I live in Florida and the humidity here in the summer can easily reach 95%!!! It WILL wreak havock with the gear, especially if you don't have the best A/C system....be careful with a de-humidifier. They can make some noise that will out-do a properly designed HVAC system. But if you are running a project room part-time and leave it down for any length of time, a de-humidifier is probably a good idea. Are you experiencing issues like PC glitches and condenser mics "spitting" when thay are powered up? I can definitely relate!

moonbaby wrote: I live in Florida and the humidity here in the summer can easily reach 95%!!! It WILL wreak havock with the gear, especially if you don't have the best A/C system....be careful with a de-humidifier. They can make some noise that will out-do a properly designed HVAC system. But if you are running a project room part-time and leave it down for any length of time, a de-humidifier is probably a good idea. Are you experiencing issues like PC glitches and condenser mics "spitting" when thay are powered up? I can definitely relate!

Exactly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Im seeing signal lose from connections-and-or-glitches on audio processors,that only happen,when fireded up.
The humidity,is anywhere from 50-75%.
Im thinking about a putting one in my small studio,and let it run during the day-while Im away at work.
Can the amount of moisture in the air,cause damage to electronic components?

There are several issues that the high humidity will induce. Warmed-up circuit boards will "sweat" ( condensation forms on them), which being ELECTRICAL is certainly not good. And, I hate to say it, but....cockroaches are very attracted to the resultant condensation! They can actually crawl around on the attractive PCBs, leaving their slimey trails on the boards, potentially shorting them out! Sweat will also affect the metal connectors and their ability to conduct signal (sounds like you are seeing that already), as well as the connectors inside the gear, like ribbon connectors, jumpers, and the like... sure sounds like a de-humidifier is something you should have!
By the way, Eddie, did you ever get an acoustic guitar mic? Both large and small-diaphragm condenser mics can be very adversely affected by humidity. They will hiss and spit at you when powered up, some for 20-30 minutes, some ...forever(!)...

wow- just thinking about it makes me happy am in dry California... good luck guys!

moonbaby wrote: There are several issues that the high humidity will induce. Warmed-up circuit boards will "sweat" ( condensation forms on them), which being ELECTRICAL is certainly not good. And, I hate to say it, but....cockroaches are very attracted to the resultant condensation! They can actually crawl around on the attractive PCBs, leaving their slimey trails on the boards, potentially shorting them out! Sweat will also affect the metal connectors and their ability to conduct signal (sounds like you are seeing that already), as well as the connectors inside the gear, like ribbon connectors, jumpers, and the like... sure sounds like a de-humidifier is something you should have!
By the way, Eddie, did you ever get an acoustic guitar mic? Both large and small-diaphragm condenser mics can be very adversely affected by humidity. They will hiss and spit at you when powered up, some for 20-30 minutes, some ...forever(!)...

as far as the mics go?----yes,I located a NEW KSM 27,and a NEW SM81!---(man I love e-bay!).
Ive used the KSM27 last week,but I havent run into that issue "yet".
Im seeing more glitchs with connectors than anything else at present time.
Im damm shure gonaa invest in a de-humidifier!

Good choice with the Shures. They are probably much more immune to the humidity than German mics. I had a couple of U87's
and a pair of C452EB's that gave me HELL in the summer here. The humidity would give the FETs a fit, and they would take a good hour of warm-up before they would settle down and stop hissing and spitting and popping,and...pissing me off :x !!! Those mics were all stolen a couiple of years ago, and I replaced them with A-T's that aren't nearly as susceptible to that problem....I hope the @#@$#@ who ended up with them has as much trouble as I did!

moonbaby wrote: Good choice with the Shures. They are probably much more immune to the humidity than German mics. I had a couple of U87's
and a pair of C452EB's that gave me HELL in the summer here. The humidity would give the FETs a fit, and they would take a good hour of warm-up before they would settle down and stop hissing and spitting and popping,and...pissing me off :x !!! Those mics were all stolen a couiple of years ago, and I replaced them with A-T's that aren't nearly as susceptible to that problem....I hope the @#@$#@ who ended up with them has as much trouble as I did!

Im not pushing my luck----at least for a while-----.
Im not firing up the system unless I have to.
I havent had a chance to use the Shure81,but I did use the KSM27 on drums and cabs-----------theres no dought----------its a good mic.
Sorry to hear about youre mics-----Im a "very firm" believer that what goes around,comes around,in one way,or another.
Im trying top locate a de-humidier on e-bay at present time,in the mean time,Im waiting for the rain to let up----the forcast is more rain!!!!!

air

I just got out of living in Milan, Italy, it was like living and working in a sauna, air/con and a de-humid machine was essential.

Back in uk now.... ah......... fresh air...

Try a bunch of this stuff:

http://www.chemnet.com/show/damprid/eproduct/00000431.html

It's usually used in boats and RV's to prevent mildew during storage, but it works around the house too.

And not all of California is dry. I live about a block from the ocean in Dana Point and it is plenty damp here on most nights.

roguescout wrote: Try a bunch of this stuff:

http://www.chemnet.com/show/damprid/eproduct/00000431.html

It's usually used in boats and RV's to prevent mildew during storage, but it works around the house too.

And not all of California is dry. I live about a block from the ocean in Dana Point and it is plenty damp here on most nights.

Thats some interesting "stuff" there!--------------But I need to locate a de-humidifer soon!
It never rains this much here-----and I mean NEVER!
Ive located one on e-bay.
Should arrive Thursday.......with my luck.......it will stop raining by then.
But ----if it does rain again------Ill have my de-humd. ready!

[quote="I live about a block from the ocean in Dana Point and it is plenty damp here on most nights.

I live in san clemente which is about 5 minutes away from dana point. I just had to purchase a portable ac/de humidifier becuase of equipment issues exactley like you guys are describing (popping, hissing, e.t.c.) I get about a half gallon of water from the damn thing every 2 hrs, pretty scarey thinking about the moisture in the air in my studio destroying my precise investment.

My a/c has an drainage issue this week, and is backing up in the attic! I put a big old Rubbermaid "muck bucket" under the pipe,and was flabbergasted that I am collecting over 5 gallons every 8-10 hours! That is water being pulled from the air in the studio! My mic stand clutches rust as I am looking at them! To quote a recent post omn this forum buy an Italian, "I will laugh, just not to cry!" :)