Caring for Body-Worn Microphones

Sweat, makeup and pulled cables are the biggest causes of microphone failures in theatre. A few habits make mics last much longer. Moisture, sweat and corrosion damage aren't covered by the warranty, so care matters.

Every performance

• Use sweat protection on capsules and bodypacks.
• Remove mics by holding the connector or capsule housing, never by pulling the cable.
• Unplug the mic from the pack by its plug (unlock the TA4F latch or unscrew the 3.5 mm collar first).
• Remove tape and adhesive with remover wipes, not by peeling the cable.
• Wipe mics and packs with a dry or barely damp cloth, and let them air-dry overnight. Don't seal sweaty mics in a closed case.

Storage

• Coil cables loosely; tight wraps and kinks break internal wires.
• Store in a dry, room-temperature place, away from heat and humidity.
• Take batteries out of packs for storage longer than a few days.

Cleaning

• Don't spray cleaners or liquids into the capsule or connector.
• Replace windscreens and sweat covers when they get dirty or worn.
• Never try to open a capsule or re-solder a connector yourself.

Is it wearing out?

Crackling when the cable moves, intermittent sound, or a muffled tone can mean cable or capsule wear. See Replacing a broken microphone cable and Troubleshooting before requesting repair.