Sound Guys - Do you sterilze your mic's after a show ?

4Mal · #1 06-19-2011, 11:47 AM

If so, how ?

I want to start doing that as a 'just in case' kinda service ...

I've seen the mic clean wipes, wondering if there is any better or more convenient or less expensive solution.

Thanks!

T-Bird · #2 06-19-2011, 12:17 PM

Hi.

I'm no pro, but we did occasionally sterilize the grilles of the vocal mics with denatured alcohol after a DT happy singer

.

Windscreens like this: THE T.BONE WINDSCHUTZSET WS5 - Thomann UK Cyberstore prevents most of the germs (and DT attempts) though.

For me, a mic is quite like a toothbrush, unless I share other bodily fluids with that someone, no-one uses my mic

.

Regards
Sam

keith millman · #3 06-19-2011, 04:48 PM

I'm glad to hear you guys say this. I always think it's gross to share mics. I've started to bring my own to any gigs now, just to be safe, or at least peace of mind.

JustDavid · #4 06-19-2011, 04:58 PM

Not a doctor, but I'd say you have to clean internal foam to truly sterilize a mic & not just the grille.

Best solution; invite vocalists to bring their own 58s.

pasta4lnch · #5 06-19-2011, 04:59 PM

I actually switched to a metal pop filter in my studio for easy cleaning (I kinda felt like a tool standing in line at CVS w/ stockings

)

millsbass5 · #6 06-19-2011, 05:01 PM

A guitarist/singer that I played with in a band I was in years ago pretty much had a hole RUSTED through his SM 58!! But damn!! What a singer/guitar player,though!

So,needless to say,I dubbed thee,"Dragonbreath."

pasta4lnch · #7 06-19-2011, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millsbass5

A guitarist/singer that I played with in a band I was in years ago pretty much had a hole RUSTED through his SM 58!! But damn!! What a singer/guitar player,though!

So,needless to say,I dubbed thee,"Dragonbreath."

yikes - sounds like the beginning to an episode of House

4Mal · #8 06-19-2011, 05:36 PM

That's all nice but not very practical for a sound company... The venue & artist expect mic's.

srxplayer · #9 06-19-2011, 07:24 PM

I used the mic clean wipes and we used the foam wind screens on everything.

TimmyP · #10 06-19-2011, 11:00 PM

When I remember, I wipe them down with benzalkonium chloride wipes, then a couple times per year I remove the foam liners and wash them and the grills. (They don't get used every week.)

T-Bird · #11 06-20-2011, 01:27 AM

Hi.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustDavid

Not a doctor, but I'd say you have to clean internal foam to truly sterilize a mic & not just the grille.

The foam can take the alcohol bath, at least mine did, so a minute submerged in a jar filled with alcohol sterilizes both just fine.

One of the reasons I prefer SM58's (or clones), detaching the grille is super easy and the relatively fragile capsule won't be harmed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustDavid

Best solution; invite vocalists to bring their own 58s.

IMLE not the best of solutions. You'll never know what that particular mic has gone through or if it can limp its way through the show.

The "band mics" tend to mix up with both the other bands mics and with the sound companys mics as well (intentionally or unintentionally

), so unless it's (was) a person/mic I knew, we didn't risk it.

Sometimes we should've, as the for some reason or another infuriated (metal

) singers liked to smash our mics.

Regards
Sam

allexcosta · #12 06-20-2011, 05:14 AM

I don't. If anyone has an issue with that they can always bring their mic screen balls like many singers do...

Done a few times though. Dump the mic balls for half hour in a large recipient with equal parts of water and listerine.

Kevmon66 · #13 06-20-2011, 05:21 AM

All I know is that for the past 7 years, no one has cleaned a mic in my band and it smells like it!

steveksux · #14 06-20-2011, 05:29 AM

I'd worry more about sterilizing the guitarists and lead singers.

Randy

staindbass · #15 06-20-2011, 06:08 AM

the pros spray or soak the windscreen with scope. has alcohol and kills germs.

the yeti · #16 06-20-2011, 06:28 AM

^yep. dunno for sure all that it kills, but it gets the mouth funk off.

Firesalt · #17 06-20-2011, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Mal

Do you sterilze your mic's after a show ?

Nope.

We didn't use them so most didn't care...
When I worked in the business you got what you got and most of the time that was whatever someone before you had. People are way more germiphobic now.

Jazz Ad · #18 06-20-2011, 07:04 AM

Mrs Jazz Ad is a hairdresser. She's got a spray to sterilize and sanitize her tools. I use that to clean mic grills.

prd004 · #19 06-20-2011, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustDavid

Not a doctor, but I'd say you have to clean internal foam to truly sterilize a mic & not just the grille.

Best solution; invite vocalists to bring their own 58s.

Been playing for 27 years and I've maybe met two or three singers that actually owned a mic.

WalterBush · #20 06-20-2011, 07:32 AM

While I was still actively running a lot of FOH, I used Clorox kitchen wipes on the mic screens and handles. I didn't want to submerge the wireless capsules I was using, and this seemed like a good all-around solution. As far as we know, no one got sick after singing through any of our mikes.

Now, I just bring my own mic when I'm singing. I haven't been responsible for anyone's FOH in a while but if it comes up again, I'll be bringing Clorox wipes with me. Helps get finger gook off of faders, too.