G7 too loud

[ComodoComplex]

I've just finished building my first G7 mic, with loads of inspiration from Curt's radioworld article. Here's some pics! (I've got a peluso shock mount on the way, by the way)

The capsule is a RK-12 from microphone-parts and the tube is an electro-harmonix EF-86

My issue so far is that when using a Tascam MKIII 424 4-track recorder, I have to turn the gain all the way down, and even then my bass drum pushes the tape into saturation. In this scenario, it clips as a room mic and as an overhead, so it's not exactly close-miked.

I'm wondering if something is wrong with my build, or if this is just a naturally very hot mic with the LL1538. One obvious solution is to build a 20dB pad. Would the sonics suffer from the use of a 20dB pad inside the PSU? Has anyone attempted this yet?

Thanks for your opinions!

Edit: images were too large. To see the full album, go here: http://imgur.com/a/oJf7W

 

[gyraf]

Yes, the G7 is a rather hot mic, and can overload consumer gear on loud sources.

There's nothing wrong in building a (switchable) attenuator into the PSU box, e.g. two 2K2 resistors in series with + and - audio, then shorted by e.g. a 330 Ohm resistor.

Jakob E.

 

[shabtek]

that is excellent! nice work.

 

[ComodoComplex]

Thanks to you both!

I'll get right on adding a pad, so thanks for calculating those values for me ;D

So far the mic sounds good, but I think a future investment in a TC12 would benefit it greatly. As I'm just a college student however, that expensive option will have to wait. For now I'm just getting a NOS Amperex tube to replace the Electro Harmonix.