Karaoke Forums

With it being flu and cold season I'm a little concerned about spreading germs on the mics. I just got over an aweful flu bug myself. I've had people ask me if I wipe down the mics at night. I've never heard of such a thing. I don't use mic screens they just get wet from so many people using them, gross. I notice some patrons put their lips right to the mic - they're asking for trouble.

Do any of you disinfect your mics at night? and if so what do you use?

Do any of you worry about catching something from a mic?

Funny story - I was singing at a club where I knew the KJ. He was coughing and told me he had just swallowed a piece of popcorn someone left behind on his mic. eewww!

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[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

If I go out to sing I bring my own mic and just unplug the public mic and pop on my Shure Beta 58. The Beta58 is designed for up close and personal use ...as in putting your lips right on it. Im the only one who use's my 58 for the sole purpose of me keeping away from the Flu or any Herpes related problems.

Some Chick's think Im Real Happy to see them until They see me pull the 58 out of my pocket.

It works for me..

Lysol wipes...

and Mr October, hopefully you ASK before you just pop off a mic! I'd be poppin' off yer head by doin' such stuff without permission!

   Yeah well,  If I had a nickel for each time a female came up to me and asked;
"Is that an electret tie-pin mic in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?", I'd be able to afford to purchase a macho Beta-58 too.

Hey Mr October--

What do you do when you come across a show like mine where the KJ has evolved and my SM58 has no cord for you to unplug?  You carry a spare cord in your pants or just take the primadonna act down the road to the next show?  I dunno what I'd have done if someone just came up and popped my mic off the cord--might have had to go all knightshow on their @ss!  LOL

I wipe the mics before each show with Chlorox disinfecting wipes (This makes them smell nice and clean too--gets rid of the smoky bar smell), provide a jug of hand sanitizer for singers to use when they are finished, and if they want to stick the mic in their mouth, then I guess that's their prerogative.  They can resolve those issues with their physician and/or therapist.  

I understand that wiping the mics before the show is really more psychological than anything, since it's only good for the first singer, hence the hand sanitizer.  If you want to carry something USEFUL in your pocket, make it a small bottle of hand sanitizer.  Look at it this way--I wipe my toilet down with sanitizing wipes and we'll assume it's germ free.  Hypothetically speaking, you shouldn't have a problem putting your  hands on the rim of said toilet since you just saw me sanitize it.  Someone comes in and uses the toilet--you wanna put your hands on it now?  Me neither--pass the purel!

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Spreading the karaoke gospel

Hey Mr October--

What do you do when you come across a show like mine where the KJ has evolved and my SM58 has no cord for you to unplug?  You carry a spare cord in your pants or just take the primadonna act down the road to the next show?  I dunno what I'd have done if someone just came up and popped my mic off the cord--might have had to go all knightshow on their @ss!  


Lol... Calm Down Beavis's

I only sing at one place usually and just use this Approach during the Flu Season. I Cleared this with the 2 K/J's in Advance They have no Problem with it. They understand the purpose.

You carry a spare cord in your pants or just take the primadonna act down the road to the next show?

Actually I do Carry A Mic cord to one K/J's Show, She Keeps it Set for me.

primadonna act

No That would Be Post Madonna.

Gheesh this is soposed to be the friendly holiday season.


BTW I'm Still Healthy ....No Flu Yet

Some pictures of my Post Madonna act are posted in my Gallery. It brings in too much Money for me to afford getting Sick. Im allready Booked for 2006 Every Month

Merry Christmas!!

Uh oh....I'm spreading. .
I like it when the KJ turns up the voice volume...then I can just hold the mic about a foot away. Or maybe no volume increase is needed...I scream the lyrics like the amateur that I am.
I see mr october mentioned the same concern about herpes related viruses that I mentioned over in the singer's forum. I thought my worries were a little extreme, but apparently not.
Who knows where the heck all those mouths have been?  :shock:  

Uh oh....I'm spreading. .

Double posting again.

I've seen people bring their own spongy windscreen thingers...

I mean... they're cheap as dirt and it blocks SOME germs....

but yah.... I imagine some anti-bacterial wet ones or Lysol wipes would do the trick nicely!

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It is nice to know that you guys have benn using wipes for years and not had any problems. I do worry something with a chemical as strong as bleach might harm the mics.

Does anyone have a negative view on using wipes?

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

I like the idea, and will be picking up some Clorox wipes on my next trip to Walmart (can't shop anywhere else since the wifey works there..)  We usually have hand sanitizer for us, just never thought about setting it out for others...

Any other do's or don'ts for cleaning the mic's?

Please help - need more replys

Do you disinfect mics or not?

Will wet wipes harm the mics?

Do you use wind screens?

Thanks karaoke gods

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

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Had someone tell me to get the windscreen protectors, but those seemed to be worse, and to me, changed the sound.  We ended up taking them off and leaving them in the box.  About the only time I got one back out was when we were doing an outdoor private party on a windy day, and it helped with the wind noise.

We had cleaned the mic's at home, but after reading this, I think I will be doing it more.  Since most of ours have been private parties, we havent had a big issue, but I could see where a regular gig could pick up a lot of smoke and beer breath..

This is The Best way to cultivate all Kinds of germs, the windscreen will stay nice and moist from saliva spray , It will also hold in smoke smell.
a Bare mic will dry in the open air and the germs will Die quicker.

Think about it , the windsrceen is actually a sponge. It is used within inches (if not closer) to atleast 20 different mouths a night. eeeww just the thought of it is grossing me out.

After watching alot of people sing is why I Bring My own Mic if I can.

I use Lysol wipes.    and just about 4 times a year I also unscrew the ball and dig out the tiny thin windscreen inside the mic head and give that a good washing as well.

Just my 2 cents