Mic maxSPL question

[meLoCo_go]

How much SPL should mic be able to tolerate to record guitar amp (hi gain distorted sound)? Is 122dB enough? Can I irreversibly damage LDC if put it close to the grille?

[malice]

122 seems honest. But a lots of gtr amps handle 130 SPL, so beware.

LDC are not like ribbons, you will hear a lot of unpleasant distortion long before damaging the mike (well, try to be reasonably cautious)

They are few LDC that I like on gtr amps anyway.

That said, for bigger sounding gtrs, have in mind that the amp setting is not always at eleven (sorry goes) . The fat setting is often a tad under the maximum level.

malice

[malice]

LDC are not sounding great in very close miking anyway.

Experiment, you will hear.

malice

[otek]

I generally agree with this, but there are some exceptions:

For example, the AKG 414 I found to sound great on many guitar amps.

I've also used the Milab VIP-50 for this.

The VIP-50 is more sensitive to high SPL however - the 414 is almost indestructible.

I also tend to combine these LDC's with a dynamic, like a 57, a 421, a 409, an M88 or a Milab F-69.

[malice]

For example, the AKG 414 I found to sound great on many guitar amps.


As I said, they are few exeption, 414 is one of them.

I do not put them too close anyway.

malice

[Skwaidu]

Ditto on the 414. I've found it to be workable even close to the grille, though often combined with a 421 or 57.


I've also mixed some tracks where U47's and U87's have been utilized well in combi with a close 57, on more cleanish electric tracks, usually with combo amps...

[otek]

I've also mixed some tracks where U47's and U87's have been utilized well in combi with a close 57, on more cleanish electric tracks, usually with combo amps...

Ditto for me, but with a TLM-170 or even a 451 (that's an SDC, so beside the point, but hey). :P

[meLoCo_go]

Thanks everybody!
That's what I wanted to do - combine two mics! Probably with LDC I would place it resonably far from the speaker and then try to move it closer until it starts to distort...

[Skwaidu]

Thanks everybody!
That's what I wanted to do - combine two mics! Probably with LDC I would place it resonably far from the speaker and then try to move it closer until it starts to distort...

With a 414 you will not probably have *any* problems going close... If that is the sound you want.

[Brendo]

I've used 414's touching the grill cloth before, and they survived fine.

[otek]

Thanks everybody!
That's what I wanted to do - combine two mics! Probably with LDC I would place it resonably far from the speaker and then try to move it closer until it starts to distort...

Yeah, the AKG 414 (and the 480 SDC too!) takes some hideous SPL. You won't have any problem.

You will want to be careful with the phase relationship, however. Make sure you don't get any of that ugly comb filtering as you position and balance the two mics.

[malice]

I've used 414's touching the grill cloth before, and they survived fine.

Oh, they will survive (they will survi-ive)

But often, the seet spot is not the same as a 57

malice

[otek]

But often, the sweet spot is not the same as a 57

Damn straight.

[meLoCo_go]

Yeah, the AKG 414 (and the 480 SDC too!) takes some hideous SPL. You won't have any problem.

You will want to be careful with the phase relationship, however. Make sure you don't get any of that ugly comb filtering as you position and balance the two mics.

I've looked at AKG site and they say 414 may handle up to 160dB... So it's probably able to record a kik and probably some jet-fighter as well... not sure about spaceships, however)))

But I don't now if 414 would be available....

In case of phase relationships, visually lining up two tracks after recording worked fine for me (while muting one channel when playing). 96000 Hz recording seemed suited for that))
cause it gives about 1.3 mm precision.

[malice]

I've looked at AKG site and they say 414 may handle up to 160dB... So it's probably able to record a kik and probably some jet-fighter as well...


Holly fuck, this must be some kinda record for LDC :icon_eek:

What version of 414 ?

malice

[meLoCo_go]

It is now discontinued C414 B-ULS
http://www.akg.com/products/powerslave,nodeid,1,mynodeid,173,id,214,pid,214,_l anguage,EN.html
The page however contains slight controversy - in the highlights one can see "up to 160 dB" and lower "beyond 150 dB", of course 160 is beyond 150 but 10 dB is quite a gap!

[otek]

Holly fuck, this must be some kinda record for LDC :icon_eek:

What version of 414 ?

malice


Both the old B-ULS and the TL-II did this - I think 160 dB is right (seen this stat often), but probably allowing slightly higher distortion levels. It does handle 140 dB unpadded, within 0.5% THD.