Sennheiser MZW-1

The Sennheiser MZW-1 is a foam windshield for evolution handheld microphones — both the wired vocal models and the evolution wireless G1, G2 and G3 handheld transmitters. It slips over the basket and absorbs the gusts that come from shooting outdoors, but mostly the ones the speaker makes themselves: the plosive P, B and T sounds that otherwise land as a thud in the low end. The foam still lets the high frequencies through, so the voice is not dulled — which is why it is used indoors too, whenever anyone works close to the microphone.

Foam windshield

Against wind outside and plosives inside

The foam absorbs bursts of air before they reach the capsule. Outdoors that means silence instead of rumble; indoors it takes the edge off the plosives that land as a thud when someone speaks close in.

Damps air, not treble

The open foam structure stops moving air but lets sound through, so the voice keeps its intelligibility and sparkle. It goes on and off in a second, so it can live on the microphone only where it is needed.