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introducing the DPA Reference Standard Microphones

I personally use DPA mics and they are incredible. I have a matched pair of 4011 with the optional 2006 interchangeable Omni capsules. So I have both Cardioid and Omni at a bargain. Wow I say.

We don't talk about them much here, because they are pricy but they are a lifetime mic of extreme accuracy. They are a reference standard.
To better understand how their new design works, check out this video:

Comments

audiokid Sun, 06/17/2012 - 20:06

More explained, and check out their new low profile XLR , it only takes up an 1/8th of depth, 2 ml, very cool! Now that I found this, I see I need this for their very light carbon stereo bar. Less cable strain while using it for X/Y apps. I found the standard cable is too heavy and can pull the measurement out after a while. These are just the ticket.

audiokid Wed, 08/01/2012 - 09:02

thatjeffguy, post: 390765 wrote: The M149 is by far my finest large-diaphragm condenser mic. I use it regularly on vocals. I've recently discovered that it is awesome on upright bass. In either application I run it through my Great River pre then into the LA2A then into my board. I've nick-named the M149 "Big Mike"... the thing is HUGE!

Jeff

Hey Jeff,

I just ordered an M149. It has a pretty high output that can clip some micpre's. In search of opinions on choice pre's for it, some members talk about not using a micpre and just running it through something like ( I'm assuming) an LA2A. Have you ever tried that?

thatjeffguy Wed, 08/01/2012 - 09:54

Hi Chris...
No, I haven't tried running the output of the M149 directly into the LA2A. It might work okay, the M149 does have a relatively high output. But I like to really 'drive' my LA2A so I can apply sufficient gain reduction to the whole signal, not just the peaks. I'm more aggressive with compression than most when it comes to certain vocals. Often the finer nuances of a vocal are at the softer end of the singer's dynamic range and they can be coaxed to the surface with proper use of compression.
The M149 will not disappoint you, it is warm, clear and detailed, and the variable polar patterns make it versatile.

Jeff

thatjeffguy Thu, 08/02/2012 - 09:45

Hi Chris...

It's not microphone dependent, it's really singer and program dependent. Had a female singer who had the most appealing nuances to her voice when I sat in front of her and listened, but they disappeared in the mix with her piano playing. In the end had to apply about 13 db of gain reduction to get those nuances to surface. But with the LA2A being so totally transparent, her voice sounds completely natural.

The human voice has such a huge dynamic range that it often takes a lot of compression to get it to sit well with other instruments. I've learned over the last 20 plus years (and millions of mistakes) how to coax what I want out of a compressor while avoiding the unpleasant side effects. The LA2A makes this easier than any other compressor I've ever used!

As for the M149, its super-sensitivity does mean it captures a wide dynamic range and might require a bit more aggressive approach to compression than some of your other mics.

Jeff

Ustas Sun, 03/03/2013 - 05:45

two pair SDC mics for Grand Piano - comparison

Hi everybody!
Of course one of the pair - DPA Microphones 4011.
The other pair - microphones made in Russia. In the Elation laboratory.
Elation KM 201

http://www.elationmiclab.com

Elation KM 201 VS DPA 4011 for Grand Piano recording. - Ge.tt

Three parts of a single session

I apologize for files compressed in MP3
Full session in WAW - 1.8 gb.

Grand piano model - Steinway ->
Pre's - SSL ->
- > ADC - Prism
-> PT HD.

Thanks.
Mike.