Can a raging bass amp damage my large condencer mic?

[invinco]

It hasn't happened in my experience, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say "probably". If you aren't getting insane levels (clipping with barely any gain) then it should be alright. If you are, try using a pad if the mic has one.

I've also heard that ribbon mics can be damaged by bass cabinets, not so much by the SPL but by the force of the huge magnet over the tiny ribbon.

[jbuntz]

Only if you spell it wrong.

[paterno]

Originally Posted by mhartung

I have been using a Gefel mic on a bass amp lately and it got me to wonder if it was likely or even possible to damage the diaphragm of the mic by the high spl and low frequency??

Thanks

Mike

Not that I subscribe to this, but Klaus Heyne once told me on another forum 'never put a condensor mic where you wouldn't put your own ear' -- or something very close to that. I'm sure that over time the tone of the mic will change if you continue to subject the diaphragm to high spl. It will damage the membrane [remember they are a few microns thick!] But if you are into the way it sounds, then you'll have to make a choice...

Cheers,
John

[davidwilson]

Originally Posted by paterno

Not that I subscribe to this, but Klaus Heyne once told me on another forum 'never put a condensor mic where you wouldn't put your own ear'

Doh ...........looks like i'm screwed then.

[Grizzly]

Originally Posted by paterno

Not that I subscribe to this, but Klaus Heyne once told me on another forum 'never put a condensor mic where you wouldn't put your own ear' -- or something very close to that.

Damn, how am I gonna record those insane drummers now, I can't even get in the room while they're playing !....

I do treat my mics just like my ears though : they rest on a pillow at night and get cleaned up once a year....

[mhartung]

Thanks for the info everyone. I'll listen for the mic starting to sound different.
mike