Applying a pad - mic or pre - which is better?

[Armistice]

If I need to pad something, and have the option of doing it either at the mic or the pre, is there a preferred option, or is the answer "whichever gets the best sound/result".

Without listening to both options, my gut feeling would be that padding at the mic would be a better option, but I have no idea if this sound theory or not.

I have this question about rumble filters too, but I'd tend to listen to both and decide on that basis, as they're rarely the same frequency on mic and pre - whereas 10dB or 20dB pads seem common in both pres and mics.

You can assume that, in the padding example, the pad applied would be the same number at each device.

Cheers

 

[Massive Master]

For the most part, you'll only need to pad a mic at high levels and it is the mic that should be padded at that point.

For rolloff, that's an entirely different issue - Some mics have really crappy pads or they're at really crappy frequencies. Of course, some pre's do also. However, yeah, In that case, let your ears decide which is best.

John Scrip - www.massivemastering.com

 

[Richard Monroe]

Use the unit with the best electronics. Good mic, cheap preamp? Use the mic. (and vice versa). If it isn't clear which is the better unit, use your ears.-Richie

 

[Armistice]

Thanks