-18db switch?

[lo beam]

I've just bought an ADK A-51 Model S Vienna Edition mic, which features a -18db switch.
I'm not sure exactly what this is used for, other than maybe it'll mean I can record much louder sources with it switched on.
Any help would be cool.
Thanks.

 

[Richard Monroe]

That is called a pad. In ancient times, it was really a felt pad between the mic and the source. You are basically correct. It is used on wicked loud sources which can overload the mic, causing clipping, especially Djembe, toms, kick drum, and sometimes guitar cabs.-Richie

 

[Fletcher]

-18 is rather a lot... the pad is used to keep the amplifier from clipping when the mic is used on a loud signal...

These were found in a whole lot of Neumann mics over the years and were mainly there because Neumann had a difficult time selling mics in the US... most studios had been using ribbon mics and condenser mics had a way higher output... so a pad was employed to drop the level from the mic so it could be used with fixed gain pre's.

The fact of the matter is that on a Neumann the capsule will distort before the amplifier... I have no idea about an ADK... but -18db seems excessive.

 

[Fletcher]

ooops double post

 

[Fletcher]

ooops another double post

 

[lo beam]

Thanks guys !
ADK, btw, reckon you can use it to mic up kick drums with.

 

[littledog]

I dunno, plenty of gear has pads that hefty - 414's, many preamps. I find a hefty pad useful for close mic'ing toms, snares, etc.