Topic: Neumann 140's vs. DPA 4022'S Samples Inside

[nedstruzz]

OK, So I had the opportunity to run the following rigs last night at Keller Williams.  Keller played in an old Theatre on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and both sets of mics were on the same stand with less than 5 inches difference in height between the mics, dead front center of the balcony about 30-40 feet away from the stage/stacks.

I would really like to know which recording you think sounds best and since I know we have some Keller haters on the board I choose One More Saturday Night as my sample. 

Both samples are in 24/48.

Lineage:

Neumann ak40's DINa>lc3>km100's>Audio Magic Xtremes>V3 (Gain at 25, Trim all the way up)>DarkTrain Silvers TA3>744t @24/48

And

DPA 4022's DINa>XTC Silvers>V3 (Gain at 25, Trim all the way up)>XTC Silvers>744t @24/48

Description: Neumann_DPA Samples

http://www.sendspace.com/file/7xtt6v


I'll post which sample is which rig tomorrow night and thanks for the discussion.

[newplanet7]

I thought you sold your Noymanns?

[nedstruzz]

I thought you sold your Noymanns?

A friend has asked that I hold onto them until he has enough cash. 

[stevetoney]

As a former DPA owner and a current and past 140 owner, I thought this would be a no brainer.  I've listened a couple of times now and I can't pick which is which.

[dennisrtyler]

i *think* sample 2 is the DPAs

[bhadella]

i *think* sample 2 is the DPAs

I think the same thing.  The neumanns seem to not have the same sizzle or brightness that I sometimes here in DPAs/AKGs.  More natural/less fatigue to my ears. 

[nedstruzz]

I'll just say that I was very surprised at the results.  

[dennisrtyler]

I'll just say that I was very surprised at the results.  

that means i'm wrong

[nedstruzz]

I'll just say that I was very surprised at the results.  

that means i'm wrong

Maybe I should say that I am surprised that there is that much of a difference between the two brands??   

[dennisrtyler]

I'll just say that I was very surprised at the results.  

that means i'm wrong

Maybe I should say that I am surprised that there is that much of a difference between the two brands??   

2 distinctly different sounds really. DPAs have always sounded so clean and clear to me, sometimes too clear. Neumanns otoh always have a little added "warmth" to my ears.

[F.O.Bean]

d/l'ing now, will report back asap

[stevetoney]

Maybe I should say that I am surprised that there is that much of a difference between the two brands??   

Are my ears broken?  You hear 'that much' difference between the two...meaning you're saying you hear alot of difference between these two samples?  I'm missing it...or maybe my headphones need upgrading.

[nedstruzz]

Maybe I should say that I am surprised that there is that much of a difference between the two brands??   

Are my ears broken?  You hear 'that much' difference between the two...meaning you're saying you hear alot of difference between these two samples?  I'm missing it...or maybe my headphones need upgrading.

Sample two seems to have a high end boost that really brings clarity to the whole sound.  They both seem to have very similar mid to low end sound but sample two seems much clearer in the highs. 

I also noticed something very strange about the pick up pattern.  Considering that these are both cardioid mics you would think they would pick up the same amount of crowd chatter.  If you align both samples into an audio program and do an A/B comparison sample #2 picks up a lot more crowd and even seems to boost the chatter.  It's almost as if the sample #2 mics have a wider pattern or Sample #1 mics diffuse some off axis information a bit better.  Very strange.

[bhadella]

.....and.......

[nedstruzz]

Sample #1 = DPA 4022's

Sample #2 = Neumann 140's

The 140's really shine in this situation.  I plan on doing another comp next Saturday at Tea Leaf Green at the 9:30 Club. 

[dennisrtyler]

Sample #1 = DPA 4022's

Sample #2 = Neumann 140's

The 140's really shine in this situation.  I plan on doing another comp next Saturday at Tea Leaf Green at the 9:30 Club. 

well i was wrong. i preferred sample 1 fwiw.

[bhadella]

Sample #1 = DPA 4022's

Sample #2 = Neumann 140's

The 140's really shine in this situation.  I plan on doing another comp next Saturday at Tea Leaf Green at the 9:30 Club. 

well i was wrong. i preferred sample 1 fwiw.

Same here. 

[nedstruzz]

Really?  I thought sample #2 sounded cleaner. 

What did you like more about sample #1? 

[Gutbucket]

Sample 1 sounds smoother overall and a bit more open to me.
Sample 2 has a bit of a silibant peak in the treble.

I eq'd both to taste on slightly dark Senn HD650s and dialed in a slight high end shelving boost for 1 and the same with a notch in it to cut the silibance for 2.  Less of a difference on the low end, though I made a slightly different and smaller adjustment difference which I cant remember now (last night, late). Both sounded good, but forced to chose, I prefer 1.

Thanks for the listen.

[dennisrtyler]

Really?  I thought sample #2 sounded cleaner. 

What did you like more about sample #1? 

sample 2 did sound "cleaner" but that is not always better for me. i like a little color. what's odd is that the "colored" sample was the DPAs. sample 1 was definitely "smoother".

[sparkey]

I think this thread is a great example of how the power of suggestion influences peoples liking or disliking a recording.  If some one would've simply posted a thread that Neumann's sounded just as or almost as good as DPA's, everyone would've been all up their ass about it.

Josh

[danlynch]

Except for me, who has 150s and 4021s and generally prefers the Neumanns.

[stevetoney]

I think this thread is a great example of how the power of suggestion influences peoples liking or disliking a recording.  If some one would've simply posted a thread that Neumann's sounded just as or almost as good as DPA's, everyone would've been all up their ass about it.

Josh

While I agree with what you are saying Josh, I don't think that broad sweeping conclusions can be reached from this comp either.