Topic: DPA 4021 vs. 4022 - preferences?

[JasonR]

Call me curious... I know that the DPA 4021 and 4022 are the same microphone with different cabling (the 4021 having a side-entry, the 4022 a rear entry).  DPA says these sound the same and I'm inclined to agree.  Having stealthed a Schoeps MK4/KC5 setup in a Kangol several times over the past 6+ years, the most frustrating aspect I've found is that the cables poke me in the forehead.  This isn't painful until about an hour to 90 minutes, but then it becomes more than a minor annoyance and really hurts!  I always thought the 4021 with a side exiting cable would be a huge advantage in this respect, but I see a LOT of stealth tapers here run the 4022.  Why?  Is it by choice, or did you (they) just get a deal on the 4022s and suffer a little pain as I have?

The other seemingly ideal setup for Kangol stealthing would seem to be a side address Schoeps capsule like an MK41V or MK4V.  That would leave the cabling exiting in a better direction... around the inner rim of the hat.  I think I'd consider picking up the MK41V since I could use a hypercard anyway for various open taping situations.  I'd never tried stealthing hypercards, so I wonder how well that would even work.  ie: would the proximity to my head negatively impact the capsule pattern to the point that I'm better off just running cards?

Any thoughts?  I'd be particularly interested in any 4022 stealthers who have found a solution to the forehead PAIN. 

- Jason

[gewwang]

I run 4022's in a baseball cap in ortf on the top of the head. I used to run them A-B a little in front of my ears in a kangol but got tired of the Samual L Jackson look. I know others wear them bachelor cap style with the mics in the bill of the kangol.

[not logged in]

i opted for the 4021's over the 4022's for the very reasons you suggest.

using a kangol i think the optimal mic location is in the brim.  this places the mics in front of and a little above the head thereby minimizing interference from the taper's head.

i thought ergonomically the 4021's would work best, and have been pleased with my decision.  while there may be some hat configurations where the entry point of the cable makes little difference, i'm not aware of any configuration where side-entry of the 4021 is disadvantageous.

i also have a pair of ccm4v's and comfortably configuring them in the brim of a kangol is a little easier than the 4021's.  you can't beat the side-address schoeps for kangol stealthing!

[scb]

i got the 4022s because i thought that stealthing with the 4021s, i might be putting too much pressure on the side entry cables in trying to get them to go straight out the back.  but when my 4022s were getting a tune up, i borrowed eric v's 4021s for a springsteen show and had no problems

[MattD]

I opted for the 4021s because of the deal I got, but haven't regretted doing so, even when stealthing (like last night!). Scott may be right about the cable pressure, since at some point, it'd have to rotate to go out the back of the hat, but that likely wouldn't be a problem if you don't do it every day. I also like that the 4021s have a slightly smaller profile because of this.

I could see the 4023s being uncomfy, though! ... but you weren't asking about those.

[Colin Liston]

I have the 4023's and the absolutely KILL my forehead.  But I got a sweet deal on them so I'll have to live with the pain.

colin

[BC]

The 4022 connection seems a bit more robust to me, I know some people who got a bad connection in their 4021's after a while.
I put em' on top of my head, thus no problems with forehead poking, you could try playing around with some different mounting schemes in your hat if you are not happy with the way they are sitting.
Take care,
BC

[JasonR]

Thanks all!  I never thought of placing the mics on top of my head honestly.  Maybe I'll pick up an XL size (instead of Large) Kangol Ventair to give myself a little extra room up there.  I have always mounted the mics inside the brim, held in place with elastic.  I guess on top of my head, I could use an ORTF/DIN(a) bar and avoid poking holes in my forehead with the cables.    Gotta give it a shot.

- Jason

[gewwang]

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=19763.0

My ftp server's down but I'll post the pictures when I get home on Thursday. I mount the caps in ortf in the top of my hat and it's been working great for a year now. I just looked absolutely stupid (as do most people) in that kangol hat.

[nickgregory]

I just looked absolutely stupid (as do most people) in that kangol hat.

speak for yourself, I look like a white version of samuel l. jackson

[plucks]

love the 4023s with the Lemo.  No worries about twisting the cable when wrapping up after the show.

[BC]

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=19763.0

My ftp server's down but I'll post the pictures when I get home on Thursday. I mount the caps in ortf in the top of my hat and it's been working great for a year now. I just looked absolutely stupid (as do most people) in that kangol hat.

My capsule positioning is pretty similar to this one here, maybe a little more foreward in the hat that gewwang but quite close. I rubber band the caps to a little 90° right angle metal bracket I found at True Value and velcro this to the hat inside.

[jason]

love the 4023s with the Lemo. No worries about twisting the cable when wrapping up after the show.

Not to mention you can wire them through smaller spaces and connect them to the mics.  But I can see how that extra length could get in the way of your head!

[gewwang]

But I can see how that extra length could get in the way of your head!

Not if you mount the mics on top of your head. I've been running naks which are twice as long as the dpas in my hat mount and there's no issue with the length difference.

[marc0789]

naks in the hat? feeling oldschool, george?