Windshields

Microphone windshields are often overlooked audio accessories, but if you are recording outdoors then they are essential. Mic windshields do exactly what they say – shield your mic from wind noise that can spoil your recording. Shotgun mics are very prone to wind noise as they are directional, but even omni-directional mics need wind protection. There are three basic types of microphone windshield: foam windscreens, windsocks or windjammers, and blimps. Foam windscreens are fine for using indoors, while windsocks or windjammers are made from a foam and faux fur combo and are good for using outdoors in winds of up to six metres per second. The last level of wind protection is a blimp, which is made from a plastic mesh material with a thin layer of foam inside the mesh and used when wind speed exceeds 6 metres per second.