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Please help solve a microphone mystery

Tunathedog

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Dec 27, 2024
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I have two Röde M2 (stage condensor) mics. Mostly they have been in my home studio, working beautifully. I took them out for one gig a month ago. They worked fine there, but when I tried to use them again at home last week they had both become very weak. I've tried different cables and different amps, but the problem persists. They're now a lot quieter than my SM58, having been significantly louder. It's not a phantom power issue, as when I turn off phantom power they go completely dead.
On Röde's advice I packed them away with silica bags for a couple of days, but it made no difference. I don't think they're still under guarantee so repair might well cost more than replacement, but before I give up I just want to hear if anyone has any suggestions. The fact that they both developed exactly the same problem at exactly the same time suggests that it's not caused by a severe drop or similar (which didn't happen anyway), so what on earth could it be? And is it fixable?
Thanks!
 

Says 10 year waranty.

Edit: Yes they have to be registered.
 
I would wonder about the phantom power too. These should work on 24 to 48 volts according to spec, but if you have less or some problem is limiting current in your microphone preamp phantom power that could explain it. If you know someone with another interface, try them on another unit.
 
There's an on-off switch.

Work that back and forth a few times and see if that helps. I'm wondering if some sweat/moisture has got in there.


Chris
 
Hi All

Thanks for your replies and tips. I did wonder about the phantom power, but I've tried it in two separate mixers, both with 48v (and with which the mics worked perfectly before). Also, I tried another condenser mic that takes 48v, and that's working fine through the same cables into the same inputs of the same mixers. I also tried moving the switches back and forth a few times, but it had no effect (plus I'd stored them in a sealed bag with their silica packs for 48 hours beforehand, so hopefully any moisture's gone by now). On the warranty question, I need to check (and try to remember what password I might have used), but I don't think I ever did get around to registering them - which obviously I now regret big time.
 
I wonder if the SPL limit of the capsules was exceeded equally among the two, or some electrical fate befell them. That might explain why they are exhibiting the same issue.
 
Thanks, Gforce. If I understand it, exceeding the SPL limit means too loud noise going into the mics. If that's the case, I doubt it. I sing loud, but not that loud, and the other mic was being used by someone with a much quieter voice. As for the electrical fate - maybe, though I don't know what that would be. We had the only condenser mics that night, but the board is a high-quality one and we had a professional sound engineer helping us. Could a strong magnetic field on the way home - again, I can't think what it would have been, but better to keep an open mind - have damaged them? I really hope I can get them working again, as they are lovely mics.
 
Thanks, Gforce. If I understand it, exceeding the SPL limit means too loud noise going into the mics. If that's the case, I doubt it. I sing loud, but not that loud, and the other mic was being used by someone with a much quieter voice. As for the electrical fate - maybe, though I don't know what that would be. We had the only condenser mics that night, but the board is a high-quality one and we had a professional sound engineer helping us.
Maybe the voltage of the phantom supply of this board got too high and killed the electronics in the mics.
 
I think company's advice should be the best bet. They seam to think it's a humidity issue. those tiny bags are not really made to actively dehumidify.
here in (humid) Brazil we have these things that literally suck the water in:

1735348865222.png

 
I think company's advice should be the best bet. They seam to think it's a humidity issue. those tiny bags are not really made to actively dehumidify.
here in (humid) Brazil we have these things that literally suck the water in:

View attachment 416866

Thanks. It was Rode who said 24 hours with the silica sachet should be enough, but I've hung one mic in front of a dehumidifier machine now to see if that helps. I'll send an update.
 
Thanks. It was Rode who said 24 hours with the silica sachet should be enough, but I've hung one mic in front of a dehumidifier machine now to see if that helps. I'll send an update.
You have to dry and regenerate the silica gel or silica bag beforehand.
At approx. 60° in the oven for approx. 4 hours, definitely not in the microwave.
And not hotter, overheated drying agent is destroyed and can no longer be regenerated.

Then put the microphones in the bag with the silica bags for approx. 48 hours.
 
You have to dry and regenerate the silica gel or silica bag beforehand.
At approx. 60° in the oven for approx. 4 hours, definitely not in the microwave.
And not hotter, overheated drying agent is destroyed and can no longer be regenerated.

Then put the microphones in the bag with the silica bags for approx. 48 hours.
Thanks, Roland! I'll try that.
 
I really appreciate everyone's suggestions and engagement! If this helps (and I suspect it won't), I just tried one mic and found that if I turned OFF phantom power, the mic suddenly worked at full power - for about 20 seconds, then it went dead.
 
I really appreciate everyone's suggestions and engagement! If this helps (and I suspect it won't), I just tried one mic and found that if I turned OFF phantom power, the mic suddenly worked at full power - for about 20 seconds, then it went dead.
This could actually be moisture in the electronics.
Don't try anything else until you've dried it.
 
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