Topic: anybody running DPA 4011s?

[jnorman34]

i would like to hear any opinions on the DPA 4011s, and how they compare to other higher-end card mics, like the akg c480s, neumann km140s, AT4051s, schoeps cmc64s, etc.  vielen dank.

[nickgregory]

Mark Lynn runs them.  I believe they use the same or similar capsules as the DPA4022 which is very transparent....unlike the other mics you listed...

[MattD]

Of the mics listed, they are the most neutral. Whether or not you like this depends on your ears and playback rig. I'd list in order of neutrality (most to least): DPA 4011, AKG 480, Neumann KM140, Schoeps MK4s. I haven't heard enough of the 4051s, but I think "cpclark" on this board runs them and can comment if he reads this.

[Lee]

4011 = 4022 sans active cable technology.  Both are extremely well-made mics, fixed card, flat as a board throughout the spectrum.  Great customer service, too.

[MattD]

It's not actually an active cable. The preamp (the "body" of active caps) is film-mounted on the DPAs. The cable coming out is an XLR cable that provides a mic-level signal.

[BC]

4011 = 4022 sans active cable technology.  Both are extremely well-made mics, fixed card, flat as a board throughout the spectrum.  Great customer service, too.

Not totally flat, there is a very slight bump above 10KHz on axis, which drops off rapidly as you go off axis (this peak is gone at 30 deg off axis). I think this has something to do with the airyness and excellent transparency in the high treble, which is something I love about the DPA's.

I really like the DPA low end too. When I started getting into taping there was something about the low end on most of the tapes I heard that did not sound quite right (typically Phish FOB or section in 1997). The DPA's were the first mic that sounded natural to me in this region.

For my tastes the 480's are a bit sterile sounding, and the 140's too underdamped in the very low end, making the bass a bit thumpy. The MK4 is nice but to me has a very distinctive "schoeps" sound, and I preferred the neutrality of DPA's. Of course all the above are great mics and these are just my personal tastes and observations, YMMV.

Take care,
Ben

PS: FWIW I run 4022's

[DPA]

Identical capsule as the 4022, difference is in the preamp stage, thick film FET in the 4022, discreet circuitry in the 4011. 4011 and 4022 sound the same with the 4011 handling 13 dB more than the 4022.
The "magic" is in the capsule!

[scb]

the low end on the 4011/4022 is what makes me love them...

[plucks]

i think the 4011s are great sounding mics.  Personally, i like the 402x series mics more.  
As it has been said, the 4011s have a slight HF boost which can end up being too bright for many people.  
Even though the 402x's use the same cap as the 4011s, when they integrate the "pre" section of the mics (what normally are the body) into a bodyless design, i find the low end to be much friendlier and the high end is not as potentially harsh.  Eitherway, they are as natural and clean sounding as possible.  
You may not pull as good sounding tapes as others in a poor sounding room, but when the room sounds good, it will blow everything out of the water!

in my experience with them, they are an underrated mic when it comes to the low end.  Often times it can be too much!  However, the clarity of the mics is what a lot of people don't like in the live taping scene since they are not as forgiving as some others....

And yes, phish with 4022/4011s sound great...especially in the low end.  Vegas 02 phish with 4022>v3 was probably the best sounding phish tape i made all year.  

phil

[BC]

And yes, phish with 4022/4011s sound great...especially in the low end.  Vegas 02 phish with 4022>v3 was probably the best sounding phish tape i made all year.  

phil

After hearing TK's 4011>V2>AD1000 tapes of Phish at UIC pavilion 1998, I knew B&K's were the only mics for me!

BC

[jnorman34]

so where is the best place to find a good used pair of 4011s, or 4022s?  i never see them used, and new ones cost about $3500pr.  what should i expect to pay for a used pair?

[cpclark]

Of the mics listed, they are the most neutral. Whether or not you like this depends on your ears and playback rig. I'd list in order of neutrality (most to least): DPA 4011, AKG 480, Neumann KM140, Schoeps MK4s. I haven't heard enough of the 4051s, but I think "cpclark" on this board runs them and can comment if he reads this.

the 4051's are a very transparent mic, some have even compared them to the 4011's and 402x series mics. you get what the pa gives you most of the time, and the bass is very crisp

[Chapper]

What is the average price on the 4051's?  

[jnorman34]

you can get 4051s for around $350 each new.  i picked up a used pair for only $500 - probably the best mics i have ever seen for that kind of money.  i like them much better than my km184s.  they are a bit differnt than my c480s, but i wouldnt say one set was necessarily better than the other.  i find the c480s and the schoeps cmc64s to be pretty interchangeable, though the 480s seem to do a little better on close applications, and the schoeps do a little better as a more distant pair in ORTF or NOS.  i also have heard several engineers indicate that the 4051s are very similar to the DPA 4011s.

[muj]

i think the secret of the dpa directional mics,must be the diaphragm,i bet that it is very thin,maybe 1 micron PE?

anyone know the actual size?