Topic: Sonic Studios vs. DPA 4060/61?

[Brian Skalinder]

Do it, Brian.
It's allllll butter...

Sooooo...where's the best place to buy these + power source new?  (not interested in Core Sound)

Any other ideas on finding used other than EBay, here, Oade, and DATHeads?

I assume the 4061s are the way to go b/c they're not as sensitive as the 4060?

Is there any difference between the MPS 6010/20/30 other than the output connector?  Probably leaning towards RCA as XLRs are bulkier.

Must...resist...

[zhianosatch]

Sooooo...where's the best place to buy these + power source new?  (not interested in Core Sound)

Haha, I just wrote all of this in an email to "tapper" yesterday...
I bought my set brand new from Marc Nutter and Friends. $625 for the mics, $125 for the MPS. Yep. Great experience.
I wasn't interested in Core Sound. I'll tell you why privately sometime.

Any other ideas on finding used other than EBay, here, Oade, and DATHeads?

None... you're the second guy I know who's lookin' for some!

I assume the 4061s are the way to go b/c they're not as sensitive as the 4060?

Right. I was told that they behave more like typical condensers... plus, why get the 4062s? You're not gonna tape a goddamned space launch... not that one of those would happen anytime soon... so double the reason!

Is there any difference between the MPS 6010/20/30 other than the output connector?  Probably leaning towards RCA as XLRs are bulkier.

Yes. The 6010 can pass 48v phantom to the mics. It's what I use.
You have to watch out for the 406x cables. They're very, very tiny. I screw in the microdot connectors, then click in the XLRs. Man, those XLR cables are HUGE compared to the mics'!

Must...resist...

You know you want to join... we like you... so do the mics...
Armen

[Joe w.]

Is it going to depend on how close I am to the stage or stacks? Will they work to stealth from a theater balcony? Thanks.

They will sound like ass unless you are close to the sound source. Also, if you are in the top of a balcony or against a wall, you will get the reverberent sounds bouncing off of everything.

the HEB's do come with a a battery box option for rolloff, but it only works when going mic in, and i don't recommend going mic in since those are a hot mic.

Any other ideas on finding used other than EBay, here, Oade, and DATHeads?

Brian, there is a yahoogroup called teamDPA.....Try there.

FWIW, I do not recommend the battery box option. the 1/8 out of the batt box blows...., it's metal, heavy and will bash your balls when you crotch it, plus you don't wanna get wanded with that thing in there.

The best bet IMO is to go DPA 4061 > DPA xlr phantom (forget what they're called) > mod-sbm-1 > line in Dat. Don't crank the sbm all the way up and dont go below 4.

[dank]

How would the rolloff not work going mic-in? The battery box doesnt know what its output is being plugged into.

[zhianosatch]

How would the rolloff not work going mic-in?

With HEBs, the roll-off ONLY works going mic in.

The battery box doesnt know what its output is being plugged into.

Exactly. So Len makes them for Sony portables' MIC IN. Anything else you plug your HEBs into won't roll the bass at 6dB/octave at 120 Hz.
One of many reasons...
Armen

[VA_TAPER]

How would the rolloff not work going mic-in? The battery box doesnt know what its output is being plugged into.

Technical answer:

When you use capacitors to filter bass, the frequency rolloff is based upon the capacitor value AND the resistance (ohms) of the network.  The mic and line input have VERY different resistance levels and this causes the rolloff not to work via line input as the resistance is much higher.

peace, chris

[zhianosatch]

How would the rolloff not work going mic-in? The battery box doesnt know what its output is being plugged into.

Technical answer:

When you use capacitors to filter bass, the frequency rolloff is based upon the capacitor value AND the resistance (ohms) of the network.  The mic and line input have VERY different resistance levels and this causes the rolloff not to work via line input as the resistance is much higher.

peace, chris

Sony line inputs are approx. 47K ohms, mic inputs 10K...

[zhianosatch]

... in fact, I'm working this out with Jon at JK Labs right now. Too much damn impedance talk!
Once he gets back from vacation, the plan is to modify my MPS-6010 to accomodate a high pass filter with a steepness of 6 dB per octave with the knee frequency at 85 Hz. The filter for the XLR outs of the box will be designed for 10K ohms impedance (currently, my AD-20, and many other mic inputs) and that for an 1/8" out being added to the MPS wil be designed for Sony line inputs (whose resistance varies from 47K ohms to approx. 58K ohms), particularly, the SBM-1, at 60K ohms.
I can't wait!
A

[zhianosatch]

aaaaaaaa, I know... I slack at work when I can get online!

[BC]

I think the 4060's will do fine in virtually all concert situations, 134dB SPL capability before clipping, I don't think you will ever hear a show that loud. I personally would get these not the 4061's.

Take care,
Ben

[imjustchillin]

i picked up some sonic studio's w/ bat box used a couple years ago and have been very pleased with the results in both stealth and (nerf'd) applications. i haven't come across anyone using the dpa's at the same show yet, but i'd be eager the improvement.  

[dank]

ok that makes sense.  thanks for the detailed answer.  I actually pulled a pretty good distant 4061 tape last night.... Elton JOhn was the unannounced surprise guest last night at the Harley 100th Anniversary Party and I was close to 100 yards away.  What a let down though..... Harley fans wanted to rock!

[§†∑∫åµÞ≥¥]

I thought Dickey Betts was supposed to be there?

[dank]

he played one of the smaller announced events. this party, nobody knew who was playing til it happened.

[Cooker]

Elton JOhn was the unannounced surprise guest last night at the Harley 100th Anniversary Party

This is funny on so many levels. Was he wearing a feather boa?