Can I fuck up my condenser when he´s not recording?

[F_cksia]

I know that too much soundpresurre (e.g. a condenser in front of a basedrum) will stretch or break the microfone.
I have now for example done some vocal recordings so the mic (rode nt1) is in the recording room, but not anymore plugged in the console.
Now I do something that causes a lot of sound, like I go and drum in the same room (oh god, I haven´t spoken English for a long while, it´s pretty noticeable I guess).

Anyhow: will I fuck the mic up that way too?

 

[Robert D]

Well, you've got the important english words down, or up as the case may be.
I don't think it makes any difference to the membrane whether the mic is plugged in or not, as far as SPL impact. But I don't think you have anything to worry about either. A condensor isn't gonna suffer from being around SPL's that aren't damaging your hearing first. Ribbon mic's are a little more fragile in this respect, but even they shouldn't mind just being in a room where drums are being played. Worry more about smoke and humidity.
RD

 

[maskedman72]

i would also guess that if the mic is far away from the source it would be ok too.

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

Worry more about smoke and humidity.

Yep.... I wouldn't leave mics up like that - especially condensers.

Put them in their case with a nice packet of silica gel... mic diaphragms HATE any sort of moisture.

 

[F_cksia]

Thanks a lot for the answers, and the extra tip from Blue Bear: I actually never put the microfone back in its case, have it left for half a year on its stand in the studio...

 

[Sonixx]

Thanks a lot for the answers, and the extra tip from Blue Bear: I actually never put the microfone back in its case, have it left for half a year on its stand in the studio...

if your relative humidity stays around 45%, don't worry about moisture. but it's best to put the mic in it's case when not being used.

also, the silica gel does no good if you don't dry it out often.

 

[Captain Awesome]

How do you dry up silica gel packets?
Put them in the oven?
How often do they become saturated under normal conditions?

 

[F_cksia]

Put them in the oven?

No, that´s for microphones.

 

[Progger]

Hey, I was recording a bass drum for a couple months without a pop filter on a condensor. Is my mic likely to be toast? I haven't pulled it out of the case for a while, because I haven't had anything to record (waiting to get more money for building my new DAW). It was about an inch away from the hole. This was all before I knew anything about condensors beyond the fact that they need phantom power. It's a B1 Behringer, by the way.

 

[Sonixx]

How do you dry up silica gel packets?
Put them in the oven?
How often do they become saturated under normal conditions?

Yep...

Put it in the oven on 150 degrees for about 15 minutes. Some silica turn Blue when they need to be dried and then turn Pink when ready to be used.