Topic: DPA 4023 levels

[j5brock]

I have run this pair of 4023s several shows.. last night ran some comps between them and my 4v's and my V3 and 148.. long story short - when swapping the mics and pres during setbreak - I noticed that the 4023s needed 12db additional gain vs the 4v's to produce the same levels on the 744t - Should I be concerned or is it normal for different makes of mics to have such varied sensativity?

Jeff

The mics themselves sound great - just require lots more pre

[JasonSobel]

yes, in general, it is perfectly normal for 2 different types of mics to have different output levels.

from the detailed DPA and Schoeps specs, the sensitivity for each mic is:

4023:
7 mV/Pa (at 1 kHz)

mk4v:
13 mV/Pa

the sensitivity spec is a measure of the signal voltage that is output by the mic (in mV) relative to the sound pressure in the room (pascals, Pa).

From the specs, it's clear that the mk4v caps are much more sensitive than the 4023's, so it follows that the output signal from the mic will be hooter, and less gain will be needed on the pre.  Conversely, the 4023 are not as sensitive, so the output signal from the 4023 is lower, and will need mroe gain on your pre.

[RebelRebel]

that is true of DPAs in general I find, always lower sensitivity than mics from other manufacturers(at least all the mics I own). My 4006s are particularly low.

[j5brock]

Thanks so much - I always appreciate the wealth of knowledge here.. Having no electrical background - nor the time to study and learn the electronics behind most of my equipment - I rely on my ears and the school of hard knocks to get better.. and of course - all I can glean from this place...

Jeff

This also now helps make sense of why Doug chose 20db gain for the 148.. as that is all the schoeps really need - where as the 4023s almost always require some additional gain from the 744. Makes me even more interested in the results of the 4023 vs 4v - V3 vs 148 comp that I just ran - as the 4v's only required the gain from the pre and the 4023s had to have additional gain from the 744.. Certainly will add another dynamic to finding the right combo for the 4023s...

[RebelRebel]

Thanks so much - I always appreciate the wealth of knowledge here.. Having no electrical background - nor the time to study and learn the electronics behind most of my equipment - I rely on my ears and the school of hard knocks to get better.. and of course - all I can glean from this place...

Jeff

This also now helps make sense of why Doug chose 20db gain for the 148.. as that is all the schoeps really need - where as the 4023s almost always require some additional gain from the 744. Makes me even more interested in the results of the 4023 vs 4v - V3 vs 148 comp that I just ran - as the 4v's only required the gain from the pre and the 4023s had to have additional gain from the 744.. Certainly will add another dynamic to finding the right combo for the 4023s...

If you like the sound of the 148, try a neve portico 5012, sort of like a brick with gain.

teddy

[stevetoney]

so it follows that the output signal from the mic will be hooter, and less gain will be needed on the pre. 

Ultimately, every conversation gets back to the most important aspect of any mans life, whether intentional or not. 

[jeromejello]

+t for the folks here with the electric skills.

this explains why i always seem to have to run my 460's hot... they are 8mV/Pa
by contrast, the 480s are 20mV/Pa