RE: Qestion About Microphone db I Need Answers Too Quick.
2008/09/10 18:35:15
(permalink)
The pad on the mic is too prevent the preamp (sometimes called a buffer amp) built into the microphone body from overloading and distorting.
It essentially has nothing to do with how sensitive the mic is with regards to noise floor or background noises.
Strictly speaking the best signal to noise ratio will be with the pad at "0". That's because the signal to noise ratio is concerned with electronic noise introduced in the preamp I mentioned above.
Practically speaking you can use any setting that pleases you. The 414 is a very quiet mic.
Just know that if you are NOT overloading the mic that using the pad is the same as turning down the input on your microphone preamp a similar amount.
In either case it will not change the ratio of featured sound to background noise... you may sense the illusion that it does but I suggest that if you do it's just a change in overall level rather than a change in ratio.
best regards,
mike