Topic: DPA-406X Mics

[sml42]

Oh yes. And fuck coresound and the excuse they call "customer service". DPA all the way.

[illconditioned]

sorry, just to clarify

I voted for 4060s, on the basis those will probably cover 90% of all your requirements. For the few times you are in high SPL situations, it is nice to be able to choose between these and 4061s...

Just run the 4060's into something that has lots of headroom, like the Edirol R09.  This (plus a battery box) is an excellent combination - really hot mics for quiet shows, so you don't need a preamp at all.

I would have stopped here, except that I really don't like the DPA sound.  Super realistic and detailed, but It always seemed a bit "harsh" to me.  I much prefer Nevaton MKE400 or Countryman B3.  Those have a much more pleasant sound to me.

  Richard

[Dede2002]

sorry, just to clarify

I voted for 4060s, on the basis those will probably cover 90% of all your requirements. For the few times you are in high SPL situations, it is nice to be able to choose between these and 4061s...

Just run the 4060's into something that has lots of headroom, like the Edirol R09.  This (plus a battery box) is an excellent combination - really hot mics for quiet shows, so you don't need a preamp at all.

I would have stopped here, except that I really don't like the DPA sound.  Super realistic and detailed, but It always seemed a bit "harsh" to me.  I much prefer Nevaton MKE400 or Countryman B3.  Those have a much more pleasant sound to me.

  Richard

OK, I have to ask.
Can I run a Countryman B3 pair modified with a single mini plug > 9V bb > R-09HR?
Thanks in advance 

[jmz93]

I'm currently using 4061's into the Church Audio ST9100 preamp, then into the line in on my Edirol R-09HR.  I recorded some acoustic jazz up close with the preamp turned up full and the R9HR set to level 52/80, apparently this is close to unity gain. 

I recorded a loud Steely Dan tribute band last night, again really close, with the preamp gain at about 60%, R9HR input set the same as before.  I recorded with the preamp's bass filter engaged last night, but without that for the acoustic jazz.

[illconditioned]

sorry, just to clarify

I voted for 4060s, on the basis those will probably cover 90% of all your requirements. For the few times you are in high SPL situations, it is nice to be able to choose between these and 4061s...

Just run the 4060's into something that has lots of headroom, like the Edirol R09.  This (plus a battery box) is an excellent combination - really hot mics for quiet shows, so you don't need a preamp at all.

I would have stopped here, except that I really don't like the DPA sound.  Super realistic and detailed, but It always seemed a bit "harsh" to me.  I much prefer Nevaton MKE400 or Countryman B3.  Those have a much more pleasant sound to me.

  Richard

OK, I have to ask.
Can I run a Countryman B3 pair modified with a single mini plug > 9V bb > R-09HR?
Thanks in advance 

You can certainly run the B3 with a battery box.  You can either cut the XLR connector off, or buy a (sometimes cheaper) "pigtail" version of these mics.

I'm still experimenting with:
- two wire vs three wire power (they are by default two-wire to the XLR power module, at approx 9v, but I don't think they should be)
- powering directly from Edirol and/or Sony PCM D50 plug in power (this requires more testing)
* getting a matched pair

* I noticed some variation in the mics, particularly in the bass response.  I was able to get one pair hand-matched by Chris Countryman.  I've got a second pair pending matching.  If you buy the mics, buy conditional on testing the match.

 Richard

PS: Comments welcome on my B3 recordings.  I think they're excellent, but I'd like to hear what others think., eg., compared to some DPA and Sennheiser stuff I've put up.

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

I run the 4060's so I voted for those.

As others have said, I went with those so I can get better results with quieter music. I have NEVER had a single problem with the sound being too loud.

[javertim]

Does anyone know where I could buy a set of the DPA-4060s that terminate in a single 1/8" plug? I know that Core Sound offers a set like this, but I'm fairly certain that they are hardwired into the battery box.  I'm looking for a set that I could plug into my own preamp.

[live2496]

I have listened to quite a few samples from recordings made with the Core Sound HEB's and preamp.

I like the uncolored sound of the 4060 capsules. If you have a great sounding room they are the way to go. Really good eq curve and accurate reproduction of the low end too. Surprisingly, really good for capsules that small.

[NewTaper]

Just run the 4060's into something that has lots of headroom, like the Edirol R09.    Richard

I taped THE POLICE with 4060+bbox+iriver => NO PROBLEM close to the soundboard in a big indoor arena ...10.000 people, but closer to the stacks my iriver would have brickwalled as only +4db gain headroom where left. ARNI99

 I recorded some acoustic jazz up close with the preamp turned up full and the R9HR set to level 52/80, apparently this is close to unity gain.  JMZ93

What exactly is Gain / Unity Gain ?

I have seen this term a few times and I am not sure I fully understand it.
If someone could give a quick explaination or point me to a good resource on it.

Thanks - NT

[Church-Audio]

Just run the 4060's into something that has lots of headroom, like the Edirol R09.    Richard

I taped THE POLICE with 4060+bbox+iriver => NO PROBLEM close to the soundboard in a big indoor arena ...10.000 people, but closer to the stacks my iriver would have brickwalled as only +4db gain headroom where left. ARNI99

 I recorded some acoustic jazz up close with the preamp turned up full and the R9HR set to level 52/80, apparently this is close to unity gain.  JMZ93

What exactly is Gain / Unity Gain ?

I have seen this term a few times and I am not sure I fully understand it.
If someone could give a quick explaination or point me to a good resource on it.

Thanks - NT

When people talk about gain. They are talking about the amount of "boost" a single requires to reach a good level on a recorder. When we are talking about unity gain we are saying the the signal going in is the same as the signal going out of a device. So if you take a preamp and you plug a set of mics in you can adjust the levels on the preamp so they are the same as the signal coming straight from the mic it self. Unity = the same input level expressed in dB & the same output level expressed in dB or Decibels.

Unity gain
http://www.sweetwater.com/expert-center/glossary/t--UnityGain

Decibel 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decibel



Chris

[fourdegreeswarmer]

Does anyone know where I could buy a set of the DPA-4060s that terminate in a single 1/8" plug? I know that Core Sound offers a set like this, but I'm fairly certain that they are hardwired into the battery box.  I'm looking for a set that I could plug into my own preamp.

Actually Core Sound will do a set of 406Xs terminated in a single 1/8" - without the after market connectors used on the HEB sets - so you are free to plug it into anything you like. You'd just have to email Len and get a quote.

[NewTaper]

What exactly is Gain / Unity Gain ?

I have seen this term a few times and I am not sure I fully understand it.
If someone could give a quick explaination or point me to a good resource on it. - NewTaper

When people talk about gain. They are talking about the amount of "boost" a single requires to reach a good level on a recorder.
So if you take a preamp and you plug a set of mics in you can adjust the levels on the preamp so they are the same as the signal coming straight from the mic it self.
Unity = the same input level expressed in dB & the same output level expressed in dB or Decibels. Chris Church

I know this may be quite obvious and staring me in the face but how would I go about performing a test to determine the above ?
Is there a guide to follow or a tutorial anywhere that can help me do this test and determine where the Unity / Unity Gain is with my set up ?

Thanks - NT

[guitard]

I can't say I prefer them based on experience, because I don't own them yet - but I have heard some amazing tape pulls at loud shows from 4061s.  I've decided to get a set for use at shows when I can get a decent spot to record.  However, as I often end up in the cheap seats, I know I also need a set of cards, and that is my next mission: to decide on what my second set of mics will be.  I've got the new model Edirol on the way, so things are starting to come together for me.