What is the reason for hanging vocal mics upside down?

[wing]

Sorry if this has been asked here before (I know it was discussed a while back over drum overheads or something regarding some photos someone had seen)... but something I've wondered about, is why is it in studio photos of vocalists the mics are often hanging upside down?

for example:




is there a logical reason (sound, weight balance, etc), or is it just for look?

[Family Hoof]

The tube gets hot and can mess up the diaphragm. Since heat rises, turn the mic upside down so the capsule is below the tube and your problem is solved.

[mrufino1]

Supposedly, it cuts down on sibilance. I just got my first vocal mic about 2 months ago, and I hang it upside down because I read that. I'm sure others will confirm or deny. Also, I've read that taping a pencil in front of the mic helps that too, as does a pop filter.

[Mark Alan Miller]

I'm with 'hoof.

[Zeppelin4Life]

Vocals=Moisture. Because of this, and because of gravity that nasty crap will get caught in the grill, and hopefully it will fall away from the diaphram (condensor mic+moisture=ouch and -$). theres your answer. how well does it work, I have no idea. but I do it


EDIT: PS it is true condensors can get messed up from heat, but only the vintage gold-diapgram ones..I think this was a tradition that we still use today but have no idea why.
Dave

[Al]

It's for the benefit of those who's head has been put on upside down.

[drumsound]

Though I do believe the heat thing of a tube mic is valid, the "traditional" reason for the mic being upside down is so a music stand can be seen by the singer.

I don't know is the upside down thing helps sibilance, but a pencil taped in front of the diaphragm can help.

[colinandrew12]

man. that chick in the top picture is hottttt.......

[nacho459]

It's a heat thing, a weight thing, and a room thing (more room for music stands, flailing arms, etc)

I like how in all the old Capital photos they have the Capital labels upside down on all the u47's so they are right side up in all the photos.



I never understood why companies don't put their logos upside down.[/url]

[wing]

It's a heat thing, a weight thing, and a room thing (more room for music stands, flailing arms, etc)

weight?

[nacho459]

weight?

Yeah I find It's easier to keep a heavy mic in place by suspending and keeping it's center of gravity below the stand than to try and prop it up above the stand.

[Dr. Sausage]

man. that chick in the top picture is hottttt.......

Mic upside down what?//..............drool.......

[0xeneye]

So the singer doesn't kick the mic over....????

[joeysimms]

Do you own that record? How is it?

[hammertime]

I read somewhere that it's the easiest way to position the mic so that it's over the vocalist. Supposedly, when the singer's head is tilted up, that's when they're larynx is most relaxed, and that's when they sing better. Some people even suggest lying on your back on the floor. I haven't noticed any difference.