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Microphones and Germs --What to Do?
https://mail.karaokescenemagazine.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=13566		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  jamkaraoke [ Tue May 13, 2008 5:13 am ]
Post subject:  Microphones and Germs --What to Do?
I'm one of those KJ's that usually likes to keep a MIC just for himself ......I've found out though that every experianced singer wants to use MY mic because they think its better, louder, eq'd better  etc etc etc.  Truth is it's not !!!

Singer used the mic last Saturday and when they where done gave the mic back to me
I grab THAT MIC ( should have used another one) to make the GOOD JOB  / YADDA YADDA comments  and ACCIDENTLY TOUCHED THE MIC TO MY LIPS in the process
:puke:  :puke:  It was wet and smelly Yeeech!!!!!!!  I might as well have kissed this girl myself  :puke:  :bigcry:   ANYWAY ....I am in search of some disinfectant wipes I can buy that won't hurth the mic ( so they can't be too wet)  

Any suggestions !!!!!

Not just for me but I think I need to wipe down the mics after every singer so no one gets some disease!!!!
Author:  DJMojo [ Tue May 13, 2008 5:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Microphones and Germs --What to Do?
I keep Lysol wipes stage right. They maybe a little wet but the moisture evaporates quickly. Hasnt seem to hurt my mics yet.

Mojo
Author:  Nlouch [ Tue May 13, 2008 7:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Microphones and Germs --What to Do?
I keep a mic purely for myself.  Nobody touches it.  Ever.

The other mics get the head taken off after each show (if I can be bothered) - wiped down with an antibacterial wipe and then re-packaged.

If someone puts the mic too close to their lips, I make a note and tell them they don't need to after the song.  I tell them that other people may do this too - and it's a HUGE germ spreader.  They tend t take it on board - cos it suddenly dawns on them that it's not nice.
Author:  Lonman [ Tue May 13, 2008 7:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Microphones and Germs --What to Do?
Wipes are only good for the appearance of germ busting.  What about the foam underneath the metal screen?  SPONGE!  
Wipes will give the illusion during a show, but take the balls off the mics (most will unscrew) & take them home nightly & boil them out.
Author:  Nlouch [ Tue May 13, 2008 7:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Microphones and Germs --What to Do?
Won't boiling ruin the sponge?
Author:  jamkaraoke [ Tue May 13, 2008 7:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Microphones and Germs --What to Do?
Lonman @ Tue May 13, 2008 10:25 am wrote:
Wipes are only good for the appearance of germ busting.  What about the foam underneath the metal screen?  SPONGE!  
Wipes will give the illusion during a show, but take the balls off the mics (most will unscrew) & take them home nightly & boil them out.


Are you suggesting boiling your balls after every show?
Author:  Lonman [ Tue May 13, 2008 7:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Microphones and Germs --What to Do?
jamkaraoke @ Tue May 13, 2008 7:33 am wrote:
Lonman @ Tue May 13, 2008 10:25 am wrote:
Wipes are only good for the appearance of germ busting.  What about the foam underneath the metal screen?  SPONGE!  
Wipes will give the illusion during a show, but take the balls off the mics (most will unscrew) & take them home nightly & boil them out.


Are you suggesting boiling your balls after every show?
As painful as it sounds, yep!
Author:  Lonman [ Tue May 13, 2008 7:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Microphones and Germs --What to Do?
Nlouch @ Tue May 13, 2008 7:29 am wrote:
Won't boiling ruin the sponge?


It will over time, but not much else will work to truly kill the germs that reside in it.  You could take the spong out, boil the ball & hand wash with an antibacterial soap as well.  As for boiling, don't boil for minutes.  Drop it into boiling water for a minute or so.
Author:  mckyj57 [ Tue May 13, 2008 7:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Microphones and Germs --What to Do?
If you use the SM-58, you can go to audiophile.net and buy a good replacement ball for only $5.00. Buy 6 of them, then rotate them nightly, boiling only once every so often. And you always have a dry one for that night's show...
Author:  Karen K [ Tue May 13, 2008 7:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Microphones and Germs --What to Do?
Almost anything you do will be ineffective, barring what Lonman has suggested. My daughter is a nurse and we had a discussion about this very subject. She said alcohol or anything used to wipe the surface must be allowed to dry completely....and yes, what is inside is still there. YUCK.  I have a mic only I use, keep it out of reach of everyone. I used to 'share' with everyone, found myself getting sick 2-3 times over the course of the winter...Not anymore.

k
Author:  Lonman [ Tue May 13, 2008 7:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Microphones and Germs --What to Do?
Or as a host, to eliminate the possibility of people wanting YOUR mic, get a wireless headset!  Can't pass that around.
Author:  Lonman [ Tue May 13, 2008 8:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Microphones and Germs --What to Do?
mckyj57 @ Tue May 13, 2008 7:46 am wrote:
If you use the SM-58, you can go to audiophile.net and buy a good replacement ball for only $5.00. Buy 6 of them, then rotate them nightly, boiling only once every so often. And you always have a dry one for that night's show...

http://www.audiopile.net/products/Micro ... t_ball.asp

May work on other brands too, just may not look right  :no:
Author:  Melly [ Tue May 13, 2008 8:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Microphones and Germs --What to Do?
i use wipes...i know...but at least its some help....and i wash my covers...
...its all so heartrending.  :yum:
Author:  Karen K [ Tue May 13, 2008 8:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Microphones and Germs --What to Do?
I almost don't want to ever bring this up with singers - there are some who all of a sudden will be really offended by using something that has been so close to another's mouth - you know, those people who automatically think they're going to get a cold by being around someone who has one...and true enough, it probably is the most efficacious way to get cold...

However, unless you have a very diligent program of disinfection going on, and you do it consistently, and you do it after every singer, it is almost futile. Has to be for appearance sake practically speaking.

I have suggested to those who are really paranoid about such things to carry their own SM58 with them - it's a quick change and even though it is THE most secure way of staying germ-free, I've not seen anyone ever do it. They worry about it for a minute, then they're over it.

I do use a 58 headset mic a lot of the time and have a cordless 58 on a stand behind me, out of reach.


k
Author:  johnny reverb [ Tue May 13, 2008 10:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Microphones and Germs --What to Do?
If you don't put your mouth on the ball, or touch it with your hands, those little guys won't leap from the ball onto your lips. From everything I've read, when it comes to spreading germs, I'd be more concerned of the part that is handled.
Author:  mckyj57 [ Tue May 13, 2008 10:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Microphones and Germs --What to Do?
Lonman @ Tue May 13, 2008 11:00 am wrote:
mckyj57 @ Tue May 13, 2008 7:46 am wrote:
If you use the SM-58, you can go to audiophile.net and buy a good replacement ball for only $5.00. Buy 6 of them, then rotate them nightly, boiling only once every so often. And you always have a dry one for that night's show...

http://www.audiopile.net/products/Micro ... t_ball.asp

May work on other brands too, just may not look right  :no:

No, for the most part it fits the SM58. I have tried it on the XM8500, the "GLS58", and some other clones. They aren't that much of a clone....
Author:  jamkaraoke [ Tue May 13, 2008 11:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Microphones and Germs --What to Do?
johnny reverb @ Tue May 13, 2008 1:01 pm wrote:
If you don't put your mouth on the ball, or touch it with your hands, those little guys won't leap from the ball onto your lips. From everything I've read, when it comes to spreading germs, I'd be more concerned of the part that is handled.


You always have a chance of GERM spreading with anything you touch that is handled by many - Your Books  / Your slips / Pencils  / and the mic handle itself.

But there is nothing that SCREAMS disinfect me like a moist microphone "ball" that has been half swallowed and spit on by some singer ( drunk or not) it happens all too often.

Instead of buying EXTRA balls and boiling them is it cheaper to buy foam covers and wash them after every show ?...or toss them if they are cheap enough ..Ill have to do some research
Author:  Lonman [ Tue May 13, 2008 11:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Microphones and Germs --What to Do?
jamkaraoke @ Tue May 13, 2008 11:40 am wrote:
johnny reverb @ Tue May 13, 2008 1:01 pm wrote:
If you don't put your mouth on the ball, or touch it with your hands, those little guys won't leap from the ball onto your lips. From everything I've read, when it comes to spreading germs, I'd be more concerned of the part that is handled.


You always have a chance of GERM spreading with anything you touch that is handled by many - Your Books  / Your slips / Pencils  / and the mic handle itself.

But there is nothing that SCREAMS disinfect me like a moist microphone "ball" that has been half swallowed and spit on by some singer ( drunk or not) it happens all too often.

Instead of buying EXTRA balls and boiling them is it cheaper to buy foam covers and wash them after every show ?...or toss them if they are cheap enough ..Ill have to do some research


Please no!  GAWD NO!  These things get SOAKED by the end of the night - nasty.  Plus you can literally watch the discoloration happen as girls with lipstick sing hold it up to their lips.  No these are worse than nothing at all.  At least the metal screen can be wiped to a appearingly dry point.
Author:  Lonman [ Tue May 13, 2008 11:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Microphones and Germs --What to Do?
johnny reverb @ Tue May 13, 2008 10:01 am wrote:
If you don't put your mouth on the ball, or touch it with your hands, those little guys won't leap from the ball onto your lips. From everything I've read, when it comes to spreading germs, I'd be more concerned of the part that is handled.


If the germ is on the mic, touching it or not the first thing you do when you get the mic to sing, inhale.  Inhale hard enough & you are literally sucking the germs straight from the mic to your mouth.  Plus the fact that you HOLD a mic, someone just gets done singing, "UH HUH SORRY IF THIS SOUNDS LIKE CRAP I HAVE A COLD UH HUH!"  Well they are now holding the mic before you, who knows if their hands are washed.  How many will sing not touching a mic?  I have seen maybe 3 or 4 in my entire karaoke memory.  Plus there was that little conversation about how many kj's DON'T use mic stands, so now there is no other alternative than to hold the mic!
Author:  mckyj57 [ Tue May 13, 2008 12:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Microphones and Germs --What to Do?
Ever wondered why kids don't get sick when they eat stuff off the floor?

Ever wonder why karaoke bars don't get down for transmitting disease? Or why I haven't been sick once in the last three years despite doing more karaoke than any other 9 people I know?

A lot of these germ considerations are actually overblown. First of all, when your lip touches the mic it is almost certain you won't get a germ that way -- unless you keep it there for seconds. The germ simply doesn't have time to make the transit. As far as sucking them in, I would say no. Unless there is some sort of particle that can get sucked, it is unlikely to escape the foam.
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