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[Kev Jones]

I've never used mics with PAD settings before (I'm a weekend warrior guitarist... that does the band's sound as well!).  I'm going to be using a pair of Rode M3 mics as drum overheads - and I've not got any time to test them out and play around with them.  I see they have a 0db, -10db and -20db setting switch inside.  Any advice on how I should set the switch for drum overheads for a loud-ish rock drummer?  Appreciate any advice you guys can give me. 

Also, I'm assuming I should set the filter switch to flat ( not 80 Hz cut)??

Thanks  Kev.

[Conrad Muzoora]

0db is a good starting point. If it sounds ok even after the drummer hits his hardest. If it distorts on very loud sound then you can go to -10. Never seen anyone use -20!
Conrad
www.kooleventug.com


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[Steve M Smith]

I would set it to 0db and use the pad on the mixer if necessary - although for overheads, I doubt that it would be.

Overheads will not be picking up much of anything below 80Hz so you can switch in the high pass filter - or again, use the one on the mixer (if it has one).


Steve.

[Kev Jones]

Thanks for the help, guys.  Set the mic pads at 0db.... and results were great.

[James A. Griffin]

I've never used mics with PAD settings before (I'm a weekend warrior guitarist... that does the band's sound as well!).  I'm going to be using a pair of Rode M3 mics as drum overheads - and I've not got any time to test them out and play around with them.  I see they have a 0db, -10db and -20db setting switch inside.

Just keep in mind why some condensers have pads built in.   The signal flow is CAPSULE > PREAMP > XLR OUTPUT.   When a very loud signal hits the capsule, the preamp can be overloaded to the point of distortion.  The pad is between the capsule and the preamp to cut the signal by the indicated amount before it hits the preamp.  This is why the pad on your console won't help this situation.  The signal is distorted before it gets there.

On drum overheads, the mic is highly unlikely to overload and distort.   If you put that same mic on a tom, it very well might.     Just use your ears.. they'll tell you when you need the pad

[David Morison]

Just keep in mind why some condensers have pads built in.   The signal flow is CAPSULE > PREAMP > XLR OUTPUT.   When a very loud signal hits the capsule, the preamp can be overloaded to the point of distortion.  The pad is between the capsule and the preamp to cut the signal by the indicated amount before it hits the capsulepreamp.   This is why the pad on your console won't help this situation.  The signal is distorted before it gets there.

On drum overheads, the mic is highly unlikely to overload and distort.   If you put that same mic on a tom, it very well might.     Just use your ears.. they'll tell you when you need the pad

Great post James, just a small suggestion if I may, as noted with the strikethrough above?
Cheers,
David.

[James A. Griffin]

Great post James, just a small suggestion if I may, as noted with the strikethrough above?
Cheers,
David.

Thanks for catching that.    Post is corrected
 

[Kev Jones]

James and David... many thanks.  Armed with the explanation you've given me, I'm in a much better position to make an informed decision on pad settings for future use. 

The mics worked great as drum overheads... but it's very useful to know the relationship between the pad and the preamp, for when I'm micing up other sources.

Thanks again.

[ProSoundWeb Community]