-10dB Pad Muffle the SP C1 A Little?

[Robertt8]

I've only had this mic for a couple days now and have only mildly screwed around with it. I know the -10dB pad is to help with background noise, but it seems to *maybe* muffle the output a bit. It seems more clear without it on as opposed to it being on. Is this maybe an optical(hearical) illusion because it gets quieter? Or does the signal loose something?

 

[muttley]

No, It's "like" a volume control.


da MUTT

 

[Innovations]

Yes, that is the entire purpose of the pad switch.

You see some sound sources, like a kick drum or a guitar cabinet, can exceed the 130 db maxumum sound pressure allowed for the mic. (bear in mind that 130db is REALLY LOUD and if your ear is near somethig that loud you are talking about hearing damage) The -10db pad allows you to record even louder sources.

If you stop and think about it the term 'pad' undoubtedly refers to how this was done in the early days of recording...they would put a pad over the microphone.

 

[Robertt8]

so...does this mean that if I'm just trying to record guitar (or whatever) and filter out my roommates hockey game in the next room I shouldn't use this? Only really loud sources like amps?

 

[Brent Casey]

so...does this mean that if I'm just trying to record guitar (or whatever) and filter out my roommates hockey game in the next room I shouldn't use this? Only really loud sources like amps?

The C1 has a shunt capacitive pad on the input of the FET. It works well as a pad since it keeps the FET from overloading. On the other hand though, it causes some nonlinearity to the signal and this is what you are hearing.

Regards,

Brent Casey
Studio Projects Muffins
877-563-6335

 

[Robertt8]

Hey thanks for the reply...however, I'm no engineer. Should I tell my roommate to turn off his damn TV and leave the swithc off, or should I just slap on the -10 dB? It sounds like (maybe?) the signal is cleaner without the -10 dB switch on? Thanks for the help!

 

[Brent Casey]

Hey thanks for the reply...however, I'm no engineer. Should I tell my roommate to turn off his damn TV and leave the swithc off, or should I just slap on the -10 dB? It sounds like (maybe?) the signal is cleaner without the -10 dB switch on? Thanks for the help!

What you are saying is quite interesting as a concept. The short answer is: don't use the pad for what you are describing, unless the sound of the hockey game exceeds 134dB in the room where the mic is placed.
I believe the term for what you are seeking is, "Roomate Reject Filter". Perhaps we can design this feature in for an upcoming model, but for now you will have to work on lowering ambient noise in your room the old fashioned way: "Hey! Shaddup in there, eh? I'm trying to record!"

Best,

Brent Casey
Studio Projects Microphones
877-563-6335

 

[Robertt8]

LOL! now that's what I'm looking for! Thanks! By the way, that would be a great feature on a mic.

 

[KevinTran]

I believe the term for what you are seeking is, "Roomate Reject Filter".

Best,

Brent Casey
Studio Projects Microphones
877-563-6335

Could you make that a "tube" filter?

 

[0-T]

I'm really happy with my C1... but I'd upgrade if they had a "murder noisy neighbors" filter.

 

[Richard Monroe]

It sounds like you're trying to use the pad as a gate. A gate is an electronic device, which can be a stand alone unit or a feature of a preamp, which basically turns off the mic's input unless it receives a signal at or above a preset threshold, which is usually adjustable. This can help if you have low level background noise, so during quiet sections where you're not singing or playing, you won't pick up that hockey game. Of course, as soon as you do play, you're going to hear yourself, and every so often, in the background, you'll hear "SCORE!!!!". Try getting your roomate some headphones. Loud background noise sucks when recording. Consider building a vocal booth to attenuate your roomate, assuming you can't just put Chloral Hydrate in your roomate's coffee.-Richie

 

[Fletcher]

...on the bright side... Hockey season is over [and it's only June!!]