DPA Microphones Rises to the Challenges of the Jungle

Researcher and eco-acoustic composer David Monacchi has been using DPA Microphones' 4060 Miniature Microphones to capture the sounds of the rainforest as part of his long-term environmental sound-art project entitled Fragments of Extinction. Monacchi, who is Professor of Electroacoustic Music at the Conservatorio G.Rossini in Pesaro, Italy, is collaborating with various institutions on this project, which involves travelling to some of the world's most remote areas of intact rainforest to record complex soundscape portraits.

His two Hi-Sens DPA 4060s Omnidirectional microphones and accessories were supplied by DPA's Italian distributor M. Casale Bauer.

I use several microphone techniques in the field, most of which involve quite heavy and complex systems, Monacchi explains. DPA miniature microphones are extremely lightweight, making them highly suitable to field work where I may have to hike long distances in extreme terrain. The 4060s are so small that, if appropriately arranged in a handmade stand, they can be used for self-worn binaural recordings. Their dimensions are perfectly suited to being placed at the entrance of the ear canal, providing optimal audio results.

Originally designed for use with wireless systems in theater, television and close-miked instrument applications, DPA's 4060 microphones exhibit a highly accurate omnidirectional pattern. Therefore, the mics need not be aimed directly at the sound source to achieve quality pickup.

This feature is especially useful for binaural recordings, says Monacchi. In order to collect the three-dimensional information, it is important that all the sound reflections from the pinna are picked up in a linear way. The microphones also have very good tonal quality and immunity to infrasound vibration-driven noises, all of which are very positive characteristics in the field. Considering the mics' dimensions, the signal to noise ratio of these capsules is extremely high, making them suitable for low intensity biophonies and distant sound sources. Their extended high frequency response to around 40khz makes them suitable for recording non-audible biophonies like some species of insects and bats.

Monacchi's most recent trip was to Borneo, but he has also visited rainforests in remote areas of the Amazon and Africa. He usually travels alone or with one assistant and relies on local research institutions or NGOs for field support and rainforest explorations.

The project embraces collaborations with Greenpeace and several academic institutions and organizations around the world, he says. Its aim is to collect sound data and complex soundscape portraits of some of the oldest ecosystems on Earth, many of which are being damaged and are disappearing at an exceptionally fast rate.

Working in rain forests brings its own particular set of issues, not least very high humidity that can oscillate from 70 to 99 percent.

My DPA 4060 miniature microphones perform very well in high humidity conditions and are very stable in their performance, even when quick humidity and temperature changes occur, continues Monacchi. Compared to larger and heavier condenser microphones, they are extremely resistant to unwanted impacts, so they are very reliable in the uncertain conditions of remote field trips.

Although a larger diaphragm microphone may provide a better signal to noise ratio, Monacchi notes that he always carries his DPA 4060 miniature microphones because they are so portable and reliable. Considering their dimensions, I think DPA's 4060 microphones are a true miracle of electroacoustic engineering, he concludes. Without a doubt, they are the most adaptable microphones in the world for recording binaural in extreme conditions.

ABOUT DPA:

DPA Microphones A/S is the leading Danish Professional Audio manufacturer of high quality condenser microphones and microphone solutions for professional applications in studio, broadcast, theatre, video/film and sound reinforcement environments. All DPA microphones and components are manufactured at the company's purpose-built factory in Denmark.

For more information on DPA Microphones, please visit http://www.dpamicrophones.com or contact: email: anb@dpamicrophones.com

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