#1
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A question about db mic pad switch
My two WA mics have (and some of my others) have a db switch. Why would you use the microphone's -10db pad switch for instance, instead of just lowering the input gain on the recording device?
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#2
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Quote:
Personally I don't use them much and do like you say just lower the input a bit
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Enjoy the Journey.... Kev... KevWind at Soundcloud KevWind at YouYube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...EZxkPKyieOTgRD System : Studio system Avid Carbon interface , PT Ultimate 2023.12 -Mid 2020 iMac 27" 3.8GHz 8-core i7 10th Gen ,, Ventura 13.2.1 Mobile MBP M1 Pro , PT Ultimate 2023.12 Sonoma 14.4 Last edited by KevWind; 05-21-2022 at 01:24 PM. |
#3
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There are times when a mic's output is high enough to distort the preamp with the preamp set at any gain level. The pad switch prevents that.
Bob
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#4
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Thats interesting I may just try it on my next vocal as I do sometimes get some distortion (other than sibilance) on certain expressive words ......
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#5
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In most all condenser mics there is a preamp section which gives a boost to the minute signal from the element and also buffers and conditions the signal for the XLR output. In most designs the pad is prior to the FET transistor (directly above the word 'Pad') and prevents the FET and the rest of the preamp circuit from clipping if the audio level impressed on the capsule becomes too high. I've seldom if ever used a pad either on the mic or preamp, but I think it might be preferably to use the mic pad if it has one before using one on a preamp if audio levels are really high.
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#6
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I've never seen a video of yours where you were singing so loudly that a mic should be distorting. Are you doing death metal videos and not sharing them with us?
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#7
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Some folks like to use a pad, either on the mic or preamp, for the purposes of driving the preamp a little bit harder to get a little more color/grit/hair out of it.
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#8
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Actually EQ automation is my friend (but don't tell anyone. )
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Enjoy the Journey.... Kev... KevWind at Soundcloud KevWind at YouYube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...EZxkPKyieOTgRD System : Studio system Avid Carbon interface , PT Ultimate 2023.12 -Mid 2020 iMac 27" 3.8GHz 8-core i7 10th Gen ,, Ventura 13.2.1 Mobile MBP M1 Pro , PT Ultimate 2023.12 Sonoma 14.4 |
#9
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It reduces the sensitivity of the internal circuit. Useful on loud sources that would otherwise overload the circuit.
Not super useful quiet sources like acoustic guitars, but you’ll be happy you have it there if you need to record drums.
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