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I have an AKG c3000, it went out of comission about a year ago. When its plugged in it has very little gain and the noise floor is doubled. It seemed to start exhibiting problems when used as a kick drum mic, but it didn't die right away. I have heard that large amounts of spl can damage mics, but in general could the spl frrom a closed kick drum head create that much pressure to create damage?
And also, does anyone know where to get mic repaired in Chicago?
Thanks.

Hi,

Yes, high SPL's can damage your microphone and the higher noise level and reduced output you describe are typical problems encountered when damaging a microphone from high SPL's. The relative increase in noise may be the result of a lower output, since this would cause the noise ratio to increase. Having said that though, it could still be a simple problem which is not related to enduring high SPL's.

Some people reserve a mic specifically for kick drum for this reason.

I would probably contact AKG as they can be quite handy.

Yeah just got a response from AKG tech... He said actually that in most cases that high spl won't do permanent damage to the diaphram, just momentary type distortion when its happening. Hmmm. Well I'll try sending it off to them unless anyone else has any suggesttions for local repair.
Thanks

might some part of microphone damage to a dynamic be a reduction of high frequency response?

That is probably possible. In my experience, it is usually found that dynamics lose bass response.

I might have thought that a dynamic might get "tired" and lose high end after prolonged high SPL's, but i'm not sure.

Sadly, you usually need to get the capsule replaced when a dynamic goes wonky.

just wondering, because my sm57 sounds extremely lofi. i can't remember if it always sounded that way, but a few months ago i put it in a laundry tumbler for about 5 minutes (deliberately)

Why the hell did you do that?

Were you recording with it or did you hate the mic so much that you wanted it to feel pain?

High SPL, no ... a typical condenser capsule can take a much higher SPL than the electronics.

Air movement from a kick, yes. I put a big ol' windscreen on a condenser if I use it inside or outside a kick.

Rodabod wrote:Why the hell did you do that?

Were you recording with it or did you hate the mic so much that you wanted it to feel pain?

both