1/8 countryman plug has some kind of black corrosion - how can i clean and prevent it

[macdabby]

I have a countryman b6 mic that i use with a sennheiser wireless g3 system. I am getting a little background hiss that i never noticed before. it goes away if i unplug the mic from the transmitter but leave the transmitter on. Not sure if it's still transmitting or not. But i noticed that on the plug of the mic itself, there is some kind of black discoloration. I tried to rub it off but i'm not sure of a good way to clean it. I'm surprised that such an expensive mic wouldn't have a gold plated terminal

 

[Steve House]

Try contact cleaner, switch cleaner, or TV tuner cleaner. With the demise of Radio Shack not sure of a source to recommend.

 

[Rick R]

Caig's DeoxIT ( caig.com ) is a staple in the recording studio.
Otherwise, the green dish/pot washing 'scrubbies' with some alcohol will remove crud too. I prefer 190-proof Everclear, cause ya can drink it afterwards... I used it for cleaning analog tape heads/transports back in my studio daze.

"i unplug the mic from the transmitter but leave the transmitter on. Not sure if it's still transmitting or not"
- If the receiver's RF indicator is illuminated it's transmitting ...

 

[Paul F]

.... I'm surprised that such an expensive mic wouldn't have a gold plated terminal

If it is contamination, gold plating would not help. Nickel plating is highly effective. Gold plating is over rated and is mostly a marketing gimmick in consumer applications. Gold should only be used when both the plug and receptacle are gold plated. So you are better off with nickel.

 

[paulears]

Just a thought, but tarnished contacts become intermittent, they don't hiss. However, water or condensation often causes hiss if it gets into the capsule, so hiss AND a tarnished connector suggest it got wet? Condensation, rain, other water or moisture. Has this happened?