Specifications

119
Windscreens and Popscreens
Which popscreen or windscreen is right for
my microphone?
Before taking up this question, one should first consider
the choice of microphone type.
With a SCHOEPS supercardioid, the level of noise in
mild to moderate wind will be some 2 to 5 dB higher
than with a SCHOEPS cardioid under similar conditions.
But the difference in wind noise pickup between pres-
sure transducers and pressure gradient transducers
generally (i.e. omnidirectional microphones vs. direc-
tional microphones as a class) can be as much as 20 dB.
Thus when wind noise is a factor, one should always
consider whether an omnidirectional microphone could
perhaps be used. Furthermore, it should be considered
that a windscreen will affect the low-frequency polar
pattern of a directional microphone (see below).
One widely useful choice of capsule would be the
switchable-pattern MK 5 (omnidirectional / cardioid).
In general, when comparing two windscreens which
are equally effective, the smaller one will always have
a greater adverse effect on sound quality. If two wind-
screens are the same size, the one which is more ef fec-
tive will have the greater adverse influence on sound
quality – altering the microphone’s frequency response
and (with directional microphones) the polar pattern
as well. Thus it is advisable to select a windscreen that
is only as effective as is really necessary, and perhaps
to use a larger windscreen rather than a smaller one
that has the required degree of effectiveness.
Establishing some terms:
Popscreens are only for indoor use, to reduce the air
currents produced when singers or speakers pro-
nounce consonants such as “p” or “t”.
Close speech guards are for use in moderate air cur-
rents and with microphones on moving boom arms,
and / or as heavier-duty popscreens.
Windscreens suppress even more strongly the distur-
bances due to air motion, making it possible to
record outdoors.
Screens for pressure transducers (MK 2, MK 2H, MK 2S,
MK 3, omnidirectional setting of MK 5 and MK 6)
The most suitable windscreens generally are those made
of homogeneous, fine open-pore foam. They are also
the simplest and least expensive choice.
Effect on sound quality: Limited to a high-frequency
rolloff which can be corrected with equalization or
by choosing a brighter sounding capsule.
Effect on polar response: None.
Practical suggestions: Adequate protection should be
available from a light foam windscreen (B 5) for mild
wind or a thicker windscreen (W 5) for stronger wind.
Further protection would require a basket-type wind-
screen with fur-like covering. Since wind noise can
cause extremely high output levels at low frequencies,
the input of the equipment to which the microphone
is connected can become overloaded, which may cre-
ate the false impression that the microphone itself is
being overloaded. Thus one might also consider using
a low-cut filter (CUT 1 or LC 60).
The following combinations have worked particularly
well in practice: Capsule MK 2S or MK 3, foam wind-
screen W 5 or W 5 D, and Active Low-cut Filter CUT 1
or in-line filters LC 60 or LC 120.
Hollow foam windscreens and basket-type wind-
screens can also be used.
Effect on sound quality: Again the effect is restricted
to the high frequencies, but in addition to the rolloff,
a slight unevenness of response is introduced. This
will depend on the capsule type, the diameter of the
basket, the position of the microphone within the
basket and the possible use of a fur-like “overcoat.”
The degree of wind noise suppression will depend
on the thickness of the foam and the ”overcoat.”
Effect on polar response: Slight, and limited to the
high frequencies.
Screens for pressure gradient transducers such as the
cardioid MK 4 or supercardioid MK 41
For this case we recommend windscreens that have an
enclosed volume of air. There are two types: hollow
foam windscreens and basket-type windscreens. The
latter type is often augmented by an optional fur-like
covering which increases its effectiveness.
Effect on sound quality: There is some reduction of
low-frequency response, since the pressure differ-
ence between the front and rear sound inlets of the
capsule is made smaller by the basket structure. At
high frequencies, in addition to a slight rolloff, a
certain unevenness of response is introduced. This
will depend on the capsule type, the diameter of the
basket, the position of the microphone within the
basket and the possible use of a fur-like “overcoat.”
Windscreens with this type of covering (e.g. W 20 R 1)
are especially effective because no wind turbulence
will arise at their surface while any existing turbu-
lence will be reduced.
Effect on polar response: At low frequencies the
decreasing pressure gradient component will cause
the directional pattern to become more nearly omni-
directional. In extreme cases a supercardioid may
take on a cardioid pattern at low frequencies, while
a cardioid capsule’s pattern may resemble that of a
wide cardioid or an omnidirectional capsule.
Practical suggestions: The hollow windscreens
B 5 D and W 5 D are suitable for mild to moderate
wind conditions. In strong wind, the largest practical
basket-type windscreen should be used (e.g. WSR MS)
with a fur-like outer covering.
Perhaps an optimal balance of size and effectiveness
can be achieved by using the W 20 R 1 windscreen
and either the Active Low-cut Filter CUT 1 or the in-
line filters LC 60 or LC 120.