Can mics take a fall?

tmnt

tmnt

King of Australia
Ok, a very general question I know.

Anyway I just got an AT4073a off ebay and I can see it's been dropped as there's a tiny bit of paint missing and a slight dint into the metal circle around the xlr input.

I'll of course test the mic withing a couple days but was wondering in general what can happen when a mic takes a fall? I did the mantest (shook it, couldn't hear anything).

Also when I test it, is there anything I should spefically be trying to hear to recognize if anything internal has been damaged?

Lastly, any hints and tips specific to the AT4073a I should know?

If you hadn't already guessed I'm not much of a sound guy so any help is appreciated.

Thanks

Ian
 
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I've seen a completely ridiculous looking 4073a used on a pretty big feature (StillWater(s) and I wouldn't worry about it if it sounds good to your ears.
 
It depends on the mic...

Heartstoppingly, one of my Sanken CU-41s rolled off a table a while back table and onto a padded, carpeted floor about 2 feet down. The treble capsule's 1 micron diaphragm (the CU-41 is a unique, coaxial capsule mic) was shattered, and it will cost me about $700 to get it repaired (new capsule assembly).

Most mics though, are not as fragile. Even Neumann U87s are pretty hardy, taking substantial bumps well (usually), and even occasional drumstick bashes back in the day when many of us studio rats used them on tom-toms in a drum kit. The other side of the spectrum is something like a Shure SM57 or 58, or even more so an EV 664, which are for all intents and purposes indestructible. The 664 could be used as a hammer, a hockey puck - you name it, and it would NOT break. Only the plastic parts of an SM57 make it less durable.

Regarding your 4073, you should first do the obvious - plug in it in and record something through it (like your voice, fairly close-in, which is generally a nice wide-range source) and find out what you hear. Otherwise, if possible, compare it to another 4073 or something similar. In either case, it's a quality wide-range mic, so you should hear that even on your voice - plenty of lows, mids, and highs.

Odds are it's ok. It's a high quality studio mic built for professional use, and thus will generally take some pretty rough treatment quite well.

Best of luck.
 
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As I have often said, anything I get off ebay goes immediately to the manufacturer for a check and a tune up (if needed). This is the best way to ensure that everything is in working order.

PHil
 
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