Applies to any interface with a microphone input.
If you aren't certain what type of microphone you have, or what the common types of microphone are, please refer to this article:
WHAT ARE DIFFERENT MICS ARTICLE
Dynamic microphones are often low-sensitivity, allowing them to tolerate higher sound pressure levels without distorting the analogue signal produced by the mic. As a result, they can handle very loud instruments and are also well-suited for stage use, as they isolate the voice or instrument closest to them while capturing far less of any surrounding sound.
However, these low sensitivity mics are also frequently used for recording quieter audio in studios; they simply output a lower signal than other mics, such as condensers. Therefore, when you use one of these mics, you may find that a lot of extra gain is required from your interface or preamp — potentially even the maximum gain.
Can maximum gain damage my preamp?
Preamps are designed to function across the full gain range they provide for the types of signal they are designed to receive. Even if the signal is clipping — exceeding the maximum input level — it is very unlikely that it will cause damage to the preamp if the signal is at mic, line, or instrument level.
The signals that can damage the preamps are those that far exceed the electrical specs for a given input. The most obvious examples being the speaker output from a guitar amplifier or other power amp that outputs speaker-level signal for passive speakers.
Perhaps the most common example of a low-sensitivity dynamic mic. Shure state the following in the user guide for the SM7B:
The output level of the SM7B is -59dBV/Pa. For typical speech applications, three inches from the grille, the SM7B requires at least +60 dB of gain at the microphone preamp.
For reference, Scarlett 4th Gen provides 69dB of gain (except Solo at 57dB), Clarett 57dB, and Scarlett 3rd Gens 56dB, so they are all above the recommended spec for speech at three inches.
Here are some widely-used dynamic mics that can exhibit this behaviour:
- AKG D112
- Audix OM range
- Beyerdynamic M201
- Electro-Voice RE20
- RØDE PodMic
- SE Electronics V3 and V7
- Sennheiser E945
- Shure MV7, SM57, and SM58
To find out if your microphone fits this category, check with the manufacturer.
For the most part, our current range of interfaces can supply just enough gain for these mics. However, if you do find you aren't getting sufficient signal with a dynamic mic, you may want to try adding an in-line preamp to your signal chain. Here are some popular choices:
If you aren't certain what signal levels you should roughly be aiming for, you can refer this article: BEN'S ARTICLE ABOUT RECORDING LEVELS.
For more information on how high you should set your gain levels, please see the following article: