Neumann Microphones and accessories

For hand-held microphones these head baskets are available as spare parts:

Cleaning the inner assembly/amplifier
The inner assemblies/amplifiers are typically enclosed in the housing and well protected from outside soiling. Cleaning will hardly ever be necessary. Only a soft brush should be used to clean off dust and soiling. Do not use any liquids or solvents, as the insulation and sensitive parts of the circuit may be harmed.

Cleaning the capsule
If this should become necessary, it strictly must be done only by a skilled serviced technician. The membrane is too delicate to be cleaned without the proper expertise.

2. Time, and applying heat to the microphone
By taking a microphone out of action for a minimum of 6 hours, before putting it back to use for another user, the infectiousness of human exhalations deposited on the metal surfaces may be significantly reduced. For plastic or cloth accessories, an extended period of 48 hours or more is needed to achieve similar results. To accelerate this procedure, Neumann microphones may be heated up to 60°C/140°F without affecting the properties of the microphone. As not all details are 100% assured facts to this day, please consult your national or regional health authorities regarding the possible transmission via surfaces.

3. Protecting microphones with foam windshields
Foam windshield are mostly used to reduce wind and pop disturbances. But they also serve to protect a microphone, at least partly, from rain, water, soiling and human exhalations. Nylon pop screens are very thin and will hardly protect the microphone from exhalations.

Cleaning foam windshields
Foam windshields may be cleaned with warm-to-hot water, up to 60°C/140°F. If necessary, dish washing liquid may be applied. Thoroughly rinse the foam and let it dry before putting it back to use. Moderate heat of up to 60°C/140°F may be applied for faster drying. Do not use ethanol, isopropanol or other liquids or solvents. Do not use the dishwasher.

4. Acoustical effects of foam windshields
Neumann foam windshields will affect the sound only slightly to moderately, depending on the thickness of the foam. Typically, the high frequencies above 5 kHz will be slightly attenuated. This can be easily remedied with some equalization of the recording. Likewise, small changes in the low frequencies, including the bass boost by proximity effect, can be remedied with a low frequency EQ.

5. Protecting microphones with plastic film/bags
This is not a typical use for microphones, and only some recommendations can be given here. The main aim is to provide help for situations where no other solution can be applied.

A foam windscreen will help, but it may not protect a microphone 100% from exhalations. So, especially for multi-user applications, additional plastic film or bags may be used as cover. Take separate disposable thin film material for each user. Use bags with no ventilation holes and dispose of them after single-use. Enclose all parts of the microphone that may become soiled.

Some hints:
- Use very thin plastic material
- Choose soft, flexible material to minimize crackling, fluttering, rustling, or rubbing noises during the recording
- Leave some air volume around the capsule (e.g. the head basket, or use a foam windshield)
- Do not tension or stretch the film tightly
- Make test recordings to become acquainted with your specific solution, how to noiselessly handle the plastic film and how to best equalize the signal

6. Acoustical effects of plastic film/bags
Plastic film or bags will affect the sound of a microphone. Still, especially for speech recordings, the response may be equalized to obtain usable quality. Typically, plastic bags will produce these effects, increasing with the thickness and stiffness of the film:

- Mid-range frequencies will be the least affected
- Roll-off at high frequencies, e.g. above 4-8 kHz
- Reduced directivity
- Reduced proximity effect at low frequencies
- Roll-off at low frequencies

7. Further notes
Omnidirectional microphones
These microphones are less affected by foam windshields and plastic bags. Contemplate the possibility of using omnidirectional microphones also for situations where otherwise you would have chosen a directive microphone. With plastic bags, a simple high frequency boost above 3 kHz may already linearize the response sufficiently.

Further Information
For further information please contact us at service@neumann.com or contact your national Neumann distributor and service partners.