Earthworks DK7 User manual - page 4
IMPORTANT NOTICE - Please Read This:
Drums and Microphone Output Level
The SR25, DM20 & SR20LS have been designed for drum applications, and in
most cases will not require the use of a pad to prevent overloading outboard
microphone preamps, preamps in mixers or consoles and computer audio in-
terfaces. The majority of preamps will accommodate high input levels at the
microphone preamp input without distortion. However, some preamps will not
handle high input levels at the preamp input and will require using a pad to pre-
vent distorting. We encourage you to check the specifications of your preamps
to verify that they will accommodate high microphone output levels of approxi-
mately +20dBV.
Different Types of Preamp Input Pads
Some outboard microphone preamps, preamps in mixers or consoles and com-
puter audio interfaces may have a built-in pad that can be switched in or out.
However, on some units these pads are not attenuators that precede the pre-
amplifier input, but instead just reduce the gain of the preamplifier. Unless these
preamplifier inputs will handle a high input level (i.e. +20dBV) these so-called
pads will typically provide no preamp input overload protection from high level
microphone signals (see Fig. 1-A). In contrast, other
outboard preamps, mixers,
consoles or computer audio interfaces have actual attenuators (pads) that pre-
cede the preamplifier input. These types of pads will provide the input overload
protection that is needed (see Fig. 1-B). Such pads will typically provide 10dB or
20dB attenuation. If an external XLR type microphone pad is needed, Earthworks
offers a LevelPad™ that provides 20dB of attenuation and is simply plugged into
the microphone cable. The DM20 and SR20LS have been designed with a lower
output level than the SR25 and should not require an external pad even when
close-miking toms, snares or kickdrums. Likewise, in most cases the SR25 over-
head mics should require no external mic pad. In case you do need an external
mic pad, please read further.
2
Figure 1-A and 1-B Types of Preamp Input Pads
A
B