Topic: Musings: how do DPA406x make things sound CLOSER?

[divamum]

So, I'm loving them (in case that wasn't obvious:D). I heard my recording from opening night and nearly wept at the clarity, presence, warmth and {insert favorite adjective of choice} they captured.  Breathtaking.

What I'm wondering, though, is... how - unlike other omni mics I've used - do they make everything sound closer? It's like you're RIGHT in front of the source even if you're a hundred feet back.  My tapir was sitting in the orchestra seats almost under the balcony and it's still more present than anything else I've ever used.

So... is this just a phenom of these particular mics, or have I encountered a fortunate acoustic anomaly, or...? Just curious.

Discuss

[Brian]

is it possible you are just getting better spots to record from?

if not, the clarity and detail of those dpa's over the core sounds are what you are hearing most likely.

[nardo]

What grids are you using with your DPA 406x mics? Depending on which, there's a certain bump in the higher frequencies (link to graph: http://www.dpamicrophones.com/module.php?MID=101&itemid=4060-BM&function=pillu), most people would consider "more high and less mid/low frequencies" to sound closer as opposed to the bassy (muddy?) sound of e.g. CSB's.

[guysonic]

So, I'm loving them (in case that wasn't obvious:D). I heard my recording from opening night and nearly wept at the clarity, presence, warmth and {insert favorite adjective of choice} they captured.  Breathtaking.

What I'm wondering, though, is... how - unlike other omni mics I've used - do they make everything sound closer? It's like you're RIGHT in front of the source even if you're a hundred feet back.  My tapir was sitting in the orchestra seats almost under the balcony and it's still more present than anything else I've ever used.

So... is this just a phenom of these particular mics, or have I encountered a fortunate acoustic anomaly, or...? Just curious.

Discuss

The type of mic capsules (these are OMNI), and even more at cause, is  how they are being used makes all the differences in perceived recorded audio qualities. 

So how are your mics being used?   

Describing specifics of the mic array and venue position you used helps know what commonly heard audio 'effects' might be present in the recordings.

OMNI mics used in HRTF array (1-type: headworn in 'some fashion' but with head in-between pickups) allows for recording coherent spacial cues.  This helps with echo location and being able to focus on specific sounds of interest in the presence of many sounds also being recorded.  This is why non-HRTF omni type mic arrays if too far back from the desired sound source, often sound VERY DISTANT with a lot of conflicting sources in non-coherent manner so listener cannot easily focus on hearing just the music. 

If you are using the EXACT IN EVERY WAY array as with previous owned mics, then qualities (better match/frequency/lower distortion) of the newer mics may be making up most of the improvement.   Close to much closer distance perception is especially audible using mics in HRTF array I've noticed using my DSM mics made specifically for this purpose.

More about HRTF type recording in the FAQ section linked to my tips page at:  www.sonicstudios.com/tips.htm