Is it possible to damage a mic w/screaming vox?

[sr2000]

I mainly use my Peluso VTB for rap vocals - but am also gonna have to use it for some screaming vox. I've heard that some mic's have a problem withstanding screams - or could be damaged in the process - is this a valid concern?

[Tibbon]

Just put a pop filter at whatever you think an acceptable distance is from the mic. Should prevent it from having too much air hit the mic.

[w_stylz]

I bet it is possible to damage a screaming vocalist with a mic!!

[Tibbon]

Originally Posted by w_stylz

I bet it is possible to damage a screaming vocalist with a mic!!

It makes the screams more authentic. I find this actually be be a great time to actually use mics and equipment made by Behringer. Not only do you get the vocalist to scream louder, but you get to take out aggression on the equipment without any guilt. (If this isn't clear, I mean hitting the vocalist with the mic until they scream... not plugging in the Berhinger mic!)

Or just use a SM58- the hammer that can also be used as a microphone.


But in all seriousness, maybe that isn't the best mic for the screaming parts of the song. I've noticed many artists actually using a totally different mic for the 'screaming' sections than the singing ones. Actually, oftentimes a dynamic mic.

[w_stylz]

Use a dynamic mic and then you don't have to worry about it. Realistically , a human scream won't be as bad as a Marshall cabinet turned up all the way and those get recorded all the time with dynamic mics. You probably don't even have to worry with the peluso but you don't want to cover the capsule with spit or send too much of a plosive through it so use the pop filter and stay at least 8-12 inches away!

If you need to record multiple authentic screams, you can use the telefunken 251 rather than the behringer mics while the engineer and studio owner are in the room.