The advantages and disadvantages of using of an "umbrella" around a microphone is dependent on your application. I assume you are talking about a parabolic reflector, like the ones seen on the sidelines of many football games. These are used to focus the sound coming from a specific...
Was wondering if anyone has a good source for the stiffness characteristics of different hardnesses of neoprene under various conditions. Book(s), article(s), web site(s)?