Become a Site Supporter and Never see Ads again!

Author Topic: powering options for DPA4061 w/Microdots  (Read 11228 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline boa

  • Trade Count: (6)
  • Taperssection Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 579
  • Gender: Male
  • crowesbase loves you
    • crowesbase:an.amorican.archive
powering options for DPA4061 w/Microdots
« on: July 04, 2015, 05:08:08 PM »
Options on powering a pair of DPA4061's w/Microdots:

1. I have a pair of HEB's with one of the mics blown. Do I send this pair to Len to match the three; find the two best and reuse his battery box? Total cost ($85 + $35) = $120 + shipping

2. Emailed Chris Church about an option to power the 4061's with microdots. He quoted me $235 + shipping for a CA9200.

Outside of an MMA6000 in the Yard Sale, what other powering options are available? Are there any members here building custom gear that I should check out? I'll be going into an R44 as well as an M10.
Microtech Gefell m22 >  Babynbox > Sony m10acm
Microtech Gefell mv200/m21 > Aerco mp2 > Roland r44ocm

Offline Cheesecadet

  • Trade Count: (21)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 3016
  • Gender: Male
  • http://db.etree.org/cheesecadet
Re: powering options for DPA4061 w/Microdots
« Reply #1 on: July 05, 2015, 12:11:16 AM »
Darktrain built me a microdot y-cable to 1/8" cable that can go into any battery box/pre that accepts 1/8".  You have to source the parts and send to him though as he doesn't stock them.  Quality build as usual!
AKG 481's, DPA 4061's (Matched), AT ES933's w/ AT853-ELE's (SC/C/O), ECM-19B's, MixPre-3, A10, M10 x 2, Hi Ho Silvers, Various Darktrain & GAKables

Vinyl:
Fluance RT83 Reference > MCS 3230 Receiver > Realistic MC-500's (NOS)

Upcoming:
02/10 J. Dilla
02/14 Wiliie Waldman & The Chocolate Factory
02/15 Gabe & Giz
02/16 GM5
02/28 Grace Potter

Offline aaronji

  • Site Supporter
  • Trade Count: (9)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *
  • Posts: 3853
Re: powering options for DPA4061 w/Microdots
« Reply #2 on: July 06, 2015, 05:46:00 AM »
There are also the DPA battery boxes (MPS6010/6020/6030/6040) or phantom adapters for (DAD6001)...

Offline Gutbucket

  • record > listen > revise technique
  • Trade Count: (15)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 15683
  • Gender: Male
  • "Better to love music than respect it" ~Stravinsky
Re: powering options for DPA4061 w/Microdots
« Reply #3 on: July 06, 2015, 11:24:17 AM »
Anything providing 5 to 10Vdc mic power will work.  The bigger issue is usually accommodating the microdot termination.  The aforementioned DPA battery boxes, preamp or phantom adapters all have microdot inputs.  Otherwise you need either a custom preamp/batt-box/phantom-adapter which has microdot inputs, an adapter cable to convert the microdots to something your preamp/batt-box/phantom-adapter will accept (usually stereo mini plug or mini-xlr), or you'll need to chop off the microdots and re-terminate the mic cables.

Church-Audio preamp and battery boxes will work well into an M10 or R44.  Chris sometimes offers adapter cables and/or mircodot-dot input options. 

Naiant PFAs work great into an R44 powered by the recorder's P48 phantom.  That simplifies powering since everything then runs off the R44's power source.  That won't work for the M10 though.
musical volition > vibrations > voltages > numeric values > voltages > vibrations> virtual teleportation time-machine experience
Better recording made easy - >>Improved PAS table<< | Made excellent- >>click here to download the Oddball Microphone Technique illustrated PDF booklet<< (note: This is a 1st draft, now several years old and in need of revision!  Stay tuned)

Offline Gutbucket

  • record > listen > revise technique
  • Trade Count: (15)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 15683
  • Gender: Male
  • "Better to love music than respect it" ~Stravinsky
Re: powering options for DPA4061 w/Microdots
« Reply #4 on: July 06, 2015, 12:14:16 PM »
You can DIY your own micro-dot adapter cables.  I use my own custom adapter cables into either Jon's PFAs or Church Ugly premaps, both of which have a standard mini-jack inputs.  I built the stereo adapter cables using old male dot cable ends chopped from DPA mics, with the two male dot's connected via female threaded barrel connectors.

If you have no old chopped cable ends with dots on them, an alternate route is to buy a cable pre-terminated with female micro-dots, cut it in half and re-terminate the cut ends to whatever connector fits the input of your battery-box/preamp/phantom-adapter.  I've not ordered any yet, but found the source below for female micro-dot terminated cables, and intend to try this route for a couple custom multi-channel mic cables I intend to build- http://www.cdint.com/catalog/category/Cables/10-32+female/to+10-32+female/RG188+low+noise
musical volition > vibrations > voltages > numeric values > voltages > vibrations> virtual teleportation time-machine experience
Better recording made easy - >>Improved PAS table<< | Made excellent- >>click here to download the Oddball Microphone Technique illustrated PDF booklet<< (note: This is a 1st draft, now several years old and in need of revision!  Stay tuned)

Offline Gutbucket

  • record > listen > revise technique
  • Trade Count: (15)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 15683
  • Gender: Male
  • "Better to love music than respect it" ~Stravinsky
Re: powering options for DPA4061 w/Microdots
« Reply #5 on: July 06, 2015, 12:22:49 PM »
The thing I don't like about the DPA DAD6001 phantom adapter is the arrangement places the dot-connection and mic-cable in a very vulnerable position when the adapter is plugged directly into the recorder's XLR inputs.  That can be remedied by using short XLR patch cables between the adapter and recorder.  The Naiant PFAs have their input connector attached to the adapter via a short length of cable, so they are much less vulnerable than a hard-mounted microdot sticking out the end of the adapter.  They also don't protrude as far and can fit more easily in the bag.
musical volition > vibrations > voltages > numeric values > voltages > vibrations> virtual teleportation time-machine experience
Better recording made easy - >>Improved PAS table<< | Made excellent- >>click here to download the Oddball Microphone Technique illustrated PDF booklet<< (note: This is a 1st draft, now several years old and in need of revision!  Stay tuned)

Offline 2manyrocks

  • Trade Count: (12)
  • Taperssection All-Star
  • ****
  • Posts: 1664
Re: powering options for DPA4061 w/Microdots
« Reply #6 on: July 06, 2015, 03:38:16 PM »
Unless you plan on reselling your DPAs or have radio packs that use Microdots, why keep the microdots?  Is there something worthwhile to justify their expense?

Offline voltronic

  • Trade Count: (40)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 4095
Re: powering options for DPA4061 w/Microdots
« Reply #7 on: July 06, 2015, 04:27:27 PM »
http://jwsoundgroup.net/index.php?/topic/21475-dpa-406x-powering-circuits/

If that really is the DAD6001 circuit it looks pretty simple for a $115 product. 

I'm considering a set of 4060s down the road, and I was looking for them used but then the phantom adapters aren't cheap.  I should have jumped on the stereo kit that was on the YS here but I got cold feet.

Jon, I wonder if you have built a modified PFA with microdot input for DPA users who aren't as DIY-savvy as Gutbucket?
I am hitting my head against the walls, but the walls are giving way.
- Gustav Mahler

Acoustic Recording Techniques
Team Classical
Team Line Audio
Team DPA

Offline MIQ

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Regular
  • **
  • Posts: 215
  • Gender: Male
    • Stereo Mic Tools
Re: powering options for DPA4061 w/Microdots
« Reply #8 on: July 07, 2015, 12:42:58 AM »
Unless you plan on reselling your DPAs or have radio packs that use Microdots, why keep the microdots?  Is there something worthwhile to justify their expense?

Hi rocks,

If you chop the microdots off and terminate in 3.5mm then you can't easily connect them to mic pres with only P48 XLR inputs.  Keeping the microdots allows you to use them with the DPA phantom adaptors and the majority of microphone inputs.  I suppose Jon could make 3.5mm PFA adaptors or a 3.5mm stereo --> 2x PFAs adaptor and you could do the same thing.  He would know best.

Microdots are a pain.  I built a 2x microdot to 3.5mm stereo adaptor since I have a stereo kit and didn't want to loose the use of my DPA adaptors.  http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=160895.0  They make it expensive.  Looking forward to hearing how Gut likes his cut in half cables. 

Offline aaronji

  • Site Supporter
  • Trade Count: (9)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *
  • Posts: 3853
Re: powering options for DPA4061 w/Microdots
« Reply #9 on: July 07, 2015, 06:33:10 AM »
Jon, I wonder if you have built a modified PFA with microdot input for DPA users who aren't as DIY-savvy as Gutbucket?

Jon already touched on this:

The microdot connectors are so expensive that I don't recommend a PFA terminated to microdot since it would only be a little cheaper than the DPA DAD6001.

Anyway, something I like about the microdots is that they are locking.  One less place where an 1/8"plug can get pulled out...

Offline voltronic

  • Trade Count: (40)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 4095
Re: powering options for DPA4061 w/Microdots
« Reply #10 on: July 07, 2015, 08:47:40 AM »
Sorry, I missed that post earlier.

I wonder why DPA uses the microdot rather than locking 3.5mm?  It's good enough for some of the other lav mic manufacturers.
I am hitting my head against the walls, but the walls are giving way.
- Gustav Mahler

Acoustic Recording Techniques
Team Classical
Team Line Audio
Team DPA

Offline Gutbucket

  • record > listen > revise technique
  • Trade Count: (15)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 15683
  • Gender: Male
  • "Better to love music than respect it" ~Stravinsky
Re: powering options for DPA4061 w/Microdots
« Reply #11 on: July 07, 2015, 10:28:02 AM »
Microdot is fully and properly coaxial through the connection, so it might be better shielded than many 3.5mm connections..

But it may be that microdot is more of a lab standard coaxial connection for measurement gear and its use by DPA descended from their B&K origins.  In non-audio high frequency applications it probably achieves better impedance specs where that becomes more critical.

After making accommodations for them, I don't mind them if I don't have to disconnect them regularly.  They seem better as a compact in-line connection than panel mount, where they seem a bit vulnerable to me.

With my upcoming re-rigging, I'm shifting from mini-jack to mini-xlr wherever possible, partly because they are locking, and partly to handle more than two signals through the same connection wherever necessary, for better management of the cabling for 4 to 6 channels by reducing the number of separate cables and connections.

The gory details of the re-rig for anyone interested- For the 4 x 4060 rig using standard dot-terminated mics, I'll be making a new short-breakout adapter (4 female microdot > 6-pin mini XLR).  Probably using two of the cables I've linked above instead of old male dots cut from other mics plus barrel adapters to separate stereo 3.5 plugs as I'm now doing.   For the 6 channel rig I'll be building a 6 channel snake, with longer female-dot terminated cables to the four 4098 (4098 is microdot terminated right at the end of the gooseneck a few inches from the microphone), and shorter cables spliced to the longer integral wires of a 4061 pair which are currently terminated to a stereo 3.5mm plug.  All those will either terminate to a single 7-pin mini xlr, or in pairs to 3 separate 3-pin mini-xlrs.  I'll re-terminate the 6 PFAs as three 3-pin mini-xlr pairs, and if using the single 7-pin at the end of the snake, I'll also make a 7-pin to 3 x 3-pin adapter.  I'll also need to make a short fullsized XLR to TRS patch cable pair to adapt the 2 of the PFAs to the TRS inputs of ch5&6 on the DR-680.

I'll post some photos once I do all this, probably in a couple months.
« Last Edit: July 07, 2015, 10:33:01 AM by Gutbucket »
musical volition > vibrations > voltages > numeric values > voltages > vibrations> virtual teleportation time-machine experience
Better recording made easy - >>Improved PAS table<< | Made excellent- >>click here to download the Oddball Microphone Technique illustrated PDF booklet<< (note: This is a 1st draft, now several years old and in need of revision!  Stay tuned)

Offline Church-Audio

  • Trade Count: (44)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 7571
  • Gender: Male
Re: powering options for DPA4061 w/Microdots
« Reply #12 on: July 07, 2015, 04:22:17 PM »
I only offer my 9200 preamp or my ugly 2 preamp in microdot I do not make a microdot battery box there is No money in it for me as the connectors are so expensive. I would have to sell the battery box for the same price as a preamp. So I dont make battery boxes for Dpa I have microdots in stock but only for my preamps. I have had several inquires over the last 4 weeks. I just wanted to set the record straight.


Chris
for warranty returns email me at
EMAIL Sales@church-audio.com

Offline 2manyrocks

  • Trade Count: (12)
  • Taperssection All-Star
  • ****
  • Posts: 1664
Re: powering options for DPA4061 w/Microdots
« Reply #13 on: July 08, 2015, 03:15:17 PM »
My apologies for stretching this topic a bit...I get using 4060s in low profile recording applications.  I appreciate that some have even used them in open classical recording.   Their weakness it seems to my thinking/opinion is their durability because of the thin cable, this microdot connector and having to either use a battery box or phantom power adapter to run them.  If someone isn't concerned about going low profile, what would be some other options for a full sized XLR omni of equivalent audio quality in the same $1,000 or so price range?  Rode Nt45 omnis and Line Audio OM1s are not this expensive for example. 

Gutbucket, you've specifically chosen the DPAs over other options.  What do you see in the DPAs that causes you to use them over other available mics?

Offline Gutbucket

  • record > listen > revise technique
  • Trade Count: (15)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 15683
  • Gender: Male
  • "Better to love music than respect it" ~Stravinsky
Re: powering options for DPA4061 w/Microdots
« Reply #14 on: July 08, 2015, 04:49:01 PM »
>They sound great (typical DPA clean clear response)
>Their response is smooth enough that I can easily manipulate the recordings with EQ easily as necessary.
>They are super small and ultra stealthy.
>They are super lightweight, which along with their small size allows me to mount them in odd but useful ways I could not do otherwise: Attached to telescopic antennas arms, allowing a 6' AB spacing from a single small stand, with far less visible imposition than any other spaced omni setup, while folding down into a package about 20" long including the stand.  Gaff taped to aluminum welding rods for thin, nearly invisible stalk mounted spaced omnis along a stagelip.  And other unusual setups as well, but those are my most common open setups using them.
>The rubber boundary mount adapters are a useful option when placed on a wall or stage surface.
>Noise floor of the 4060 is low enough for classical and quiet acoustic stuff.
>4061 can easily be found used, sometimes at low prices (I bought 6 for $500 from an ebay seller, and ended up with 4 good ones)
>The 4098H is the best sounding miniature hypercardioid I've found for my applications.
>They are tough little buggers, I take good care of them as they are valuable, but don't worry if they get rained on.  I've had the omnis completely submerged and they worked fine.

Not to sound like a fanboy, but I do really like the miniature DPAs.  Although seemingly delicate I've not had much problem with the cables, they are quite tough for the size, with an internal kevlar reinforcement.  Biggest problem with the cables for me is that the center conductor is so thin it's a PITA to solder if reterminating.  DPA now offers a heavy-duty cable version option on the 406x omnis, but I've never see one in person. 
musical volition > vibrations > voltages > numeric values > voltages > vibrations> virtual teleportation time-machine experience
Better recording made easy - >>Improved PAS table<< | Made excellent- >>click here to download the Oddball Microphone Technique illustrated PDF booklet<< (note: This is a 1st draft, now several years old and in need of revision!  Stay tuned)

 

RSS | Mobile
Page created in 0.089 seconds with 40 queries.
© 2002-2024 Taperssection.com
Powered by SMF