
DPA's d:dicate 4011 Solutions Build a Bridge Between Studio and Live Sound.
With over 35 years of playing, performing and recording experience, renowned saxophonist George Shelby has been on stage with a vast array of artists. He has recorded and/or performed live with Beyonc , Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind & Fire, Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Elton John, and many more. When Shelby joined legendary Phil Collins for his Not Dead Yet - Live! tour, he made sure to bring along his trusted d:dicate 4011 Cardioid Microphone from DPA.
While at the NAMM show this past year, Shelby met the DPA team and discussed his live and in-studio mic needs. I tried out the d:dicate 4011A in the studio and it instantly became one of my favorite mics, he say. I kept playing on and off microphone because the response was so true that I couldn't believe that was my sound coming out of the speakers. With the MMP-A mic preamp that came with the MMC4011 capsule, the sound was just fantastic. It's one of those situations where I am happy with what I hear because it gives me my sound without any color.
For live use, the solution had to be unobtrusive and clipped on the saxophone to provide freedom of movement. With DPA's modular d:dicate system, Shelby paired his 4011 capsule with DPA's MMP-G preamp - fitting most wireless systems - and the GSM4000 Gooseneck Shock Mount in the sax clip (STC4099). Once I tried the MMP-G, it solved all my problems when playing live, says Shelby. This d:dicateTM 4011 solution exceeds expectations. There are a couple of saxophone features with Phil Collins where the tone on the horn becomes incredibly important. Phil's FOH engineer and I went through several mics before we landed on the d:dicateTM 4011 with the G-preamp. I'm always looking to get the most natural sound I can on stage and the d:dicateTM 4011 solution is by far the best sounding of all of the mics we tried.
One of Shelby's biggest apprehensions, prior to using the d:dicateTM 4011 with the MMP-G and GSM400 live on stage, was flexibility. It's always a concern when using a small mic, because you usually sacrifice something in quality, especially on the low end, says Shelby. With this d:dicateTM 4011 solution, that was not the case. Alto sax can be a very bright instrument on its own and I was sensitive to not add any top or brightness, and just get a true representation of the sound. The d:dicateTM 4011 totally did that for me.
The modularity of the d:dicateTM 4011-series has also allowed Shelby to easily transition from a live mic to a studio mic while on tour. As a touring musician, I have been recording on the road in between shows, adds Shelby. With the d:dicateTM 4011, I simply pop the capsule onto the longer MMP-A mic preamp and it becomes my go-to studio mic. It's not only satisfying my needs on stage, but when I'm back in my room, I have a mic that sounds fantastic for remote recording. The bottom line is that no matter where I am in the world, people are going to expect quality recording and the d:dicateTM 4011 delivers that.
With a break after Collins' tour ended, Shelby stayed in Europe and did a series of clinics and master classes for Yamaha, where he continued to use the d:dicateTM 4011. Shelby has released several CDs with his own group, and continues to perform at jazz festivals around the world, including Montreal, Montreux, Monterey, Tokyo, Manila, Nice and Paris.
The great thing about DPA d:dicateTM microphones is that it is a modular system, he concluded. You can screw the mic onto the larger A-preamp or the smaller bell mounted G-preamp, and then you just pop on your attachment for whatever wireless unit you have. Most importantly, the mic sounds fantastic both on tour and in the studio.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
15/07/2026
Brazilian media organization builds nationwide CDN with Broadpeak's high-performance software for low-latency streaming and new content distribution service...
15/07/2026
DHD announces a new utility designed to increase the efficiency of its audio mixing systems during initial installation and subsequent configuration.
Anyone w...
15/07/2026
BCNEXXT Brings Next-Generation Vipe to IBC2026, Breaking the 1:1 Channel-to-Server Ratio New innovations liberate broadcasters from legacy playout infrastructur...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Home to leading manufacturers, robotics pioneers and infrastructure builders, Japan is one of the world's centers of AI - building across the full stack wit...
14/07/2026
South end zone videoboard, cloud-based control system will be ready for 2026 football season...
14/07/2026
Redesigned website, enhanced mobile app unify content, ticketing, and personalized fan engagement...
14/07/2026
Agreement spans sponsorship sales, digital monetization, radio production, and new practice facility naming rights...
14/07/2026
Independent league adds 14 regional sports network affiliates, growing distribut...
14/07/2026
New strategy aims to unify competitions, content, fan engagement, and commercial...
14/07/2026
ESPN and Disney+ become exclusive home of PFL events in key international MMA market...
14/07/2026
Gill will oversee engineering, technology, and sports operations across the company's 64 local television stations...
14/07/2026
Submitted by North American Broadcasters Association (NABA)
As broadcasters con...
14/07/2026
Modernized mobile unit combines HOME Apps, mc 56 console, and IP infrastructure ...
14/07/2026
Every match of the 32-team tournament will air across ION and Scripps Sports platforms in English and Spanish...
14/07/2026
FloHockey to stream every game of the annual international tournament under four...
14/07/2026
Victory+ telecasts to be simulcast on TEGNA-owned station, expanding free local distribution...
14/07/2026
Plug-ins for heavy music
Avalanche Tones is the brainchild of Ava Toton, a 17-year-old musician and developer who says her goal is to make the lives of gui...
14/07/2026
Launched alongside new Singer Showcase purchase model
IK Multimedia's innovative vocal-synthesis software has just gained its latest voice add-on, the R...
14/07/2026
Registration open until 1 September 2026
The MIDI Association have revealed that the registration deadline for this year's MIDI Innovation Awards has no...
14/07/2026
88-note model completes MK4 range
Novation have just introduced the final model in their flagship MIDI controller keyboard range, the Launchkey MK4 88. Roun...
14/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/07/2026
IBC2026 has unveiled a powerful Conference programme bringing together global media leaders, technology innovators, creators, sports organisations, broadcasters...
14/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/07/2026
Broadcast Solutions, a leading systems integrator and provider of innovative solutions for the broadcast media industry, has delivered two highly capable outsid...
14/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/07/2026
Editor's note: This post is part of the Nemotron Labs blog series, which exp...
14/07/2026
Techtel Successfully Relocates AICD Broadcast Studio to New Sydney Headquarters
BroadcastBroadcast EquipmentLive StreamingBroadcast Studio2026
14 July Writ...
14/07/2026
Tuesday 14 July 2026
First look revealed for Friday the 13th prequel, Crystal ...
14/07/2026
When immersive audio dominates industry headlines, it's easy to assume that every broadcaster is preparing for an Atmos future. The reality is quite differ...
14/07/2026
Emma and Sophie from ICG's marketing team joined thousands of fellow marketers, brands and agencies at MAD//Fest London 2026, one of the UK's biggest ma...
14/07/2026
Why Trusted and Secure Media Operations Matter In this series, we explore the technologies, architectures and operational realities shaping modern media operati...
14/07/2026
Pilot Project Shows How Retailers Are Prepared for the Next Step in the Evolution of Digital Commerce
Arvato Systems Drives Agentic Commerce Forward
G terslo...
14/07/2026
As part of this commitment, weve joined the SME Climate Hub, publicly pledging to:
measure our greenhouse gas emissions
reduce them in line with a net zero p...
14/07/2026
Power is AI infrastructure's inescapable constraint. How many tokens an AI factory can generate within a fixed power budget determines its revenue and profi...
13/07/2026
The Braves opted to keep production in-house rather than hand it off to MLB...
13/07/2026
Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, including new deals, departures, and assignments compiled from press releases and repo...
13/07/2026
Eurovision Sport is making live athletics more accessible to fans than ever befo...
13/07/2026
The Milwaukee Bucks will return to full-season over-the-air television for the 2...
13/07/2026
SMPTE has announced an expanded education pathway for media technology professio...