Topic: DPA decision (I think) - just a couple more Qs....

[divamum]

As you may recall, I've been vacillating between HEB's and 4060s for some months as I researched my new mics.  At last, I'm just about ready to take the plunge!   Assuming that the prices work out (I'm going to call Cascade and Sweetwater and... any other vendors to recommend while we're at it?) I've decided to go with native 4060s.  Clearly running 1/8" plug in to either the Edirol or the iRiver isn't really going to work out  in the long run (esp since I have the Core at my disposal)so I've kind of accepted that and so have mentally "reconfigured" my options. 

I can't afford it right now, but since ultimately I think I'm going to want an MM6k to run into my Edirol R09 my current plan is:

-  pair of native DPA4060s (vendor reccs in addition to the above welcomed)

- battery box

-  breakout cable from Len so that I can run them with the Core 2496 I have and go optical into the iRiver

The BB is my biggest question - I'd like the smallest, lightest BB I can get.  Stealth is ALWAYS my prime concern.   Recommendations? The DPA one looks pretty huge (and it's pretty expensive too!).  Any suggestions welcomed - I know a few of you have "alternate" BBs and would love to hear more...

Thanks again for the input over the months as I got my ducks in a row for this!

[BWolf]

check the yard sale.  there are some DPA 4060s available right now...

[divamum]

check the yard sale.  there are some DPA 4060s available right now...

Thanks for the tip, but I need black and I think on this occasion I want the warrantee  that goes with "new" (the longer guarantee is one of the things that decided me between HEBs and "real" Dpas)

But thanks for pointing it out!

[Sanjay]

If you have them modded into a 1/8" plug any sound professionals battery box will work, and they are TINY.

Alternatively Chris Church makes an outstanding pre that has microdot connectors (which will come on the dpa's standard) that not only powers the mics but allows you to adjust levels.  It is a bit larger though.

[rePat]

If you're running only out of the MIC2496, why not do one of the following:

Set your jumpers in the MIC2496 to plug-in power, and get the DPA 4060's wired to a mini-xlr that matches the input of the MIC2496.  No need for BB or break out cable.

or

Get the XLR breakout cable from Len, and get some Phantom Adapters (SP had XLR to 1/8").  No need for BB, and leaves the MIC2496 more flexible if you want to use other Mics that require P48.

Good Luck,

Pat 

[gorlando]

I have a similar configuration with DPA4060 which I can connect as follows:
- To a MIC2496 (through a CoreSound breakout cable), in which case the power to the mics comes directly from the MIC2496 (have a look at CoreSound website on how to configure the MIC2496 to feed the DPA's);

- directly to my MT 24/96, which can power the DPA4060 - see the following post:
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,76898.0.html - The only problem is that you don't have a MT 24/96 

- Through a battery box (see the above referred post for the description of the battery box I have built, which works perfectly). This requires only two 6.2Kohm resistors and two 2.2 microfarad condenser, the difficult part is to find a 5-pins mini-XLR's to connect to the CoreSound breakout cable (which you would need anyway to interface the microDOTs) but maybe this is easier in the USA.


Please let me know if I can be of help with additional information or else. I would build a battery box for you, but transport from Italy would be expensive. Moreover I am now in the UAE for work reasons and will go back to Italy in July, which is a bit too long for you, I suppose.
Giovanni

[divamum]

Clarifications:

- I don't want to configure only to go to the Core 2496, because I also run an Edirol R09 which has no optical; I love the iRiver and plan to continue using it as well, but these days i find I'm using the Edirol more and more since I've been very impressed with the sound at 24bit.

- I don't want to go only 1/8" mod because I ultimately want to add an MM6K

- None of my other equipment is P48, and I don't foresee my ever buying larger mics for open taping - everything I do is stealth  (I'm one of the opera singers who reads and posts here - my recordings are pretty much exclusively of my own performances, and it's vital that the equpiment be as small and unobtrusive as possible)

Thanks for the tip on Chris Church - I didn't realise he did a BB for these mics.

WifiJeff, if you're out there don't I remember you saying you had a supersmall bb for your DPAs?

edits cuz my tpynig SUCKS today!

[WiFiJeff]

Well not super small, but much smaller and lighter than Core Sound's tank.  I got it from Sound Professionals, it's plastic and light, 9V powered with the same connector as the Core Sound one (I was using HEBs then and Core would not build a plastic battery box, Chris at SP was very helpful and didn't rip my eyes out on it either).  SP may be able to build a smaller one now, I just got a tiny battery box from them powered by a 12V A23 cell to power AT853s and other small mics (not DPAs), with Binder connectors out to go to my MiniR82.

Jeff

[divamum]

Thanks Jeff - didn't realise you had used that with HEB's.

Anybody else with sources for a small microdot power supply?   

I've got a quote on the mics from Cascade ([gulp] man this is an expensive past-time!)  - anywhere else I should be checking for prices?

Thanks again, as ever!

[Galen]

I ordered my DPA's straight from Bruce Pres of DPA USA. Even went into the warehouse & matched a pair for me (besides the box, the matched pair is the only diff between DPA & HEB). I would not buy from Len, personally, as I did not have good customer-service experience with him (as many other tapers I know). 3 months to diagnosis a problem on CSB? Come on. That said, I know some tapers that love HEB's & the switchable bass filter is nice for less than ideal taping situations.

All said & done, got mine for a little over $1200.

[divamum]

I've DONE IT!!

I purchased from Sonic Sense in the end, which is the best price I was quoted.   I still feel slightly sick at having just put out nearly a grand for mics but, I there we have it. Whee! I'm a REAL junior gearslut now!!
 

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

Welcome to Team DPA. You will not be disappointed.

[JD]

Welcome aboard. My 4060 recordings still amaze me. You made good choice.