Recording kick drum: can the mic handle it?

[Joemamma]

Obviously some mics are more suitable for recording kick drum than other mics.
They have to be able to handle a certain pressure from the kick drum.

Does anyone have a good value for a mic's max SPL level, that should be okay for recording kick drum?

I want to try recording kick drum with a ribbon and a condensator that both have a max SPL for 0.5% THD@1000Hz at around 130dB. Is this okay for recording kick drum?

Can I damage a mic if it can't handle the pressure or will the recording just sound bad?

[David@MVS]

Originally Posted by Joemamma

Obviously some mics are more suitable for recording kick drum than other mics.
They have to be able to handle a certain pressure from the kick drum.

Kinda...they all fold (most anyway)...it's what they sound like when they fold that is key.

Does anyone have a good value for a mic's max SPL level, that should be okay for recording kick drum?

Nah....135spl?

Can I damage a mic if it can't handle the pressure or will the recording just sound bad?

Ribbon, yes; regular dynamic, no.

Keep the ribbon 2-ish feet away from the direct blowhole and you should be safe....

Check this:
http://www.royerlabs.com/faq.html

Regards,
David

[Joemamma]

Okay, thanks!

What about condensators and tube condensators (max SPL 130dB)?

Can they be damaged from a too high pressure from a kick drum?

[treymonfauntre]

seems like the drum would suffer from condensation more than anything

[Vum]

I almost always throw a GT55 just outside the kick about a foot (or less depending on the program) away. That combined with a dynamic in the shell gives you a lot of texture to create a drum 'sound'.

Plus if you have a break in the song just solo out that mic with the overheads and you'll get a good overall kit sound without the dryness of the close mics. Just a trick.

[Joemamma]

Thanks for the replys! I also like condensators on drums...

But my question is:

"What about condensators and tube condensators (max SPL 130dB)?

Can they be damaged from a too high pressure from a kick drum?"

[Thumper]

What the fvck are condensator mics? Can you buy them @ guitar center?

Your question is way too damn broad. What mics? Specifically what model? You're not going to hurt a fet47 outside of a kick drum. You mic blow up an el cheapo mic that "sounds exactly like a u87".

Throw it up there. Does it sound clean? Then you're not hurting it. If it sounds bad, don't use it.

[Joemamma]

Originally Posted by Thumper

What the fvck are condensator mics? Can you buy them @ guitar center?

Your question is way too damn broad. What mics? Specifically what model? You're not going to hurt a fet47 outside of a kick drum. You mic blow up an el cheapo mic that "sounds exactly like a u87".

Throw it up there. Does it sound clean? Then you're not hurting it. If it sounds bad, don't use it.

Condensator mics: the type that need phantom power!

I'm considering trying a SE electronics Icis and z5600a on the kick drum. Will these be okay? Or can they be damaged?

[Durv]

well since nobody else is going to do it...i'll say it.
the word is not "condensator". The word you're looking for is "condenser".

Most condenser mics can handle the SPL slightly away from the kick drum, of course if you put it TOO close to the source, the SPL is greater, and damage can occur.
be weary. use common sense.
Durv

[Joemamma]

Originally Posted by Durv

the word is not "condensator". The word you're looking for is "condenser".

My bad!

[Jim Williams]

It's not the spl's you need to worry about, it's the air blast. Blast that much air into any mic and you will have problems. I use a popper stopper in front of kick mics to eliminate that problem.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

[yawatta]

producer: "I'm looking for more of a close, wet sound without using reverb.. can you make that happen?"

engineer: "well it just so happens that i have this great condensator mic that'll do the trick"

producer: "ohhh yeah it picks up the humidity"

see this thread, post #913: http://gearslutz.com/board/showthrea...t=sympathsizer

[Rick Sutton]

Contrary to popular belief....it is possible to kill a dynamic mic on akick drum. Over the years I have personally destroyed three mics on kick including an EV RE20. Here's what it sounds like when it happens.


THUMP THUMP THUMP pfffffftttt

[Joemamma]

Originally Posted by Jim Williams

It's not the spl's you need to worry about, it's the air blast. Blast that much air into any mic and you will have problems. I use a popper stopper in front of kick mics to eliminate that problem.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

Hmm... Interesting! A popper stopper for kick mics...