This depends on whether you want to record in actual rain or just protect
outdoor mics from rain damage between showers.
If you want to make recordings while it is raining, you will need do
distance the rain shielding from the mic itself or the rain will sound
explosive.
Foam or false fur will allow rain to enter the material to a certain
distance and will eventually saturate the foam or fur. Foam windshields wil=
l
not protect a mic from the water unless there is a gap to allow the water t=
o
collect or drain away.
A waterproof cover like a tent or "umbrella" over a mic rig will protect a=
damp-resistant mic for some time but rain hitting it will still be noisy.
You can record safely in a verandah, doorway or car, but its acoustics will=
affect the recording to a greater or lesser extent.
If a mic gets damp, disconnect any power source immediately and put it in a=
poly bag until it gets up to room temperature to avoid condensation, then
let it dry slowly. Alternatively if you want to make a habit of recording i=
n
the rain, use a sealed box with _freshly dehydrated_ silica gel. It has a
very limited absorption capacity and usually needs to be dehydrated before=
use. Those little packets included in purchases are nearly all saturated by=
the time your purchase is opened. It takes an hour or two at 150 C (250F) t=
o
dehydrate silica gel.
BTW only the coloured silica gel granules are potentially toxic if eaten -=
hence the health warning often seen. Powdered silica gel is used in some
food products.
In practice, silica gel will absorb about 20% of its weight of water vapour=
.
David Brinicombe
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