Can shouting into a mic damage the capsule?

[rockyroad]

A friend of mine is loaning me a marshal 67 microphone. I know it's not an expensive U47 but its also not my mic. we're going to record some lo fi hip hop music. There will be a guy rapping who is known to shout...loud and often. Can a human shouting into a mic damage the capsule?
Thanks.

[Goliath|Audio]

You can damage the capsule, but the way that thier capsules are tuned, it won't happen.. it will just sound really bad. You would have to try to blow out the capsule.

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by Goliath|Audio

You can damage the capsule, but the way that thier capsules are tuned, it won't happen.. it will just sound really bad. You would have to try to blow out the capsule.

Are you talking about marchall mics specifically or any large diapraghm microphone?
I guess I'm also asking...could a human shouting into a mic blow the capsule?
If someone is rapping or singing into a mic and I hear distortion coming through...even though the mic pre is not pinning what does this mean?
Is the capsule being stressed?

[scrubs]

As long as you use a pop filter, the shouting shouldn't be a problem. Most LDCs have max SPL ratings in the 160dB range, and the volume that would actually stress the capsule enough to do damage is probably much higher (using LDCs outside of a kick drum is actually pretty commonplace). The real danger is from plosive blasts and spit, hence the need for the pop filter.

Heck, even if he does break it, it's only $100.

[joelpatterson]

Originally Posted by scrubs

.... it's only $100.

That's the spirit!

[Top40Music]

(That's the spirit!) That's Funny (smile) .

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by scrubs

As long as you use a pop filter, the shouting shouldn't be a problem. Most LDCs have max SPL ratings in the 160dB range, and the volume that would actually stress the capsule enough to do damage is probably much higher (using LDCs outside of a kick drum is actually pretty commonplace). The real danger is from plosive blasts and spit, hence the need for the pop filter.

Heck, even if he does break it, it's only $100.

Thank you for the response. Very informative. Maybe I'll go with a double pop filter.
But are you suggesting that proper mic technique only matters when using expensive mics?
Would the liklyhood of damaging the capsule be greater in an inexpensive mic like the 69 as opposed to a more expensive mic like Neumann U87 or M149?

When I hear distortion and the preamp is not pinning what's causing the stress?
Can a mic be overdriven before hitting the micpre?

[scrubs]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

Thank you for the response. Very informative. Maybe I'll go with a double pop filter.
But are you suggesting that proper mic technique only matters when using expensive mics?
Would the liklyhood of damaging the capsule be greater in an inexpensive mic like the 69 as opposed to a more expensive mic like Neumann U87 or M149?

When I hear distortion and the preamp is not pinning what's causing the stress?
Can a mic be overdriven before hitting the micpre?

It is totally possible to overdrive the internal circuitry of the mic, prior to it hitting the pre. This can happen with both cheap and expensive mics at very high SPLs. Some mics have built-in pads, which can decrease the output of the capsule prior to the circuit board. If your vocalist is loud enough to overload the mic, and it doesn't have a pad, you will need to move the mic further away and/or instruct him in how to work the mic (i.e. move back or turn his head when he gets louder).