-10dB pad?

[cliff richard]

Hi folks, bit of a newbie here.

I love writing music but struggle a little with the recording side of things. I have a rode nt2 mic which has a -10dB pad switch. Could any1 please tell me what its purpose is???

Cheers

 

[grinder]

When micing a loud source, such as an amp, use the pad to keep the mic from overloading.

 

[Richard Monroe]

A 10db pad reduces the mic's output by a nominal 10 decibels, which is good when clipping (distortion caused when any component of the signal chain is overloaded, and not pretty guitar amp distortion, either) is a concern. Pads are characteristically used when sensitive mics are used to close mic really loud sources. In general, I would say pads, like compression, are a necessary evil that you use when you have to.-Richie

 

[grinder]

Yeah, I guess I should have mentioned not to use it, unless you're having overload problems.