Hey all! Jumping into this thread since I got myself a set of the 2012s. With a bit of persuasion from Chris and after listening to some of Mr. Terry's tapes, I decided these would be the first mics I got in the world of taping. (Thanks Chris for the recommendation!)
Really enjoying these microphones so far. The build quality is superb - nice, compact form with a quality feel and weight. They feel substantial enough that I don't mind tossing them (gently) into a bag without a case. Price wise they are very competitive. These really do feel like good value. I'm no doubt a big DPA fan now.
To me they sound very neutral, extremely detailed. Bass response has been a good surprise - it's hefty bass that feels natural and weighted, but doesn't come across as muddy or bloated. It's the same story for treble - cymbals are natural and airy, with extremely smooth response. There's no sibilance or unfavorable twinge-inducing treble here. If I were to nitpick and ask for something more, occasionally I wish there was a more forward presentation with a bit more forward presence. I think that's mainly a characteristic of a small diaphragm rather than the microphone itself. Perhaps it can be worked out a bit in mixing and mastering (of which I'm no expert). I've definitely had my eye on a set of 2015s as well to use as a complement to these 2012s.
I also have a set of the DPA 4560 binaurals (which are a set of DPA 4060s in headset form). This past week I taped Nickel Creek with the 2012s in ORTF and the 4060 omnis in a spaced configuration. I think the mix came out great. The 2012s have so much detail - the transient response is so clear. The omnis provide a very nice presence to the whole recording.
I've also tested the 2012s out in more of their original intended use cases - miking up my acoustic guitar and mandolin. No doubt these microphones are superb for this use too. When I taped the Nickel Creek show, the sound guy was also running a set of 2012s as room mics. He said that he first used them to mike up Sierra Hull's mandolin at the Ryman and they sounded so good there, he had to buy himself a set.
Check out my Soundcloud - almost everything on there is recorded with the 2012s.
https://soundcloud.com/umamibeatHappy to be on team DPA for now!