Large Diaphram Condenser acting up

[supersam]

I have an Audio Technica AT4050 Condenser mic, and it's been doing this weird thing lately. I've had it for probably 8 years and this problem pops up from time to time. When singing into it, it occasionally will cut out and make some weird noises for about 5 seconds and then return to normal. If I watch the sound bar for that channel/mic on the computer screen, it will start jumping up and down and I will get some weird low frequency noises. The vocals that I'm recording will be completely gone while it's bouncing around for the 5 seconds. I can trigger it if it get's hit real loud or too close with vocals, or by wind from your breath. I always use a pop filter so wind is not a problem, but when I was trouble shooting I noticed that. Any ideas?

[Chud]

Sounds like an internal connection has come loose or disintegrated and is causing intermittent signal loss. Pull it apart and have a look.

[winny pooh]

You could start by reflowing all the solder joints on the internal circuitboard

[supersam]

Thanks for the help. I'll try opening it up and have a look.

[jmczaja]

Dirty capsule, perhaps? Are you using a pop/wind screen? My U87 had a similar problem at one point in it's life...

[Geoff738]

I'm also wondering if it's being stored in a dusty and/or humid environment (like out on a stand (uncovered) in a basement?)

My good mics get stored in a drawer that has a few of those silica gel packages.

Cheers,
Geoff

[supersam]

The studio is in the basement, not especially humid, but maybe a little more than upstairs. I've always been super careful with it, and always use a pop screen. But I don't store it when not in use. It's always on the stand, however I always keep a cover on it when I'm not using it. Maybe humidity is the issue. I'm am thinking some kind of loose connection though, because it sounds GREAT otherwise, and the only time it cuts out is when it gets hit hard with vocals up really close, and definitely when I was troubleshooting and didn't use a pop screen and some wind from my breath hit it. When I use it correctly and with a pop screen it doesn't have issues, so it's not really a big deal, but it's still a little concerning since it's a $600 mic.

[jmczaja]

FWIW, sounds like normal operation.. Condenser mics tend to not like getting hit with 'hot' breath.. Use the pop screen, sing approx 6 - 8 inches from the mic and dont worry about it!

[supersam]

Thanks. I feel better about it. :)

[Chud]

Originally Posted by jmczaja

FWIW, sounds like normal operation.. Condenser mics tend to not like getting hit with 'hot' breath.. Use the pop screen, sing approx 6 - 8 inches from the mic and dont worry about it!

I'd have to take issue with it sounding like "normal operation." If you overload the diaphragm (and it can handle 149db without the pad) it shouldn't be completely cutting out and making "weird noises" for any amount of time, let alone five seconds. The recorded vocal would be overblown and distorted but not absent and replaced by bouncing electrical gremlins.

Regardless, you definitely do not sound like you are experiencing what should be normal operation for a mic of that caliber and age. Check the capsule, wiring & connections, reflowing the circuit board may be a little extreme for an 8 year old mic but I'd check all flows anyway to make sure.

Either that or just sing softly and carry a spare mic.

[jmczaja]

Originally Posted by Chud

I'd have to take issue with it sounding like "normal operation." If you overload the diaphragm (and it can handle 149db without the pad) it shouldn't be completely cutting out and making "weird noises" for any amount of time, let alone five seconds. The recorded vocal would be overblown and distorted but not absent and replaced by bouncing electrical gremlins.

No need to take issue, it's just how it is... A condenser mic is sensitive to moisture in the first place and can become even 'more' sensitive over time as debris collects on the capsule. This can cause the mic to cut out and produce odd noises when you breath/sing/yell (moisture) directly into the mic without a windscreen/distance. It's not a matter of 'overloading the diaphragm' and yes, it will cause the mic to cut out a make strange noises for a few seconds. Even a brand new condenser mic is not immune to moisture sensitivity, it's the nature of this type of mic. It's typically not recommended to sing too close to a condenser mic for this very reason, hence the windscreen.

-j

[fezz parka]

Moisture is not your friend. That 4050 is a nice mic.