Members lmiller1220 Posted December 16, 2005 Members Share Posted December 16, 2005 Hey all- Newb-esque mic question: Just got my first tube mic yesterday (a used MXL V69ME). I believe I've read in various product reviews, etc., that people tend to let mics warmup for a period (24 hours? less? more?) before recording. Can anyone shed any light on what is behind this practice and if it I am indeed recalling correctly/that this is AOK to do? The V69 has its own power supply (for those not familiar w/it) and I want to be sure I don't make any rookie mistakes by doing something I shouldn't... Thanks in advance for the knowledge! LM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O'Keefe Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 I usually let tube mics warm up for one hour or so before tracking. That allows things to, well, get warm, the circuit to stabilize and everything to settle down. If you try to just turn it on and immediately track with it, the tone can / will change as the mic warms up... so give it a bit between powering it on and tracking with it. Also, it's a good idea to let it cool down for an hour or so between turning it off and moving it / taking it down. IMO, that helps with tube life. Congrats on your new mic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members where02190 Posted December 16, 2005 Members Share Posted December 16, 2005 Minimum hour here for the toob mics, and if they will be used on consecutive days, we just leave them on. Also, we always position them with the element down to keep the heat away from it from the tube. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lmiller1220 Posted December 16, 2005 Author Members Share Posted December 16, 2005 Thanks, Phil and where! To ask what is probably a horribly inane question as follow-up: By "position them with the element down", I'm assuming you just mean placing the mic upside down? Thanks again!! LM Now I actually have to (gulp) sing into it. Poor mic. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O'Keefe Posted December 17, 2005 Share Posted December 17, 2005 He means with the diaphragm closest to the floor, with the bulk of the mic body "above" the diaphragm / windscreen part of the mic. So yes, you might think of that as being "upside down". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members where02190 Posted December 17, 2005 Members Share Posted December 17, 2005 Right, upside down so the heat from the tube doesn't travel up towards the element. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lmiller1220 Posted December 17, 2005 Author Members Share Posted December 17, 2005 Thanks for handling my noob-ness with kind responses! You guys kick a$$. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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