FINALLY: new "DPA 4080" Miniature CARDIOID Microphone, Lavalier, Black

[danlynch]

It might well be "indistinguishable" from the 402x series when applied to the setting he describes, but for our purposes its just not going to come close to capturing the bottom end like the 402x mics.

[illconditioned]

It might well be "indistinguishable" from the 402x series when applied to the setting he describes, but for our purposes its just not going to come close to capturing the bottom end like the 402x mics.

I often don't need excess bass in my recordings.  Many venues overdo the bass anyway, so having some roll off is not that bad.
Should be interesting to see the design of this.  Will it be a vertical diaphragm like the 406x?

  Richard

[dactylus]

for the latest update:

Mike,
here is a "by the way":
I was looking at the taperssection.com site and saw a thread on our new 4080's, here are some points:
1. specifically designed as a lav mic for broadcast and sound reinforcement human voice applications
2. integrated mic/windscreen/shock-mount/cable management clip system with replacement parts available
3. shock mount looks "flimsy" but designed to withstand a weight of 10 kilos with a very long duty cycle.
4. cable management system eliminates ALL cable noise.
5. Proximity effect distance for "linearity" is 10 inches, the normal distance of lapel mount to mouth for the mics' intended application
5. Wide response/flat versions that will be more applicable to location recording coming soon....perhaps by mid-fall.

For the record I have made several recording of acoustic guitar with the 4080 "as is" and was stunned by the quality of results...definitely slightly hyped in the upper mid range where the vocal presence boost is located, at a distance of  approx. 6 inches away. If DPA never offered anything else, I would gladly use this for "close" miking on stage for acoustic instruments...it is way better than ANYTHING I have ever heard in this size format. Excellent rear rejection...unlike anything ever offered in a lav sized mic. As a "budget" mic I would use in studio for any "mid range" acoustic source. Wider low end response at distances less than 10 inches.


THIS JUST IN:
Just received a set of prototypes of a "20 to 20K" flat response version with the intended application of "hanging" mics for over choir and/or orchestra..recorded acoustic guitar as well as solo voice here at our offices with jaw dropping results. When compared to 4011 and 4021's the sound is almost indistinguishable. Being our harshest critic, I am more than impressed.

Mike, you can use these comments as your own from a reliable inside DPA source...I thought you might want to be "inside the ropes" on this.

Stay tuned....

Thank you Mike!!  Where do I get in line!  +T


           

[macdaddy]

for the latest update:

Mike,
here is a "by the way":

THIS JUST IN:
Just received a set of prototypes of a "20 to 20K" flat response version with the intended application of "hanging" mics for over choir and/or orchestra..recorded acoustic guitar as well as solo voice here at our offices with jaw dropping results. When compared to 4011 and 4021's the sound is almost indistinguishable. Being our harshest critic, I am more than impressed.

Mike, you can use these comments as your own from a reliable inside DPA source...I thought you might want to be "inside the ropes" on this.

Stay tuned....

cool!

+t for the info

[spyder9]

I'm interested.  It would be cool if they developed a encapsulated version where they had hypers as a choice.  The wait-n-see will be fun too.   

[danlynch]

It might well be "indistinguishable" from the 402x series when applied to the setting he describes, but for our purposes its just not going to come close to capturing the bottom end like the 402x mics.

I often don't need excess bass in my recordings.  Many venues overdo the bass anyway, so having some roll off is not that bad.
Should be interesting to see the design of this.  Will it be a vertical diaphragm like the 406x?

  Richard

Don't get me wrong, this could end up being a nice option for compact microphones -- may in fact may end up being the best possible choice at this price on the market.

But frankly, the idea that it will be indistinguishable from the 402x series is pretty misleading.  It will have the clarity and crisp high-end that DPA consistently delivers, but a microphone with these specs is just going to sound thin on the bottom end when compared to the 402x mics, whether a venue is bass-heavy or not. 

[prof_peabody]

It might well be "indistinguishable" from the 402x series when applied to the setting he describes, but for our purposes its just not going to come close to capturing the bottom end like the 402x mics.

I often don't need excess bass in my recordings.  Many venues overdo the bass anyway, so having some roll off is not that bad.
Should be interesting to see the design of this.  Will it be a vertical diaphragm like the 406x?

  Richard

Don't get me wrong, this could end up being a nice option for compact microphones -- may in fact may end up being the best possible choice at this price on the market.

But frankly, the idea that it will be indistinguishable from the 402x series is pretty misleading.  It will have the clarity and crisp high-end that DPA consistently delivers, but a microphone with these specs is just going to sound thin on the bottom end when compared to the 402x mics, whether a venue is bass-heavy or not. 

Dan - it's called the "shiny new effect".  Anything shiny and new is always better.  I'm sure the new mic will be sweet - just how sweet remains to be heard!

[danlynch]

Yes, and apparently people have felt strongly enough about this shiny new thing as to be so offended by my comparisons to the 402x series to the point of giving my -7 t's since yesterday.  Apparently speaking the quantifiable truth about two comparative microphones is worth quite a bit of negative karma in this topic.
Unfuckingbelieveable.

[prof_peabody]

Yes, and apparently people have felt strongly enough about this shiny new thing as to be so offended by my comparisons to the 402x series to the point of giving my -7 t's since yesterday.  Apparently speaking the quantifiable truth about two comparative microphones is worth quite a bit of negative karma in this topic.
Unfuckingbelieveable.

Almost as fun as the people who message me on torrent sites to see if I can EQ the recordings better.  Fact of the matter is what you hear is what you get when running DPA402X > Aerco.  That's why I like it.  Schoeps sound nice, but it's not what I heard at the venue.... too much color.

[kgreener]

It might well be "indistinguishable" from the 402x series when applied to the setting he describes, but for our purposes its just not going to come close to capturing the bottom end like the 402x mics.

Don't get me wrong, this could end up being a nice option for compact microphones -- may in fact may end up being the best possible choice at this price on the market.

But frankly, the idea that it will be indistinguishable from the 402x series is pretty misleading.  It will have the clarity and crisp high-end that DPA consistently delivers, but a microphone with these specs is just going to sound thin on the bottom end when compared to the 402x mics, whether a venue is bass-heavy or not. 

I've heard plenty of 406x recordings and the bass is definitely not shy, so I don't see why the '20-20k flat response version' 4080's couldn't do the same.  not saying they are equal to the 402x series, nor am I say they will be indistinguishable, but amazingly deep bass is definitely obtainable in these little suckers.

[illconditioned]

It might well be "indistinguishable" from the 402x series when applied to the setting he describes, but for our purposes its just not going to come close to capturing the bottom end like the 402x mics.

Don't get me wrong, this could end up being a nice option for compact microphones -- may in fact may end up being the best possible choice at this price on the market.

But frankly, the idea that it will be indistinguishable from the 402x series is pretty misleading.  It will have the clarity and crisp high-end that DPA consistently delivers, but a microphone with these specs is just going to sound thin on the bottom end when compared to the 402x mics, whether a venue is bass-heavy or not. 

I've heard plenty of 406x recordings and the bass is definitely not shy, so I don't see why the '20-20k flat response version' 4080's couldn't do the same.  not saying they are equal to the 402x series, nor am I say they will be indistinguishable, but amazingly deep bass is definitely obtainable in these little suckers.

It is much harder to get bass response in a directional (eg., cardioid) mic than in an omni.

As I said earlier, though, many people roll off bass anyway, so the mic doesn't have to be that bassy.  As long as it is clear and detailed, which I'm sure it will be...

  Richard

[kgreener]

Excellent point, Richard. 

+t

[prof_peabody]

It is much harder to get bass response in a directional (eg., cardioid) mic than in an omni.

As I said earlier, though, many people roll off bass anyway, so the mic doesn't have to be that bassy.  As long as it is clear and detailed, which I'm sure it will be...

  Richard

People generally rolloff base because the old school 2-wire batt boxe set-ups could generally not handle those spls right?  I don't think base rolloff is all that necessary in most situations. 

Also... a few people reading this thread deserve one of these: 

[illconditioned]

It is much harder to get bass response in a directional (eg., cardioid) mic than in an omni.

As I said earlier, though, many people roll off bass anyway, so the mic doesn't have to be that bassy.  As long as it is clear and detailed, which I'm sure it will be...

  Richard

People generally rolloff base because the old school 2-wire batt boxe set-ups could generally not handle those spls right?  I don't think base rolloff is all that necessary in most situations. 

Also... a few people reading this thread deserve one of these: 

Some people like the bass, but most clubs I go to overdo the bass.  I often record with really lightweight mics, like Sennheiser MKE40.  If I can get cardioid and really clear mids/highs, that is most of the battle.  Now, I would add bass to the MKE40, but something with a little more bass would be just fine for me.  To each is own, I guess.

I'm most curious on the physical design of this mic...

  Richard

[Nick's Picks]

what ?
you mean they didn't produce this ...specifically for low profile concert taping ?
HOW DARE THEY!