Article Overview

DPA’s Reference Standard Microphones: The Best Just Got Better

DPA Microphones was showing its new modular series of microphones at IBC 2011

The Reference Standard mics take DPA’s Standard and Compact ranges a step further, building on the company’s reputation for clear, transparent and precise sound and improving on the classic mics known and loved the world over. The new range offers increased flexibility, sound quality and cost-effectiveness; the best just got better.

4000 Series

The Reference Standard 4000 Series builds and improves on DPA’s Compact and Standard 4006, 4011, 4015 and 4017 mics, making a wide selection of capsules available at different price points and performance demands. Three brand new preamplifiers improve on previous designs: the MMP-A ultra transparent transformerless preamp with active drive for impedance balancing, the MMP-B preamp with low cut and high boost filters and the 45mm compact MMP-C preamp with a softer character. The range’s modular design allows any mic within the series to be transformed into a new variant. Additionally, owning several capsules will be more cost effective than the expense of purchasing complete mics. As with all DPA products, the entire manufacturing process takes place at the company’s purpose-built factory in Denmark.

2000 Series

The pioneering Twin Diaphragm Capsules form the 2000 Series, bringing down the cost of owning a DPA microphone to between €600­–700. The MMC2006 omni and MMC2011 cardioid capsules are rooted in the design technology of DPA’s classic miniature capsules. The 2006 encapsulates two opposite-facing 4060 omnidirectional miniature diaphragms to form a one-capsule, dual-diaphragm design, reducing noise and enhancing sensitivity. The 2011 also benefits from DPA’s interference tube design experience. These mics bring the sound qualities of DPA’s classic 4006 omni and 4011 cardioid to a larger market.

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Innovative accessories increase versatility and allow for future upgrades or new applications. For example, a ground-breaking new DPA cable accessory features a super slim XLR connector that adds extremely little length and forms an elegant spot microphone for suspension on a TV set or a live stage. A modular, carbon fibre stereo mounting bar is equipped with Rycote® Lyres™ to position mics stably at the desired angle for any stereo recording. This mounting device can also be screwed into a gooseneck for mounting inside a piano, or connected directly to a camera stand. Adjustable and modular, this innovative new mounting device is as flexible as the mic range itself.

“We never thought it would be possible to obtain such quality at this price, but with the 2000 Series we have managed to create a range with the exceptional sound quality people associate with DPA,” says company co-founder Morten Stove. “Our miniatures have been used for years for instruments and concert recordings, and we have taken them a step further, refining them and building them into regular microphones. A big advantage is the fact that you can start out with the capsules from the 2000 series and then later upgrade to the 4000 series, as the preamps are the same.”

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DPA Reference Standard Microphones

MAJOR FEATURES:

·    Cardioid and wide cardioid capsules can handle 139 dB(A) before reaching 1% THD; the max SPL handling is increased to 159 dB (A) when using the MMP-A preamp and 152 dB for the MMP-C compact preamp respectively.
·    The 4006 omni handles 4 dB more SPL before reaching 1% THD; max SPL handling is increased to 147 dB for the MMP-A preamp and 140 dB for the MMP-C preamp. The dynamic range is an impressive 121 dB – ready for 24 bit HD resolution.
·    CMRR (RF rejection) has been improved to >60 dB, >50 dB and >40 dB for amplifiers MMP-A, MMP-B and MMP-C respectively. Adding a transformer to the circuit could have increased this further, but for sound quality reasons it was decided to choose Impedance Balancing with Active Drive technology.

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DPA Sets Standards with New d:fine™ Headset Mics

DPA, manufacturer of the original headset microphone, has launched its brand new headworn range at IBC. The new d:fine™ headsets join the classic DPA 4066 and 4088 headworn models which are loved the world over and widely used by the international theatre, broadcast and conference markets. Like their counterparts, the new mics offer consistent audio performance at all spls from a whisper to a shout, impressive gain before feedback and stable construction.

Available in omnidirectional and directional versions, the new d:fine™ headsets have been named to reflect their accurate audio definition and natural sonic characteristics. They also define a new standard in single earpiece headsets, which DPA has launched in response to market demand. The earpieces are made from a sprung material used to manufacture hearing aids, making them extremely comfortable to wear and exploiting DPA’s experience of manufacturing hearing aid components. The very fine spring automatically adjusts the headset to each wearer, ensuring that the earpiece stays in place by applying consistent pressure regardless of ear size. It can easily be taken on and off by the wearer, returning to its original shape each time.

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DPA d:fine is delivered with different coloured cable steer clips

The mics themselves use the same 5mm miniature capsules as the 4066 and 4088s but are now even smaller thanks to a new housing that fits the capsule exactly. The reduction in capsule size also allows smaller windshields to be used. “We didn’t want to compromise on sound quality by reducing the size of our proven capsule,” says DPA CEO Christian Poulsen. “With the new design we’ve managed to keep the incredible sound and lower the wind pop and handling sensitivity. The only change we’ve made to the capsule is to square off the edges slightly, which allow it to be better concealed.”

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Key to the headsets’ assured success is a tiny, ingenious connector which attaches the mic to the cable. Microphones can easily be switched between omni and directional models. Just by rotating the boom, the microphone can be moved from left to right ear, or into the optimum position. And as the microphone isn’t hard-wired into the headset, the cable can be replaced cheaply and easily.

“The smaller design of our new headset makes it less visible, while retaining the DPA signature sound by using proven capsule technology that we have successfully pioneered the world over,” says Poulsen. “It may sound too good to be true but come and try it out at IBC – you’ll be the judge.”

DPA d:fine is delivered with different coloured cable steer clips, allowing for quick recognition of a specific headset. It also allows cables run from in-ear devices to be fixed in the clip, making cables run neat. A neck cable clip attaches the cable to the cloth to relieve the cable draw.

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