Why use dynamic mic for screams?

[eduardoclark]

I read this here, but didn't find a technical asnwer for that... in a couple weeks I'll be recording both clean and scream vocals... so if you can answer, please, do it!! :)

[shayne_122]

Well, with a dynamic microphone, the sound pressure level that it can handle is much larger than a condensor. With a scream, you are expelling a lot of air and energy from your mouth, so therefore you risk damaging the diaphragm inside the condensor capsule.

If I'm not mistaken, condensors also clip heavily under loud inputs... *I think.*

[eduardoclark]

Oh, I see... thanx a lot, this really makes difference. :)

[shayne_122]

You're welcome!

[Moseph]

Well, with a dynamic microphone, the sound pressure level that it can handle is much larger than a condensor. With a scream, you are expelling a lot of air and energy from your mouth, so therefore you risk damaging the diaphragm inside the condensor capsule.

If I'm not mistaken, condensors also clip heavily under loud inputs... *I think.*


Most people can't scream louder than a drummer can hit a drum/cymbal, and condensers go on those all the time. However, low-end stuff (which is what we're typically talking about on these forums because we don't have a few grand to drop on a single microphone) tends to have the qualities listed above. If you give yourself plenty of headroom on your preamp, and you own a decent microphone of any sort, you should be okay to scream.

[gaz12369]

If I'm not mistaken, condensors also clip heavily under loud inputs... *I think.*

It's not so much that, as most condensors can withstand quite a high SPL anyway. Its more due to the fact that dynamic's have a heavier diaphragm than condensors, which makes it harder to move. This in effect restricts the high frequencies a bit, which gives a dynamic more of a punchier feel, as apposed to the open airy feel of a condensor.:thumb:

Gareth

[eduardoclark]

Well, again, thanx! I've already recorded some scream vocals in the past, with a condensor, and now I see what you're talking about. Thanx a lot!

(although I've already saw some big bands (ex.Dimmu Borgir) recording with condensor...)

[gaz12369]

(although I've already saw some big bands (ex.Dimmu Borgir) recording with condensor...)

Thats because condensers are generally better, and then the vocals are made punchier via eq and compression and such. Use whatever works best - there are no rules:)

[airborne50caliber]

The assumption that condensers have lower SPL tolerance is wrong - a 414 can take more air than most dynamics, as can many other condensers. It has to do with what gaz says, in the same way that you'll use a dynamic for rock'n'roll guitar sound - balls over accuracy/clarity/naturalness - think about it, you don't growl death metal style hile having a natural conversation anyway - the sound we expect is defined exclusively by how it is recorded through the mic.

[eduardoclark]

hmmm
well, I think the better way is to do some recording tests with both. I'll post here how me and my producer get the better result!
Thanx everyone!

[gaz12369]

well, I think the better way is to do some recording tests with both

Thats exactly what you should do! experiment!:chug:

And about saying that that band used condensors.. Im assuming they do a lot of screaming, yet they have that "focused" sound to them. They may well be using a valve mic. This is similar to a condensor, but they include a valve stage in them. This gives them a nice warm feel, but still retain the clarity of a "normal" condensor. Tube mic's can be expensive to pick up, but Thomann do some cheap ones, and i forget the model, but the blue and gold one, thats basically a copy of a famed AKG one, and i have heard some sound samples of it, and it souns VERY impressive. Though you don't really need to invest in a new mic just to get a "valve" sound. You could use a good valve pre-amp (no not a cheap-o behringer one:p ), or valve eq or compressor. Aslong as theres a decent bit of kit in there with a valve you should be able to get similar results. For what your doing, this would probably be the best combination, but like you said, EXPERIMENT:chug:


Gareth