Looking for a windscreen/sock for a VP88 -or-...

Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 8:21 pm

Hey everyone,

I'm having a very hard time finding a windscreen/sock that will fit
over my VP88 with the stock screen on it. The stock windscreen is
about 60mm, so I need to find one about 60mm x 100mm. (100mm long will
extend to just about where my suspention mount ends)

If anyone knows of any that fit these dimensions, can custom make one
to these dimensions or if you can link me to a source of acoustically
transparent faux fur, so I can make my own it would be greatly
appreciated.

/RVJ

Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 9:45 pm

http://www.rycote.com/products/index.asp

Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 10:24 pm

Obviously If I had $800 laying around I would get a rycote system or better yet a DPA Windpac, but alas I don't, so I need something that will get me by...

Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 10:41 pm

didn't know you were on a budget......sorry.

try this

http://www.joelandkaren.com/mic-zeppelin/

Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 11:02 pm

sosayu2 wrote:

didn't know you were on a budget......sorry.

try this

http://www.joelandkaren.com/mic-zeppelin/

Yeah, I have seen 3 or so DIY options out there for the windshield/suspension/windjammer combos, I'm just not quite sure on some aspects on their designs, and I would prefer to use my own PSC shockmont/stock windjammer and a furry jammer over all that. That should handle 30mph winds and such, anything past that and yeah I'd need a little more dead space around the mic.

One of the designs I've seen mentioned that the fur he used was not very transparent. The design you linked does not mention anything bad about the material, but he does not give us an example of what the mic sounds like with and without it in a controlled studio setting.

Another alternative to the rycote/dpa/lightwave system route I've seen is the PSC winboss. http://www.raycom.co.uk/psc/windboss.html The only negative thing I have read about it, is that the handle mount is a bit flimsy.

Anywho thanks for the replies!
Guess I will find what I'm looking for sooner or later.

Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 11:09 pm

what is your use for this, indoors or outdoors? i guess i'm having a hard time understanding because i'm not sure of the details.

Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 11:38 pm

sosayu2 wrote:

what is your use for this, indoors or outdoors? i guess i'm having a hard time understanding because i'm not sure of the details.

Outdoors with light wind.

Posted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 4:15 am

I've been informed that the rycote Special 155 that is 50mm in diameter fits the vp88 with the stock windscreen still attached.

I guess this means its stretchy? or that they are too lazy to make a 60mm to fit comfortably.

Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2006 11:49 pm

Vince, You're going to laugh at this; a totally silly and ridiculous idea. You can take it or leave it, but it worked for me recently.

In June, I was doing a live, outdoor sound gig (HS Graduation....ugh!) We had planned to used some AT 4040 and 4050 mics on the chorus, orchestra, etc., but to our dumb surprise, it was quite windy - more than we expected. (Duh! Who knew, eh?? Rolling Eyes

) I had plenty of regular foam windscreens for all the SM58's we were using - on the podium, HH wireless, etc., but the condensers were in real danger of being useless due to too much wind. (I wasn't using my DPA's either, at least THEY had their own foam screens....)

I also had some regular black panty hose that usually does the trick on the condensers but this time it wasn't enough. The wind was much more than I expected, and it was cutting right through the nylon and I could hear it slapping the diaphragms.

Coincidently, I had just bought a couple of extra pairs of black socks (from "The Walking Company" of all places). I had a spare pair of socks with me to change into later (this was an all day gig, on a football field, and I knew my dogs were going to be barking later, so I brought these new, thick socks for a comfortable change at the end of the gig. They guy at the store kept telling me how good they'd be for comfort, and extra moisture absorption. Rrrright!)

I never got to wear 'em; it turns out the socks - nice and thick, about $10 per pair - were a perfect fit around the AT4050's. I ran them over the mic body once (down to the toe) and then folded the extra back one more time for a second layer.

I didn't expect there to be enough of a separation between the surface of the sock and the mic to be of any use, but it worked. I also expected a lot of loss of high end due to the sock, but there wasn't; not even with two layers. When the wind was at its worst (blowing right into the mics) I did have to do some low-end rolloff, but at no time was the sound actually ruined by the wind-shear/tearing sound that normally happens. Some rumble, but definitely treatable.

So, while I thought the socks were overpriced and gimmicky at the shoe store, it turns out they're damn good for live wind-reduction, and I'm keeping the socks in the live (outdoor mic) kit instead of wearing 'em.

Here's the link to the socks; trust me, these things worked better than I ever thought possible: (available in black or white. Get the black ones, and use some dark rubber bands to dress it all down nicely.)

http://www.thewalkingcompany.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=213694

Who knew? Twisted Evil

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