How do windscreens actually work to reduce wind noise, and what are the key principles behind their design?

Windscreens work by creating a calm pocket of air around the microphone’s diaphragm. The foam or material of the windscreen diffuses and slows down the wind before it hits the sensitive microphone element. Key design principles include using acoustically transparent materials that don’t muffle the desired sound, and shaping the windscreen to effectively break up wind currents while minimizing its own acoustic impact.