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How to Use Microphones With the Grilles Removed

All microphones contain a thin paper, plastic or aluminum diaphragm, which captures vibrations in sound that other microphone components convert into audio signals. A metal grille, typically lined with a thin sheet of foam padding, protects the fragile diaphragm from rapid air movement that may cause it to break. The microphone is fully functional without the protective grille -- in fact, some microphones contain no built-in diaphragm protection measures -- but the diaphragm cannot be placed in the path of fast-moving air.

Instructions

    • 1

      Rotate the grille counterclockwise to detach it from the microphone body.

    • 2

      Determine whether the sound source causes air movement. Brass, woodwinds, large drums and vocalists move large amounts of air to create sound.

    • 3

      Find the distance from the sound source where air stops moving. Attach the microphone to a stand and place it at this location, with the microphone pointing toward the sound source.

    • 4

      Attach the female end of a three-prong XLR cable to the microphone. Attach the male end of the cable to a preamp or mixing console.

    • 5

      Increase the volume on the preamp or mixing console until the peak hits just under the "0 dBu" line.

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Recording Music

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