Re: Can a mic be damaged by exposure to loud sounds?

Well, a pyrotechnics explosion in close-proximity to sensitive mics could blow one away...
Certain Ribbon-type mics can be damaged by excessive wind blowing "through" them...
Dropping a mic can ruin it...

BUT excessive CHAMBER MUSIC, even at "point-blank" range won't damage a mic (especially a RODE... it can record a close-up Kick-drum and still survive.)

I doubt that the MIC was distorted by being "too close" to the chamber group (although I'm speaking only about distance-vs-distortion... the mic MAY have been too close for proper instrument balance and stereo soundstage... but that's another discussion.)

You might need to PAD it (some studio condenser mics have a built-in 10 db pad) and outboard in-line pads are available.
You may have over-driven the input pre-amp ("trim" it down a bit more.)
You didn't say WHAT you recorded ON... DAT, Camcorder, MD, Reel.
Each device must be matched to your output for proper levels.

BTW, didn't you notice the distortion during the session?