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Hi,

A student of mine asked a question as to how to record screaming onset. He mentioned that the room they were in was quite reverberant and no matter what he did (limiter, pads, standing way back etc) he was still getting distortion. Does anyone have a solution to this or a technique to record screams in an environment like this and not get distortion?

Thanks

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I'm guessing you were trying it with a condenser microphone? A dynamic mic would probably be best for such a high volume sounds. Also try to use cardioid patterns to help prevent bleed from the reverberant walls.

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Create an impulse response of the location, and record the scream elsewhere.

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  • @Dave Agreed! Could have excellent results.
    – VCProd
    Oct 20, 2010 at 16:45
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It might be worthwhile to turn to some live sound mics for something this harsh - track down an Audix OM7 and see how you fare. It's made for powerful singers/growlers/screamers.

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  • That was my second idea. :) Oct 20, 2010 at 22:59
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I would say you're looking for a mic with a high SPL rating (Sound Pressure Level) (416 or MKH2 Lapel) and then setting your gain right down low and trying a couple of times to find a decent level using your faders to bring the levels up to optimum and your should be able to obtain a decent recording!

Good luck!

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Using a cardioid dynamic mic will certainly help. If it is still too loud with the gain stages all the way down then use a in-line attenuator. Both Shure and PSC make a good in-line attenuator for about $35 and should be in every sound person's kit.

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  • I sometimes need my Shure pad to bring it down -15 dB for someone who naturally talks loud and has a nasally voice.
    – Utopia
    Nov 3, 2010 at 20:49

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