overloading a mic

[Nubus]

Some mics have internal pads. Some don't. what I'm wondering is if you pad at the console does that differ from padding at the mic? When microphones can handle high SPL, does this mean that the diaphragm is somehow more rigid?

[lukedavo]

Yes, I think it does. The pad on the board relates to what hits tape, the pad on the mic relates to what the mic accepts.

[Whoopysnorp]

I think it would just be a pad on the actual output signal coming from the mic, because I don't see how a switch could actually alter the characteristics of the diaphragm and change what the mic actually accepts. Of course, it is possible that maybe a very loud source could overload the output circuitry of a mic, and hence the need for pads.

[Nubus]

I understand overloading a ribbon, there would be nothing to do about that. But a condenser... that would be entirely electrical right? so the pad after the mic would essentially be the same thing as using the pad on the mic right? And I am assuming the same applies to dynamics as ribbons, where the rigidity of the diaphragm is the only thing you can change when designing a mic to alter its spl handling level. Again, I'm assuming all this if I'm totlaly wrong somebody please let me know.

[dagosto]

You can definitely overload a condenser at the element and possibly damage it, thouhg not as easily as a ribbon. Everything has a breaking point.

The pad does prevent distortion on the output stage of the internal preamp and also helps prevent the console (or rack pre) from peaking out if there is no attenuation on the input. The pad is purely elecrical and does not effect the mechanics of the mic.

[smopo24]

Originally Posted by dagosto

You can definitely overload a condenser at the element and possibly damage it, thouhg not as easily as a ribbon. Everything has a breaking point.

yes, but isn't it (the amount of spl a mic accepts before being damaged) so high that most normal applications will not affect it?

[dagosto]

Originally Posted by smopo24

yes, but isn't it (the amount of spl a mic accepts before being damaged) so high that most normal applications will not affect it?

Well. . . yes.

[Whoopysnorp]

Originally Posted by smopo24

yes, but isn't it (the amount of spl a mic accepts before being damaged) so high that most normal applications will not affect it?

Yeah, though I bet that if you stick a condenser with a really thin element (like one of these super thin 3 micron ones) inside a kick drum, you could bottom out the element and kill the mic.

[Nubus]

How about shooting a gun right next to it?

[lukedavo]

You could probably just shoot the mic in that case.