How do I handle this distortion?
 

I was shooting a live bar band with my new
AT3032. I had the cam set at MIC ATT position,
which gives a 20dB pad. But still when the band
hit some bass notes I did experience some
distortion. Is the solution here that I need to
go to 30dB of attenuation?
Why does the bass distort more than the
treble stuff?

i don't know your mic, but different mics vary in sensitivity depending on the frequency range. that's a big part (simplified) of what makes different mics have their unique sounds.

bass frequencies also tend to be less directional and to transmit through material more than highs. (hence when your neighbors with the 400 watt amp and 20" speakers in his '84 tercel drives by with the window up, all you hear is bass.)

That's when a good limiter saves your life. Can you turn down more?

Regards,

Ty Ford

This was going direct to cam, with no limiter
in the chain.
Would you say Ty, given the recording
situation (with no limiter), that the next step
is to go to a 30dB pad?

If yer bustin' out the top, you have no choice other than telling the bass player to turn down.........usually not a good idea.

Regards,

Ty

The 3032 has a bass roll-off and a 10db pad. The roll-off might not be satisfactory for music, but if the sound or room is really bass heavy it might help. The built-in pad should help too if you didn't already try that.