Who invented the microphone windscreen?
We all know the beautiful, colorful or furry microphone windscreens in television reports and film sets. But why do they exist? How were they invented? And what is the outstanding thing along the BrandedMics windshields? In the following, we will answer all of this.
Sound waves interference through wind noise.
Wind noise and air movement are the biggest problems if you want to record audio outside. The wind sound makes a low rumbling, bass-heavy noise on the audio tape which is almost impossible to delete in later audio editing. Interrupting wind noise usually happen in the sub-500Hz range of the frequency spectrum.
This means it can damage the frequencies 85 Hz-265 Hz, which the human voice typically lies on. This causes dialogues to become completely unusable and unintelligible. To prevent wind noise from destroying audio recordings, it is recommended to use a windshield to protect the recordings to avoid wind interference.
This can be achieved by using a plastic, foam, fur, mesh, or fabric windshield. The windscreen creates a chamber around the microphone that shields it from all unwanted interrupting noises. Windscreens have different acoustic transparencies. Depending on the material, it will have a greater or lesser effect on the audio.
History of audio signals, the microphone, and their windshields
The history of the microphone is closely connected to the invention of the telephone. All began with Italian engineer Antonio Meucci, who developed a telephone based on an electromagnetic converter he invented in 1860. However, he was not granted a patent. Scottish deaf-mute teacher Alexander Graham Bell was working in the laboratory where Meucci's invention was stored, and filed a patent for a similarly technical device on 14th February 1876.
In the development of what he called the “Telephone”, Philipp Reis was the first to build a contact microphone, which he publicly presented as part of his telephone prototype in 1861. Based on the model of an earpiece, the German inventor recognized that a sound funnel covered with a membrane could be used instead of an eardrum. This sound funnel then led to a housing box.
He equipped the membrane with a platinum contact that barely touched another contact attached to the housing when at rest. Direct current was conducted through this contact and an external resistor. If there was now a sound exchange pressure on the membrane, it vibrated, causing the contacts to be pressed together more or less depending on the course of the sound waves.
With this experimental arrangement, Reis invented the contact microphone, from whose principle the carbon microphone was later developed and used in the early days of the radio for recordings.
Georg Neumann, a colleague of Reis, further developed the carbon microphone in 1923, which greatly improved the sound quality, particularly at low frequencies. However, he made a breakthrough with the development of the low-frequency (LF) capacitor microphone. The membrane and counter electrode from a capacitor that is charged with a DC voltage. The capacitor capacity changes with the movement of the membrane, from which the signal is obtained.
This transducer principle was far superior in quality to the sound recording technology of the time, and is still the standard for top-quality microphones today.
In 1928, Georg Neumann founded a company, Georg Neumann & Co KG in Berlin, to market his capacitor microphone, which is still one of the leading microphone manufacturers today. In an attempt to make sound recording better, the first windshields were developed and designed.
The first functional serial model, the Neumann CMV3, also known as the “Neumann bottle”, can be seen in many contemporary film recordings.
The first microphone with electrically switchable directional characteristics, the Neumann U47 of 1949, is also legendary and is still one of the most sought-after and expensive microphones today: a functional, well-preserved U47 is traded for around 5000 euros.
At first, stage actors and cabaret artists who now appeared on the radio found the microphone irritating. It was unusual to speak to a microphone instead of an audience. However, by the late 1920s, microphones were already sensitive enough that you didn't have to shout into them anymore.
In 1962, Gerhard M. Sessler and James Edward Maceo West invented the elected microphone, a variant of the capacitor microphone that is currently the most common microphone type with a 90% market share. Gerhard M. Sessler and Dietmar Hohm also invented the silicon microphone at TH Darmstadt in the 1980s.
FAQ
Why do microphones have foam around them?
The foam around microphones is called a windscreen. It protects the microphone from wind noise and air movement. Wind or breathing can cause loud pops in the audio signal.
When shall I use a windscreen?
Recording outside presents unpredictable circumstances. Weather can change, and it’s important to have the proper tools to overcome the obstacles that the outdoors may present. A windscreen is essential for recording outside.
Even indoors, wind can be an issue. Heating and air conditioning systems can create noise or people can cause air movement.
If you are recording indoors, place the microphone not near any source of forced air. You can use a foam windscreen as an insurance plan for unexpected winds that might occur indoors.
A windscreen is a device that is used to protect a microphone from wind noise and also from physical damage.
It is essential to use a windscreen if the microphone will be moved while in use, as wind moving past a stationary microphone is no different from a microphone moving through stationary air.
Windscreens are also effective in preventing “p-pops” in recordings, which are caused by the speaker speaking too closely to the microphone.
In addition to their primary function of reducing wind noise, windscreens also provide protection for microphones.
What types of windscreens exist?
1. Foam Windscreens
2. Synthetic Fur Wind guards or Windjammers
3. Baskets or Blimps
Which windscreen shall I choose?
1. Microphone Type and Size
In order to effectively reduce wind noise and protect your microphone, it is important to decide a windscreen that fits securely on the microphone and seals any potential leakage points. This will help to prevent air from disrupting the sound of the microphone.
Handheld microphones can typically be protected using universal foam windscreens, but be sure to check that the screen fully covers any ports or openings on the grill of the microphone.
It is possible to find universal windscreens that can be used on both large and small diaphragm condenser microphones.
2. Noise Attenuation
Attenuation, or noise reduction, is the most important factor. Directional microphones are susceptible to wind noise. For these reasons, you should decide for a fur windjammer or a basket when using a shotgun mic.
These will offer significantly more protection and ensure that the whole recording is not ruined.
3. Acoustic Transparency
There is a trade-off between noise attenuation and high frequency loss. Generally speaking, acoustic transparency will decrease with the addition of more layers.
When do I need to replace the microphone windscreen?
A windscreen is a protective cover for a microphone that helps to reduce wind noise and protect the microphone from physical damage.
However, over time, windscreens can become worn and dusty, and pieces of the windscreen may even find their way inside the microphone, potentially causing a malfunction.
Additionally, exposure to UV radiation can shorten the life of a windscreen. For these reasons, it is recommended to replace your microphone windscreen every few years in order to ensure optimal performance and protection for your microphone.
How do I need to clean the windscreen ?
To clean a foam windscreen, you can wash it in warm soapy water, rinse it in clean water, shake it to remove any water droplets, and then leave it to air dry overnight.
A clean windscreen not only looks better, but it also does a better job of keeping the grill of the microphone free from contaminants such as oils and dirt from the skin. It is important to keep your windscreen clean in order to maintain the best possible performance and appearance of your microphone.
Conclusion
The invention of microphones and their windscreens is closely related to the invention of the telephone. In the early 20th-century, wind protections were developed to conceal unwanted wind noise from the microphone diaphragm without losing high frequencies and still allowing sound waves to pass through.
Windscreens can be made out of Foam, synthetic fur or can come as a large static air chamber, which is placed around the microphone capsule. Foam windscreens protect the microphone before air movement indoors. Furry and dead air chamber windscreens are effective microphone wind protection outdoors.
It is also important to recognize what kind of microphone is used. For example, directional microphone are more sensitive than others. Brandedmic is the world leading company in producing windscreens for television or film set microphones. With their unique technique and SchulzFoam© they can create multicolored microphone windscreens.
Windscreens for Microphones of certain Brands (Neumann, Rode, Sennheiser, Shure, Yellowtec)
Windscreens and pop filters help to reduce the pressure on a microphone's element from wind, as well as popping sounds from vocalizations. No matter the weather or location, Brandedmics has a wind-damping solution for you. We offer foam windscreens, full-fur Deadcat solutions, and mesh pop screens to fit your needs.
As unbelievable as it sounds, there are nearly an inexhaustible number of choices for windscreens, just like there are types of microphones. Brandedmics has them all--foam to PVC, in every color under the sun, and offered alone or in a pack. A fair amount of microphones come with some form of the pre-installed windscreen.
Even though some microphones come with a windscreen, it might not be enough to get rid of all the air noise. To protect further, add another windscreen outside the microphone around the capsule. Get yourself a SchulzFoam© windscreen that is formed for your specific microphone type; designed to eliminate air noise without interfering with audio quality.
Coloring different wedges in front of the mic can help a monitoring engineer quickly identify them. There are also windscreens designed for specific types of microphones and recording applications; like those furry ones often used with shotgun mics on video cameras, earning them the nickname 'deadcat'.
Unsure of which windscreen to purchase? Look no further! Our Sales Engineers at Brandedmics have the most comprehensive knowledge about windscreens in the market and will be more than happy to help you decide based on what type of microphone you're working with as well as the conditions under which it'll be used.
Condenser Microphone
A condenser microphone is a type of microphone that uses electrical capacitance to convert sound waves into audio signals. The term “condenser” refers to the capacitor in the microphone, which is responsible for converting the sound waves into electrical signals. Condenser microphones are typically used in recording studios, live music performances, and other professional audio applications.
Studio Microphone
A studio microphone is a specialized type of condenser microphone commonly used in recording studios, live music performances, and other professional audio applications. It is designed for capturing superior sound quality and accuracy compared to conventional microphones. Its design typically includes a large diaphragm, which helps capture subtle nuances in sound that may be missed or muffled by.
Cardioid Microphone
A cardioid microphone is a type of condenser microphone that is characterized by its unidirectional polar pattern. This means it is most sensitive to sound sources directly in front of the microphone, while rejecting sound coming from behind or off-axis. Cardioid microphones are especially beneficial in recordings where sounds from the surroundings need to be minimized.
Lavalier Microphone
A lavalier microphone, or lapel mic, is a type of small condenser microphone that is designed to be worn on the body. It typically clips onto the clothing of performers and speakers, allowing them to move around freely while still being close enough to capture the sound they produce. The lavalier microphone has become essential for capturing sound while activities.