URSA Foamies shield

[Lucas]

Dear All, 

 

I'm an avid user of Ursa Foamies. 

Since they often have a short lifespan, I made a small shield to protect them from all the tape abuse. 
Also it works very well in thicker fabrics and jackets and it gives a fair bit of isolation. 
Attached you'll find the version for the big foamy (as pictured) and one for the small foamy. ( not pictured ) 

mini foamy shield_fitting.stl foamy v3_dik.stl

[PMC]

Very clever.

[boomhead]

Doesn't that defeat the purpose/usefulness of the foam?

 

[Matt Radlauer]

I think it gives you another way to use the foam.. Not limiting at all IMO

[Lucas]

With the shield the foam becomes like a shockmount. Also you can put a windcover over the opening on top.


If anybody is interested to try it out, send me a PM for a stl print file.

[Soundwil]

Although it is starting to look a bit bulky, I do like the windcover potential, and the distancing of mic head from clothing. 

Looks like it could be a useful tool in certain situations.

Damn! I need to get myself a 3D printer! 

[Lucas]

I might as well post the file here. 

My recommendation is to smoothen the surface after printing. 
Also insert mic (Cos-11) into Foamie first and after that slide it in the cover.
Curious to hear your impressions after testing. 

all the best, 

Lucas

 

foamy v3_dik.stl

[osa]

I went for it and had A friend of mine print me a bunch and for my personal workflow these are absolutely perfect! They are not for every Mike placement but definitely another tool to deploy when needed. I had great success with collared button up shirts and polos using these. In the past I used to use a combo of make up sponge moleskin and toupee tape for starchy shirt applications to create this same idea and as I had suspected these are a third of the size. I used these with DPA 6060s And the mike stays tightly  suspended and fully shock absorbed inside with much less transference vs ursa mounts alone. I use a single piece of toupee tape for the slimmest footprint for its size but can definitely be used with moleskin as needed. This was my first attempt at 3-D printing gadgetry and I really appreciate you posting the file it worked perfect for him to print from. 

[Lucas]

Hi Osa, 
It is good to see some prints finding their way into the field. 
Also nice to hear that you have had a good first impression. Hopefully this combo will help you in many scenario's to come!

 

I might do a smaller version for the mini foamies at some point, I'll post them here when it's done. 

 

 

 

[Izen Ears]

On 6/30/2022 at 10:06 PM, Lucas said:

Hi Osa, 
It is good to see some prints finding their way into the field. 
Also nice to hear that you have had a good first impression. Hopefully this combo will help you in many scenario's to come!

 

I might do a smaller version for the mini foamies at some point, I'll post them here when it's done. 

 

 

 

Thank you so much!  I think we’re gonna print a few.  I appreciate your work, thank you for sharing.

[Wandering Ear]

I usually put a layer of micropore on the outside of my foams to protect them from the tape.  This is an interesting idea I'm interested in trying out.  Thanks for sharing the file!

[Phillip C Dent]

Thanks for the stl file Lucas. I got some printed up on 2 different printers. I was curious if there would be a quality difference. Do you have an stl fine for the mini-foamies? I’d like to add those to my arsenal as well

 

thanks again

 

[igomarsound]

will definitely print that as well. thanks a lot.

 

Also interested to know if there's a mini foamies version

[Lucas]

On 7/12/2023 at 1:52 AM, igomarsound said:

will definitely print that as well. thanks a lot.

 

Also interested to know if there's a mini foamies version

There is, but I haven't printed and tested it myself. But feel free to try! I'd be happy to hear any feedback..

!!! I've taken down the file because it was a bit to big, will upload updated version soon. !!!

 

Edited November 9, 2023 by Lucas
I took the file down

[osa]

On 7/18/2023 at 4:36 AM, Lucas said:

There is, but I haven't printed and tested it myself. But feel free to try! I'd be happy to hear any feedback..

mini foamy shield v4.stl 159.46 kB · 3 downloads

Happy to report I have my first batch of this new version for the 6060 microphones and going to put to the test on a bunch of interviews today. A friend of mine printed them out for me and the process he used to make this batch turned out a lot smoother without print lines. My apologies I don’t know enough about 3-D printing to speak to how he technically made them but confirming this .STL worked perfect for him to print from. Now I’m curious if they could be made even slightly smaller because the 6060 specific foam was a bit loose inside so I ended up using 4060 foamies and they feel much more secure yet still mobile in the suspension to do the job. The ones on the right are the 4060 versions so definitely smaller with these newly printed 6060 versions.

 

[Lucas]

 

Good to hear you got the smaller version printed. If you can provide me a more specific description or picture I'm happy to adjust the design. 

As for windprotection, I've experimented with these two options:

 

If you use a 6060 in a Bubblebee Windbubble (smallest) it fits into the shield and stays fairly secure. Pull the mic a bit to the top op the opening for best sound. 

Another way is to put a sticky with a hole and put a small wig on top of the shield. 

If you have found/tried other ways I'd love to hear it. 

 

 

 

[osa]

Oof! The fur up inside is genius! Struggling with that today with the bulk fur on top of these already small units. Will try cutting up a few and adjusting the foam for these 6060 versions

[osa]

One worthy note on these smaller foamie shilds, the precut ursa stickies work perfect

[Phillip C Dent]

On 11/2/2023 at 9:41 AM, osa said:

. Now I’m curious if they could be made even slightly smaller because the 6060 specific foam was a bit loose inside

I ran into the same issue of wanting a more snug fit.  I had one of my son’s friends with a 3D printer modify the stl file into several smaller versions. I now have a bunch that I have been using almost exclusively.  It’s still a bit on the bulky side but eliminates almost all clothing rustle.  It has quickly become my go to rig with my DPAs.

[Lucas]

I have send you an updated version to try. If it is a better fit I'll post it again on the forum.

 

In case anybody wants to test/try the updated version.  (see it as a public beta:)

Please send a PM. 

[osa]

9 hours ago, Phillip C Dent said:

I ran into the same issue of wanting a more snug fit.  I had one of my son’s friends with a 3D printer modify the stl file into several smaller versions. I now have a bunch that I have been using almost exclusively.  It’s still a bit on the bulky side but eliminates almost all clothing rustle.  It has quickly become my go to rig with my DPAs.

I 2nd this. When the wardrobe is multilayered and typically challenging - this rig with dpa lavs is so clean it is like following talent with a close boom

 

it is a delicate balance with the foamies for sure - too loose and the mic slips out. Too tight and the foamie is so compacted it loses its isolation effect and transfers all the noise

[Lucas]

For convenience I've attached the foamy (regular- and mini-version) STL files in the first post. 
Enjoy!