Topic: DPA Mics - which one?

[Carson]

Hi all,

Think I've settled on the setup I want - DPA MMA dVice into my iPhone - and now I'm looking to buy a DPA mic. But I'm slightly confused as to which one to buy - not helped by the seeming lack of used options (ebay seems to mostly have older dscreet mics which are beige and have non-Microdot connections). My understanding is I should go for the 4061 but there are mini and regular versions (I think?), as well as a variety of voltage/SPL configurations. I presume I need to go for the extreme SPL option, if the dVice can provide enough power for it.

In addition, I don't really know where to buy used DPA mics (other than this site or ebay, and there aren't many options on either). There are a few sites selling new DPA mics (I'm UK-based) but I'd like to save a bit and buy used if possible.

One other question - do you find there's a difference in the length and thickness of the mic cable between models? I'd like the shortest, thinnest cable possible for stealth reasons. If anyone has any pics for scale that would be super helpful - I've been trying to youtube unboxing videos to get a sense of the size but there doesn't seem to be much there.

[one8ung]

Picture for scale...

[gambra]

The bulk of used DPA mics are gonna be ex theatre or performance mics, that's why theyre all beige (they get used to blend into skin tone). Theyre also going to have oddball connectors for whatever mic pack system they were used with so unless you know how to redo the connector theres unlikely to not be an adaptor. They could also have pretty battered from use even though they can take it well.

Other thing is the DPA MMA dVice is quite hard to find nowdays, its been off the market for a few years.

[Carson]

Thanks, that explains the odd connectors I've been seeing!

Managed to pick up an MMA dvice off ebay for £300, which is a steal. There's someone on ebay selling some 4061 omnis for £125 each but they're on holiday so it won't let me buy. Worth a punt for that kind of saving - if it ends up a bust, I can probably get the money back from ebay. The next show I'll be taping isn't till February so I've got plenty of time over January to test out the rig and fix any problems.