Mic Pad

[demensia]

In the past I have set my levels so that they hit my computer just below the red. I've never needed to use the pad on the condensor microphone. I also just added the compressor in there, I haven't used it yet.

Here is my signal path.

Mic (AT3035 and SM81)->Presonus Tube Pre->Alesis 3630->Delta44->Adobe Audition.

I've read varying opinions on the board regarding compression durring tracking, but searching for use of the mic pad didn't really pull me up any good facts.

If I can set the levels low enough on the condensors so that I get a strong signal and the meters are not pegged, would I experience better results by using the pad? I've tried it out to just test the sound with and without the pad... and I can't really tell the difference. I dont hear the pad warming anything up or removing noise or anything...

I'm thinking mainly on my own vocals.
I also mic acoustic guitar

I guess I don't really understand why I have these options.. the pad on the mic, the pad on the preamps, and the different eq rolloffs.

Could someone please explain their experience and maybe suggest some things to try?

Thanks,

Luke.

 

[northsiderap]

Pads

I only use the pad if the mic clips my preamps. I have preamps with gain switches, not volume knobs, so I have to pad quite often.

I'd only use the pad on the mic if really necessary. ie, if it's clipping the preamps. Pads are just a resistive network, and add noise to your signal. Albeit a tiny and probably un-noticable amount of noise...

If you like the character that your preamps add to your overall sound, then by all means pad the mics and crank the pre's. You might experience a higher noise floor, as in my experience my mics are a bit quieter than even my better preamps.

I'd only pad the preamp if you are experiencing very high levels from the mic. Sometimes happens for drummers and/or guitar cabs.

Low end rolloff I usually leave until mixdown, but try it on vocals and guitars going in. I think it's usually around 80hz...

Sometimes I like to scoop out the EQ on the guitars from 80hz-200hz and leave the low end rumble for some reason or another - - That's why I leave all the low end cuts 'till mixdown.

Low end cuts help live tho. Helps the bass drum/bass get their breathing room down at the bottom end. Bottom end gets mucky fast in my experience.

 

[Scottgman]

The pad on the mic is for source signals that are too loud for the mic or preamp to handle. For instance, if you were using that mic on a snare drum, you might need to engage the pad.

The pad on the pre is probably just because many mics don't have a built-in pad-- so that's a handy feature.

The EQ roll-offs (I'm assuming a HPF and LPF) are for various uses (like eliminating low-end rumble). I usually roll-off the low-end for everything but bass guitar and kick drum. I'm not really sure what you would use a LPF for... I guess if you had some nasty content up high in the spectrum.

Having said all that, there is no reason to use a pad unless you need it. If you are getting disotortion and/or clipping the preamp, the pad would solve your problem.