DPA Microphones Capture the Sound of Andrea Bocellis Orchestra

DPA Microphones Capture the Sound of Andrea Bocellis Orchestra

The Italian Tenors sound engineer Andrea Taglia insists on DPA, especially for close miking strings.

Andrea Taglia, live sound engineer for the famous Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, is a huge fan of DPA microphones and rates them as the most technically advanced and sonically transparent microphones on the market.

It is therefore no surprise that Taglia personally owns a selection of DPA microphones and regularly sources additional units whenever he is on tour with Bocelli.

Ive been using DPA microphones for many years and bought my first stereo d:dicate 4006 Recording Microphone when it was still known by the old Bruel & Kjaer name, Taglia says. I first became familiar with the DPA brand when I was using DPA miniature microphones on singers in musical productions. Eventually I began experimenting and started using them on instruments as well, which gave me great results. Im now a huge fan and have bought quite a few for my own microphone collection, including d:dicate 4006 and 4011 Recording microphones and a selection of d:screet 4090 and 4061 Miniature microphones.

Andrea Taglia began his career in the theatre, mixing audio for plays and musicals and working with directors such as Peter Stein, Bob Wilson, Massimo Castri. He also worked with classical orchestras and jazz musicians and acted as a live sound consultant designing sound systems for touring and fixed installations such as cruise ships.

I made a conscious decision to stop touring in 2003 when my second son was born, but when I met Andrea in 2006 he persuaded me to go back on the road - although these days I only go on tour with him, Taglia says.

Bocellis most recent concerts have taken place all over the world and in each venue Taglia has supplemented his own DPA collection with additional microphones supplied by DPAs Italian distributor M. Casale Bauer.

We used DPA d:screet 4061 Miniature microphones as close proximity mics for the strings - four on first violins, three on second violins, three on violas and three on cellos, he explains. We have also been using them for our guest violin soloists and for our guitar duo CARisMA, who usually play at Bocellis concerts.

In large and reverberant venues where the noise floor can be pretty high, it is important to have good close proximity microphones to help reduce feedback and deliver more attack and a more present and detailed sound. This is especially important when the orchestra is playing over pre-recorded tracks.

Taglia adds that DPAs wide range of instrument clips and accessories adds an extra dimension to the versatility of the companys products.

DPA has always been very careful about providing the correct accessories so that users can get the best from their products, he says. For example, the DPA MHS6001 rubber suspension, which we use on strings with the 4061, is a real problem solver as it is universally accepted by every musician, even on very expensive instruments. They are happy to use it because it doesnt actually touch the instrument. Instead it allows the microphone to float under the strings on the rubber mount.

Im also a big fan of the DMM0007 rubber holder as it allows me to position a 4061 miniature microphone very close to the strings on an acoustic guitar without annoying the musician playing it. With this solution I can get the full sound of the instrument in a way that wouldn't be possible with a pick-up.

Taglia adds that he uses his own DPA microphones on a daily basis as they are invaluable for live recording work and for aligning sound systems, which is what he does when he isnt on tour.

Over the years I have used literally tons of DPA miniature microphones on singers in the theatre and Ive also used my fair share of d:vote 4099 Instrument Microphones on double basses and cellos, he says. Every time I need a linear, true microphone that is capable of handling high SPL, I always choose DPA.

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