When is beatboxing dangerous for mics...

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chconnor
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When is beatboxing dangerous for mics...

Post by chconnor » Tue Jan 09, 2007 12:30 am

Hi -

I assume that a dynamic mic can handle the SPL of beatboxing (correct me if i'm wrong.)

I wonder if they can always handle the moisture, over time? I.e., corrosion?

With condensers, specifically the AKG C535, it seems like it would be a bad idea, for either reason?

Ideas? Info?

Thanks!
-casey

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Chrisbrownsound
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Post by Chrisbrownsound » Tue Jan 09, 2007 1:22 am

It's a bad idea whatever mic...

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Post by tommy » Tue Jan 09, 2007 7:46 am

I would use a 58 maybe with a foam condom over it. You can always unscrew the grill afterwards and clean it. The (inside the grill) foam is removable and can be washed as well. A 58 would be a great choice for human beat box anyway.

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Post by thethingwiththestuff » Tue Jan 09, 2007 8:00 am

yeah, i'd say its dangerous whenever you use a mic that you'd like to hold on to and use for other things.

blowing air directly into a condenser......yeeeghh ::pulls collar away from neck::

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Post by JASIII » Tue Jan 09, 2007 8:20 am

Chrisbrownsound wrote:It's a bad idea whatever mic...
ha, beat me to it!

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Post by apropos of nothing » Tue Jan 09, 2007 9:12 am

JASIII wrote:
Chrisbrownsound wrote:It's a bad idea whatever mic...
ha, beat me to it!
Fershure, man. Use of the oldest percussion instrument in the world is strictly a bad idea.

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Post by thunderboy » Tue Jan 09, 2007 3:08 pm

I love a truly good beatboxer. Baba Israel is AWESOME. Matisyahu is actually a great beatboxer, too.

The whole genre evolved around the SM-58, so that might be a good mic choice.

I guess it would be dangerous for a mic if you choose the wrong mic, or if the artist just ate a tuna melt.

jt
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Post by mingus2112 » Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:27 pm

When is beatboxing dangerous for mics...
WHEN IT'S A RIBBON!

LOL
HWJLHC?

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syrupcore
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Post by syrupcore » Tue Jan 09, 2007 7:35 pm

to my ears, beatboxing sounds weird through anything but a dynamic.

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Post by Professor » Tue Jan 09, 2007 11:21 pm

It's not so much a question of SPL level in the typical sense. Dynamic mics are a safer bet because the diaphragm is just plain thicker and doesn't move the same way that a thin condenser diaphragm does. The volume may not seem very loud, but any time someone is blowing directly into a microphone, they are putting a tremendous amount of air pressure onto that tiny diaphragm and it's all in one direction. Ribbons obviously rip very fast in those situations, but even what seem to be quite stable and tough condensers (or dynamics) can stretch and/or break under the pressure that might be equivalent to 150-160dBSPL, but too low of a frequency for us to register the volume level.

-Jeremy

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chconnor
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Gotcha...

Post by chconnor » Tue Jan 09, 2007 11:36 pm

Hey, thanks for all the info.

I haven't gotten into it too much on my AKG C535, which i use for my (singing) vocals, because i was nervous about it, but i did do it from time to time. No more. :-) I'll find an old 58 to play with.

Appreciated,
-c

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Post by Cryonicsound » Wed Jan 10, 2007 12:51 am

One method I've seen is to have a dynamic mic about chin height about three or four inches away. This is a win-win because for some beatboxers, part of the kick drum sounds come from the larynx. This way, the mic is just off axis enough to be missed by the air blasts but not far enough off that you won't get the sound and you'll get more of the kick sound as well.

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Post by syrupcore » Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:27 am

but the 'exploding diaphragm' is really part of the sound for some dudes. Sounds like you're asking for yourself. I fool myself into thinking I can beat box every once in a while. I usually use the worst thrift store dynamics I have around because they break up right. clapping thunder.

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Post by dpiper » Wed Jan 10, 2007 8:44 am

What about an RE20 or SM7? I've never tried it, but now I'm tottally curious...

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Post by Cryonicsound » Thu Jan 11, 2007 10:46 pm

dpiper wrote:What about an RE20 or SM7? I've never tried it, but now I'm tottally curious...
I've heard it on the SM7 with favorable results.

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