It's time for Part 3 of ModMic Pro Tips! After several months more of feedback and ideas from customers, we've got a couple new gems to share!
A New Challenger Appears: Segmented Cable Wraps!
In the past we talked a bit about how to use the included cable wraps in conjunction with the our “S” clips. We now have a bold new technique that may work better for those who want the grip power of the wrap with the flexible nature of the "S" clips. All you need to do is take the included cable wrap and cut it into sections of 2 inch strips, making sure to seal both ends with a lighter to prevent fraying. Then space them down your cables much like you would the “S” clips. We found that this was an excellent medium point between the strength of the wire wrap and the flexibility of the clips.
Trouble in ModMic Town? (Trouble) Shoot it like a Pro!
You plugged in your ModMic and thought "This ain't all I thought it would be" - maybe you have a hum, a buzz, or a crackle. Well, we pride ourselves on BEING all you'd thought we'd be, so there may be something wrong that we can fix and get you back to loving everything we stand for.
To start, if you have a lot of background noise as we explain in our first Pro Tips article, you can usually fix all your problems with a simple USB adapter. We go into detail in the above link as to what that noise you're hearing actually is.
But wait, what if that doesn't fix it!?
Well, next up we need to diagnose where the noise is coming from!
Step 1: Test your ModMic as is on a battery powered device. This could be a laptop not plugged into a wall or a cell phone, tablet, or really anything. This is a test to see if "dirty power" is getting in the way of your clean signal. Fixing dirty power can be pretty tricky. Reach out to our Customer Service and we can help diagnose and suggest products to clean up your problem... Or you could always move. The ModMic is worth it!
Step 2: With this battery powered device go somewhere away from routers, lights, cell phones or other electronics. Heck, maybe even step outside (I know, it's scary out there). This is a test to see if some other device is interfering with your audio signal. If it is, fixing it may be as easy as turning off devices, replacing light bulbs, or shielding the audio cable.
Step 3: (For ModMic 5 users) Beginning with the Mute Switch, remove each link between the base of the unit (the Mic and the little cord) and do a recording test after removing each. For example, first remove the Mute Module and record. Then remove the 1 meter cable and record. Then the 2 meter cable, at which point your face should be very close to the device you're recording into! This tests each possible component for a failure. Don't worry, if there's a problem with your cables or mute switch we'll replace it- fo' free! Hit us up at our Customer Service Page for a replacement.
Step 4: If you've done all this and you're still getting problems across multiple devices you may have a broken mic! We do our best to ensure the quality of our products, but every now and then a ModMic makes it into the wild that just isn't up to code. Contact us immediately at and we'll fix you up.
And now a word from the ModMic Longevity Program:
The last tip for this installment of Pro Tips is more of a warning: We field a lot of questions about using the ModMic with phantom power from mixers and other audio interface devices, so we want to be clear about how to safely use phantom power with your ModMic.
The ModMic can safely function between 3v and 12v of phantom power or 3.5-5v of Plug-In Power. NEVER USE 48V phantom power with the ModMic as it will damage the capsule.
For you XLR lovers out there, stay tuned as we're hard at work building a solution that will fulfill your 48v desires.