Efficient yet affordable wind protection for 20 mm diameter microphones

While searching for better wind protection for the ORTF microphone, I came across a tutorial by artist Sara Lana. I found a perfectly fitting rubber grommet, which means that the grip ball does not need to be glued. Nevertheless, a plugged-in microphone stays firmly in place. Together with a small alteration tailor in my neighbourhood, we developed a professionally sewn faux fur cover. The faux fur is made of polyacrylic and has a pile length of 4 cm. Installation takes only seconds and the effect is impressive.

Windshield set on Etsy

The windscreen fits any microphone with a shaft diameter of 20 mm. It is light enough that two of them can be carried on the ORTF microphone by it's shock mount. The slight forward weight can be balanced with the small ball head, which is included in the ORTF set.

Compared to the Rode WS8 I've used before, wind noise reduction is improved by almost 20 dB. Direct comparisons with the extremely expensive products from Rycote or Radius Windshields are still pending, but I suspect it will be just as effective against wind noise.

Test with hair dryer

A hair dryer is pointed directly at a Rode NT5 and moved from left to right and back again. At a distance of approximately 60 cm, the blast of air repeatedly hits the microphone. The level was deliberately set low to prevent clipping as much as possible. Here is the result: