Over the next few months I'll be trying to learn how to record my band. I have a few newbie questions on some condenser microphone concepts. I just want to make sure I understand this all correctly. Specifically I was looking at the spec for a CAD M179 microphone. I noticed the spec states the following for the Max SPL.
Max SPL: 143dB, 1% THD, attenuator engaged
And this got me thinking about a few things. I want to know if it is correct to say the following?
1) I probably won't see 143dB in a studio setting unless I was recording a gun shot or something, in which case I wouldn't be in a studio.
2) Inside the Mic itself is a diaphragm which is connected to a pre-amp circuit. The -10dB attenuator is located between the diaphragm and the pre-amp.
3) If the attenuator was not engaged, the Max SPL would be 133dB.
3) The 1% THD that would occur at 143dB SPL is due the the preamplifier distorting and not the diaphragm.
4) If I were to raise the SPL beyond 143dB not only would the pre-amp distort the signal from the diaphragm, but the diaphragm would itself start to generate a distorted signal. If I continued to raise the SPL even further the SPL would be so high as to cause permanent physical damage to the diaphragm.
5) Generally speaking. If the sound source were to momentarily (on the order of milliseconds) peak above 143dB, would the microphone incur any damage? Alternatively if the sound source were to momentarily peak above 143dB for say 1-2 seconds, would the microphone incur any damage?
6) Is blowing into a condenser Mic enough to cause damage to the diaphragm? Would dropping the mic on the ground be enough to damage the diaphragm?
