Using a condernser mic on a bass drum?

[Dogbreath]

Hey dude...if I'm reading my info correctly, the 2020 handles 144 spl and I believe the kick peaks at around 130 spl. This will vary (naturally) on the style of drums but I think 130's close.

From those numbers, I'd think you'd be ok
but
hopefully someone with more surviving brain cells will chime in.

 

[alex0203]

I have a condenser mic (AT2020). If I use it on my bass drum, will it ruin the mic?

 

[TomT]

I have a condenser mic (AT2020). If I use it on my bass drum, will it ruin the mic?

Well, if you push air against the diaphragm so hard that it rips, then yes you will. Just test it out and proceed slowly (with the gain). You should hear the alarm (distortion) before it gets damaged.

 

[mshilarious]

Hey dude...if I'm reading my info correctly, the 2020 handles 144 spl and I believe the kick peaks at around 130 spl. This will vary (naturally) on the style of drums but I think 130's close.

From those numbers, I'd think you'd be ok
but
hopefully someone with more surviving brain cells will chime in.

It depends on where you put the mic. Inside the hole can be higher, and the air blast is also troubling (and is not strictly an SPL measurement). Generally, smaller diaphragm mics (I think the 2020 is 16mm?) won't get easily damaged, but your signal could be distorted. Try it and see. I would not use inside the hole without a windscreen.

 

[NinthHour]

alot of guys do use a condenser on the kick to pick up sound off the shell but almost always couple it with a dynamic mic inside the drum to get the snap of the beater. you probably wont get a hell of alot of punch without getting right up close to the beater but that is a preference thing i guess depending on style your mic will be just fine as long as its not the one you stick right in the port