Topic: DPA 4061 + Zoom F3

[Pieteker]

Thinking about trying out a pair of DPA 4061 mics with my Zoom F3 — just wanted to check if I'm understanding this setup right. To make it work, I’d need:

- DPA 4061 (2x) (obviously)
- DPA DAD6001 (2x) (microdot to XLR adapter with phantom power conversion)

Does that sound correct?

[jefflester]

Or a stereo microdot to 1/8" TRS adapter and an XLR-PIP phantom adapter like the Naiant, LOM, or the other one people here have recommended* (name escaping me at moment).

https://reverb.com/item/84801271-naiant-xlr-48v-to-pip-plug-in-power-adapter-2022-black-silver
https://store.lom.audio/products/usi-phantom-adapter?variant=4542168629280
https://www.dodotronic.com/product/xlr-to-pip-adapter/

*Found it, "earsight" I was thinking it had ear in the name...
https://immersivesoundscapes.com/earsight-pip-xlr-adapter/

[Pieteker]

Or a stereo microdot to 1/8" TRS adapter and an XLR-PIP phantom adapter like the Naiant, LOM, or the other one people here have recommended (name escaping me at moment).

https://reverb.com/item/84801271-naiant-xlr-48v-to-pip-plug-in-power-adapter-2022-black-silver
https://store.lom.audio/products/usi-phantom-adapter?variant=4542168629280
https://www.dodotronic.com/product/xlr-to-pip-adapter/

Thank you. I think you mean this one: https://immersivesoundscapes.com/earsight-pip-xlr-adapter/

[mccordo]

You could also get a cable with dual microdot Y > 3.5mm jack and plug directly into your Deity PR-2. This has become my go-to stealth setup. There’s also the dual microdot Riotbox that can be routed to your recorder via 3.5mm jack. I’ve also got that setup, but have only used it for open taping so far.

[Pieteker]

You could also get a cable with dual microdot Y > 3.5mm jack and plug directly into your Deity PR-2. This has become my go-to stealth setup. There’s also the dual microdot Riotbox that can be routed to your recorder via 3.5mm jack. I’ve also got that setup, but have only used it for open taping so far.

Thx!

[one8ung]

You could also get a cable with dual microdot Y > 3.5mm jack and plug directly into your Deity PR-2. This has become my go-to stealth setup. There’s also the dual microdot Riotbox that can be routed to your recorder via 3.5mm jack. I’ve also got that setup, but have only used it for open taping so far.

Can you tell me where I can get such a cable?

[mccordo]

I got my microdot > 3.5mm cable on eBay a few months back from a Chinese seller. It’s held up so far without any issues, but I think Gutbucket may have had an issue with his. You might try to see if Ted G can build one for you that would be better quality than the Chinese version.

[Pieteker]

You could also get a cable with dual microdot Y > 3.5mm jack and plug directly into your Deity PR-2. This has become my go-to stealth setup. There’s also the dual microdot Riotbox that can be routed to your recorder via 3.5mm jack. I’ve also got that setup, but have only used it for open taping so far.

Can you tell me where I can get such a cable?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/226204154629?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=TsaqCyq1Scq&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[mccordo]

You could also get a cable with dual microdot Y > 3.5mm jack and plug directly into your Deity PR-2. This has become my go-to stealth setup. There’s also the dual microdot Riotbox that can be routed to your recorder via 3.5mm jack. I’ve also got that setup, but have only used it for open taping so far.

Can you tell me where I can get such a cable?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/226204154629?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=TsaqCyq1Scq&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

That's the same one I have. Not sure if it's the same seller, but the picture looks exactly the same. The locking 3.5mm plug is great because the PR-2 has a threaded jack so that you can screw this cable in without worry of it coming loose.

[Gutbucket]

^ Unscrew the strain relief to check the solder joints and re-flow them if needed, and add heat shrink to prevent the blue wire jacket from unwrapping.  Good to go after that.

[Pieteker]

I just got a good offer on a single DPA 4061 and grabbed it—still waiting to find a deal on a second one. In the meantime, is it worth using just the one for taping? Can I get something decent out of it, or is it really not worth it until I have the stereo pair?

[Gutbucket]

Worthwhile if only to get familiar with using the mic and recorder, to confirm proper settings on the recorder, and to become comfortable with your methods.  Will you enjoy listening to the mono recordings?  Give it a go, see what you think.  Only you can answer that question.

Mono was the only option for recorded music for a long time!  It can sound very compelling. 

That said, I find making a good mono recording is harder than making a good stereo recording.  It requires less gear and no stereo mic technique, but the constraints about being in the best position for making a good recording are tighter.  Here's where I say something that is bound to be controversial, yet is true.   The same applies to recording for multichannel surround playback.  Its actually easier to make a great sounding surround recording than a great sounding stereo recording, but doing so requires still more gear and technique!

[SMsound]

Run your single DPA mic in mono on the Zoom F3.

Then run it through this:

https://schoeps.de/en/products/accessories/plugins/mono-upmix-plugin.html

At least until you get a 2nd one.

Mono is pretty suboptimal. That said, a great performance in mono beats a less great performance in stereo every time. Pretty much everything we do to make better recordings is less effective than just playing music with more skill. So, absolutely you can still get recordings that you will appreciate (and when that happens, you'll be annoyed you didn't have another mic to max out your taping quality...)

[Pieteker]

Run your single DPA mic in mono on the Zoom F3.

Then run it through this:

https://schoeps.de/en/products/accessories/plugins/mono-upmix-plugin.html

At least until you get a 2nd one.

Mono is pretty suboptimal. That said, a great performance in mono beats a less great performance in stereo every time. Pretty much everything we do to make better recordings is less effective than just playing music with more skill. So, absolutely you can still get recordings that you will appreciate (and when that happens, you'll be annoyed you didn't have another mic to max out your taping quality...)

Thanks!

[capnhook]

  Its actually easier to make a great sounding surround recording than a great sounding stereo recording, but doing so requires still more gear and technique!

Got an example..?