K-Micro drum pack clipping????

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Member Since: Apr 26, 2008

Hi there it seems that upon looking at some of my recordings made with my brand new drum mic pack are clipping. and that isn't clipping due to going over 0db it is actually clipping in the microphone elements. is this right? these are rated at 145 spl and it suprises me.. Does anyone else have experience with these mics?

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Ne'er ate 'er
Member
Since: Apr 05, 2006


Oct 30, 2008 07:00 am

Yeah, they are very sensitive and distort at fairly low SPLs. I don't know where they get that 145 number. Maybe it's the level where they burst into flames.


www.TheLondonProject.ca
Member
Since: Feb 07, 2005


Oct 30, 2008 11:07 am

K-Micro's actually came in two different versions. The earlier version (which I have) would not take the same SPL's as the current model that is offered.

Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


Oct 30, 2008 02:32 pm

remember, you can also clip your A/D converters after the preamp stage (gain/trim) of whatever your mic is plugged into.

if you 'clip' a mic the level will max out under 0db, depending on your preamp setting. so say your hitting a drum at different volumes but your meter keeps maxing out at say -4db then you're clipping something before the converter.

you seem to be clipping the converters, which means your preamp was prolly set too high.


[edit] lol upon a second reading i see you're not clippin' the converters.

did you have everything else in the signal chain set to unity gain (all channel/master faders set to 0db before recording?

www.TheLondonProject.ca
Member
Since: Feb 07, 2005


Oct 30, 2008 05:03 pm

Hey WYD, it is not a problem in the signal chain. Those first generation mic's run really, really hot. The SPL's seem to move the diaphram causing distortion

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Oct 30, 2008 09:29 pm

I have the higher PSL versions and have not run into this yet.

How close to the drum are you mounting them. And also, are they mounted by clips directly to the shell? That wont do unless it is a chock mount type clip that isolates it from the shock of the drum being hit.

Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


Oct 31, 2008 12:36 am

hmm, then i guess yer best bet is to back them off the drums then.

Member
Since: Apr 26, 2008


Oct 31, 2008 01:10 am

Hi there sorry for the slow reply. The mics are at least 4 inches away from the drum skins and im not a hard player. I tried close micing the drums but i backed them off because of the clipping and now that they are 4 inches away it defeat's the reason for buying mic's to specifically close mic. Another interesting thing i noticed it that my preamps are set to 0 gain (turned all the way down) and this where i have them when im recording!! weird aye..

Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


Oct 31, 2008 01:14 am

wow, do your pre's have a "pad" on them by any chance?

that's amazingly hot for a mic output.

Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


Oct 31, 2008 01:15 am

what exactly is your signal chain? have you tried different cables?

Member
Since: Apr 26, 2008


Oct 31, 2008 01:47 am

Hey um no they don't have a pad on them ( i have a tascam us 1641) But yes i agree that is incredibly hot for a mic output! My signal chain goes like this. K-Micro-->XLR lead-->Tascam interface (no pad, zero gain)-->Cubase.
I havn't tried different leads because i dont have any other types..

Noize2u the drum mic pack i bought have the higher SPL mics correct? ( www.karmaaudio.com/sb7.html )
Also how far do you have your micros from the drum heads?

Ne'er ate 'er
Member
Since: Apr 05, 2006


Oct 31, 2008 08:15 am

I have both versions of the Micros, and both tend to break up when I get them too close to my voice. I know I'm a loudmouth, but..

Anyway, condensers - especially small diaphragm types - are not really best suited for close micing drums. Their transient response is just too peaky for it. Your best bet is to find some inexpensive dynamic mics for that purpose.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Oct 31, 2008 10:45 pm

Yes, they should be the higher SPL version. I am pretty sure they don't even make the original anymore.

I did not use it directly on a snare, it was as a bottom mic on the snare. But on the toms they were mounted about 1.5 to 2 inches above head approx. even with the outer edge of the ring. Pointing approx. toward 3 inches in from the ring. I suffered no clipping or distortion to speak of. I've used them on horn blast's as well without them suffering any real distortion either.

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