Gunshot Report Recording. Any damage to mics?
 

Does anyone have some words of wisdom on the dangers to mics caused by the report pressure of gunshots from say 10 to 15 feet away? I know this is a very general question but I'm looking for whatever anybody has to say about it.
Thanks

You have to be more specific about the microphone you have. A ribbon microphone would probably be shredded. A Shure SM81 will just record the sound with no problems.

Once you get past survival of the microphone element, then you get into the issue of whether it records it as you hear it. Unfortunately, it rarely is the case and almost always requires some sweetening in post.

Thanks Mike. The mic would be the on-board mic on a Sony VX2100. There is more interest in the video than the audio but we don't want to blow the camera's mic. I did a little digging and I can't find out what kind of mic the VX2100 has on-board. Any ideas?

It is a stereo electret condenser. It will probably not be damaged but you won't be able to use it in AGC mode if you want to hear the gunshot with any fidelity. Turn your gain down to about 15 to 25% and see how that works.

I'm kinda doubting that it will do a good job but it may be good enough.

The SM81 handles Glock .40 cal, MP-5's, M-16's, AK-47's and even 50 cal sniper rifles with reasonable results.

Could you dub in better sounding gunshots? Some real life gunshot recordings sound... wimpy.

Thanks again Mike. We can proceed with confidence.

Mike-

I have recorded numerous gunshots with my sony dsr-pd150 with no problems and some of these rifles had ported barrels. I have always been a couple feet behind the shooter and the sound produced is good quality.