Shure microphone

[ELSOL102]

I have a Shure Beta 58A mic....I've been using it everyday in the subway for 2 years. It seems that it doesn't have the volume it used to have. Is it worth fixing and who would look at it? Is there some maintenance I should be doing on my microphones? thanks.

[foldedpath]

With daily use like that, the first thing to try is cleaning it. Dirt buildup in the foam can alter or reduce the sound. Cleaning is easy; here's an article on the Shure site on how to do it:

http://shure.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/sh...php?p_faqid=72

If that doesn't help, you might need to send it in for service, but I'll bet this is what it needs.

[Tim2723]

In damp places nasty films and corrosion can build up on connectors as well and degrade signal strength. Check the mic and both ends of the cable. Your cable can degrade over time also, and a new one might be the fix.

[foldedpath]

Good point from Tim. If you've been using the same cable daily for 2 years, you might consider just replacing it with a new one (as well as cleaning the mic). That's a lot of wear and tear on connectors and the cable jacket. Cables are often the first things to fail... or worse, fail slowly and intermittently... in a PA system.

[Rob Gerety]

No, no, no. Don't listen to these guys - here is what you need to do.