Topic: Can't decide which Omni's to get...DPA 4053's or DPA 406X...

[manitouman]

Wow, lot's of good info...

One more thing...4060's or 4061's? We're talking loud amplified shows.

[dennisrtyler]

i've had em both. 4060 is just more sensitive. same mics otherwise.

[manitouman]

i've had em both. 4060 is just more sensitive. same mics otherwise.

So they are bound to pick up more unwanted noise? Such as a beer bottle being thrown in the trash, people talking on their phones, etc.

[dennisrtyler]

i've had em both. 4060 is just more sensitive. same mics otherwise.

So they are bound to pick up more unwanted noise? Such as a beer bottle being thrown in the trash, people talking on their phones, etc.

no. it just means they require less gain from your 702. they are both gonna pick up the beer bottle just fine.

[Gutbucket]

4060 has a bit lower self noise and a higher total dynamic range than the 4061.  The max SPL is a slighty lower but still way high enough.  With very loud material its hot output can overload some cheap input circuits but that won't be a problem with your Sound Devices gear.

You'll hear every detail of that beer bottle clinkage, transparently.. unless you place your body, buddy, girlfriend/wife or some other type of baffle between the clinkage and mic. Personally, my female partner is often quite baffling.

[dmonkey]

I gotta throw a little love out there for the 4060s as well. After having not used mine for quite a while (running either the Beyers or KM140s), I did a matrix recently with my 4060s taped to the sbd booth in the back of a medium sized venue. I was skeptical about how it would work, but I just didn't feel like running the KM140s (couldn't run a stand at this venue). Worked great, and I really dig the difference in sound compared to the 140s. Would I run 'em all the time? Well...no, but for a small rig for that situation I was very pleased.

I run mine thru the MMA6000, which I originally bought because I wanted the 4060s for stealthy situations (run into MMA6k and into R09). I have to pick up a pair of those XLR adapters now -- thinking about putting a pair of these up on stage with a long xlr cable run to the back of the room for running matrix at more rowdy shows (where I stress out about watching my 140s get banged around on their stand up at stage lip!). 

[boojum]

I have the 4061's which I am quite happy with.  I just recorded a Vivaldi choral piece withe the 4061's alongside a pair of 4006TL's which I can post in the next few days if there is any interest.  They are great mics and very unbotrusive if mic stands are a "line of sight" problem in a venue.

[illconditioned]

I have the 4061's which I am quite happy with.  I just recorded a Vivaldi choral piece withe the 4061's alongside a pair of 4006TL's which I can post in the next few days if there is any interest.  They are great mics and very unbotrusive if mic stands are a "line of sight" problem in a venue.

Would love to hear this!  I've never heard a side-by-side comparison before.

  Richard

[burris]

There's no comparison, sonically, between the 4053's and 4060's.  I've recorded rock and roll with the 4060's and they aren't in the same league as the 4023's you have now.  The 4006/405x really is one of the best mics made.

Think carefully about how you intend to use them.  If you're talking about low profile audience recordings, I don't think you'll do better than the 4023's you have now.  Omnis will get you more crowd and room at best.

If you really want the omni sound, I would get one 4053 and one small figure-8 like Schoeps CCM-8 or Neumann KM-120.  The figure-8 can be used with either the 4053 or the 4023 in mid-side configuration.  Use the 4053 downstage and the 4023 for audience recording.  You get a really small, quick setup with stereo width that is adjustable in post.  With a stud, shock, and quick release, you can just whip that sucker out of your bag and onto a stand in like two seconds.  Easy hand-hold or table mount...  Omni sound without the hassles of AB or using a baffle, plus a new even more low profile way to use your 4023.

[manitouman]

Thanks for all the great information and suggestions. I'd really like a pair of the 4053's. My intent is to use them mostly in open/outdoor venues such as Red Rocks and summer festivals. I've found that in the open air venues the omni's are fantastic. I'd also like trying some on stage mic'ing with them to see how that works out. I know DPA makes a widecard compact mic but that's not for me. I'd rather have a set of the cards and omni's. Still looking for a used pair...which reminds me, I need to call DPA. Probably after the holidays though.

[boojum]

I have the 4061's which I am quite happy with.  I just recorded a Vivaldi choral piece withe the 4061's alongside a pair of 4006TL's which I can post in the next few days if there is any interest.  They are great mics and very unbotrusive if mic stands are a "line of sight" problem in a venue.

What's a free website where I can post FLACs of the 4006TL/4061 tracks??

TIA   

[scb]

buy based on how often you'll use them.  If you just want some omnis to mess around with, get the 406x.  if you plan on using them all the time, go with the 405x