Topic: 4060s - how much is too much

[Arglebargle]

You could be right but I still have to crank up the knobs on the AD20 to 12 oclock (that's halfway between min and max) to get a full peaks, so I know the AD20 can handle a much hotter signal because I've had it running at zero gain (knobs at min) without any sort of problems before. I'm still pretty certain it's the mics, although I do admit I could be wrong.

[Arglebargle]

I guess I'm really trying to figure out is why would the AD20 not be able to handle a signal that is weaker than another signal that it can handle. Perhaps there's more bass in the DPAs than the AKGs perhaps. I don't get it.

[zhianosatch]

Bass, brotha! Happened to me all the time!

[Sean Gallemore]

but you had the 4061s and it still happened, had to get an XTRA $200 mod to get them to function properly.  Not saying it doesn't sound badass now, but just getting the 61's or attenuators on the AD-20 doesn't solve all the problems.

[zhianosatch]

I'm not saying anything different. The AD-20 can't hack the low end.

[BobW]

Agreed, at 134db you'd better have ear protection or you will have permanent hearing loss within minutes.
dpa4060 can manage 120db even if off by 5%, a tolerance variation unheard of for a German-engineered product.

Another show will come to town, ears, on the other hand, cannot be transplanted.

Sound Levels and Hearing Loss  

[jpschust]

ears can be transplanted, hearing cannot :-)

[BobW]

Then I want Opie ears, by golly !
I'm going to ask "Paw!"

[nihilistic0]

Ive done a little research on dB levels before, and I noticed that the pain threshold is app. 130 dB.  Ive also heard that the sound @ the stacks at most concerts is 130 dB, but by the time the sound gets to anyone, it loses a lot of steam

[jpschust]

yah sound at the stacks is 130, if your ear is next to the stacks!

[Crimson]

I get pretty close to the stacks

[Sean Gallemore]

you tape DMB?

[zhianosatch]

ah, lol...

[DPA]

The DPA mics run true to spec with phantom power ranging from 5V to 50V with no change to specs. And you can count on DPA specs as be very accurate.
I've been doing sound for 30 years and can say with assurance that 134 will only be approached at the stacks themselves. Typical levels for Loud concerts is in the peak 120 to 125 range...and that is a concert I'll leave before hurting my hearing long term. Croud noise at a NHL hockey event, Playoffs, game 7, final period and the home team scores? 120 dB peak, for reference. measured many times....

[creekfreak]

yea, sersiously, if you are at a show that approaches 130-140DB the last thing you will need to worry about is if your mics can handle it.