
Mixing Engineer Philip J. Harvey Relies on DPAs Vocal, Headset and Instrument Mics for Accurate, High-quality Audio.
Since her first GRAMMY Awards performance, pop superstar Lorde has entrusted FOH Mixing Engineer Philip J. Harvey for her live audio needs. Currently, Harvey is wrapping up his work for the singer's Solar Power 2022 Tour across the U.S., where a high-quality, comfortable and accurate audio solution was of utmost importance. Pulling from his experience as a self-taught audio tech working in clubs and on the road with bands such as Medeski Martin & Wood; Mumford and Sons; and My Bloody Valentine, as well as Jack White's The White Stripes, The Raconteurs and Dead Weather, Harvey knew what brand would check all the boxes. He worked with audio provider Clair Global to select a number of instrument and vocal mics from DPA Microphones.
With the recent addition of the new 4055 Kick Drum Microphone, the entire drum set is DPA, Harvey explains. We also have a 2011C Twin Diaphragm Cardioid on the snare top and 4099 CORE Extreme SPL on snare bottom, hi-hats, toms and under heads. On the conga and quinto, we have the 4099 loud SPL. Lorde herself, Ella, is on a d:facto 4018VL Vocal Microphone in silver nickel, then we also have five backing vocalists, and they're all using 4488 CORE Headset Microphones. We started with 4488s from DPA after experimenting with 4088 Directional Headsets through Clair Global. As soon as everybody put them on, we were blown away with how comfortable they were. You can also really get that articulated boom in the perfect place.
Consistently providing the expected results, DPA has been entrusted by Harvey for Lorde's live performances since 2017. I love how natural and real her voice sounds with the d:facto , he explains. The flat response of this mic is a huge asset, and the bleed is completely palatable unlike any other vocal mic I've experienced. That accurate response provides the solid foundation for coloring sounds in the mix any way I want, and it's amazing! All five backing vocalists use the 4488s with wireless belt-packs, which is imperative because the band members are on the move and change stage positions for each song during the set. It was a challenge incorporating headset mics into a pop show, but the 4488s proved to be the best choice for clarity, fidelity and comfort, and are very easy to work with.
Although this is the first tour in which DPA's instrument mics are utilized, Harvey has been more than pleased with the results. For me, it's mostly the flat, accurate response, he says. The off-axis responses are so natural. My feeling is that if you always get the most neutral, flat pick-up of a sound, then you can color it any way you want. If it comes in already colored, then it can work against you. No other microphones have that aspect where the off-axis sounds good. The bleed is usable with these mics and that's really amazing.
Even when he's not on the road, Harvey still finds himself relying on DPA solutions. Since the start of the pandemic, Harvey has been mixing livestreamed productions at TivoliVredenburg, a contemporary music venue in Utrecht, Netherlands. There, he utilizes DPA's 4099 Instrument Mics on many diverse productions, along with the 4006 Omnidirectional Condenser and 2006 Twin Diaphragm Omnidirectional mics for classical orchestrations and 4166 Omnidirectional and 4188 Directional Headsets for lectures and presentations. TivoliVredenburg was my introduction to DPA microphones; using them for the first time was a wow' moment for me, Harvey explains. They work great for live sound and streaming, which means they are more than well-suited for the studio. During the off season, he can also be found at Amsterdam Recording Company, where he hopes to incorporate DPA Microphones into his workflow.
The U.S. leg of the Solar Power 2022 Tour wrapped up on October 1, with three additional stops in Mexico through October 14 followed by a run of festival performances in South America through November 13. The tour will resume in New Zealand and Australia in February and March 2023.
Photo Credits: Lauren Tepfer
More from DPA Microphones
01/05/2025
Voice actor and producer Mark Yoshimoto Nemcoff shares his first impressions of the DPA 2017 Shotgun Microphone, from real-world auditions to side-by-side compa...
03/04/2025
MIAMI, APRIL 3, 2025 Carlitos Lopez (Carlos Fernando Lopez) is a GRAMMY - and Latin GRAMMY-winning producer, composer and conductor who seamlessly bridges the...
27/03/2025
According to Audio Director Brenton Miles, the kit delivered noticeable improvements in sound clarity and reduced the need for extensive EQ adjustments - stream...
20/03/2025
SURREY, UK, MARCH 20, 2025 Legendary Sound Designer and Engineer Phil Wright has traveled the globe with artists, producers and companies to produce a diverse...
18/03/2025
Listen to him talk about his first experiences with music, his love of musical expression, and his use of different microphones to capture the distinct sounds h...
11/03/2025
With two decades of experience in filmmaking, Sound Recordist and Natural History Sound Specialist Ellie Williams brings a host of location experience and train...
05/03/2025
Peter lsted, Production Sound Mixer on a Danish morning show, talks about the challenges of miking up a chef and capturing clear sound in this type of environm...
04/03/2025
The video shows the 2017 Shotgun Mic in action on a mile-straight circuit, delivering incredible high-SPL performance for pass-by recordings. Other DPA micropho...
03/03/2025
The tested 4061 CORE+ Omni lavalier delivers an impressive sensitivity and a wide dynamic range (111 dB), handling sound pressures up to 144 dB SPL with no dist...
13/02/2025
LONGMONT, COLORADO, FEBRUARY 13, 2025 DPA Microphones, the leading manufacturer of high-quality microphone solutions, is pleased to welcome Nicholas Nick Ma...
10/02/2025
The technology has already been launched in the 4060 Series and 4066 and 4466 headsets. During 2025, it will be implemented in DPA's miniature cardioids.
T...
04/02/2025
DPA Microphones is moving into the wireless market with the release of its new N-Series Digital Wireless System at ISE 2025 (Stand 7P600). A fully digital, true...
23/01/2025
CORE is a revolutionary leap ahead in microphone design, blurring the lines of what is acoustically possible, says Helga Volha Somava, Product Management Dire...
16/01/2025
MicroLock is a new compact microphone connector, which builds on the strengths of the renowned MicroDot connector currently deployed with the brand's micro...
13/01/2025
DPA Microphones has acquired the majority share of Vienna-based Austrian Audio. Founded in 2017 by former AKG Vienna employees, Austrian Audio builds on that he...
10/12/2024
To coincide with the release of Gladiator 2', we wanted to highlight St phane Buchers work with director Ridley Scott. This collaboration began in 2020, fo...
20/11/2024
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY, NOVEMBER 20, 2024 Once exclusively a recording business designed to give young musicians a leg up in the industry, Front Row Se...
13/11/2024
SCOTLAND, UK, NOVEMBER 13, 2024 Singer Paolo Nutini's world tour recently wrapped after 130 electrifying shows, where DPA Microphones brought exceptional ...
11/11/2024
Sound engineer and product specialist, Allan Holmberg of Nordic Pro Audio, gives a concise introduction and review of the 2061 Omnidirectional Miniature Mic. He...
11/11/2024
Tagged Products...
15/10/2024
WARSAW, POLAND, OCTOBER 15, 2024 Renowned Sound Engineer Robert Czy ewicz, cel...
09/10/2024
Celebrated independent Live Sound Engineer Jade Payne's career began over 15 years ago in New York's vibrant music scene, where she got her start in som...
07/10/2024
Article by Alfio Morelli from Sound&Lite Magazine soundlite.it
From July 15 to ...
13/09/2024
DPA Microphones releases its new 2061 Miniature Omnidirectional Microphone, a so...
13/09/2024
The 2061 also offers simplicity, durability and reliability combined with DPA's natural sound. We launched the 2061 to appeal to audio professionals who ar...
05/09/2024
Renowned Studio and Live Sound Engineer Andrea Pellegrini recently worked with t...
02/09/2024
Conservatorium Maastricht, an international conservatory, is one of nine music a...
22/08/2024
Following its strategic U.S. collaboration with Wisycom, DPA Microphones is expa...
08/08/2024
Initially billed as a reunion tour, Blink-182's World Tour 2023/2024 marks...
10/06/2024
DPA Microphones and Wisycom, renowned leaders in the professional audio industry, are thrilled to announce a strategic alliance in the United States. Building o...
15/05/2024
Dedicated to the art of music engineering, Simphiwe Smooth Mhlanga spent years training and honing his skills as a freelance sound engineer for both broadcast...
01/05/2024
DPA Microphones A/S, the leading manufacturer of high-quality microphone solutions, is pleased to introduce Jens Jermiin as the brand's new Vice President o...
14/04/2024
A Professional Windscreen Designed for Lavalier and Headset Microphones That Guarantees Highly Efficient Wind Protection and Unrivaled Acoustic Transparency
DP...
14/04/2024
DPA Microphones introduces its new AIR1 Universal Miniature Fur Windscreen at NAB 2024 (Booth C7307). Intended for quick mounting on round, omnidirectional head...
04/04/2024
While spatial audio was taking over the recording industry, the Resorts World Th...
25/03/2024
LAS VEGAS, MARCH 25, 2024 - As a seasoned Sound Supervisor, Fernando Delgado brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the world of sound production, with ...
20/03/2024
Production Sound Mixer Thomas Cassetta creates clean, natural sound with DPA Microphones for standup shows, documentaries and podcasts.
Production Sound and Re...
20/03/2024
The 2017 Shotgun Mic excels in a variety of challenging environments and applications
DPA Microphones will highlight the standout features of its compact 2017 ...
15/03/2024
DPA Microphones will highlight the standout features of its compact 2017 Shotgun Microphone at NAB 2024 (Booth C7307). From its durable construction and ease of...
03/03/2024
Production Sound and Re-recording Mixer Thomas Cassetta has always loved live theater and events, so when presented with the opportunity to work on comedy speci...
21/02/2024
Adored for their emotive lyricism and moody undertones, American rock band Lord Huron burst onto the charts with The Night We Met, a viral hit that caught the...
22/01/2024
While the name has evolved, the DPA Microphones UK team continues its commitment to offering the highest level of service, expertise and support to all users an...
17/01/2024
Brand teams up with Yamaha for production truck that will allow attendees to see and hear esteemed DPA mics used on the grand plaza stage in action
DPA Microph...
17/01/2024
DPA Microphones, together with Yamaha, will showcase a selection of its mics at the new Mobile Listening Studio as part of a Grand Plaza Tour at the 2024 NAMM S...
16/01/2024
New mic captures authentic, high-clarity sound for a variety of applications
DPA Microphones is showcasing its new 2017 Shotgun Microphone at ISE 2024 (Stand 7...
15/01/2024
Julian Willson, Sound Recordist, was filming for a week at the Open golf tournament at the Scottish coastal course of Royal Troon for sponsors NTT Data. He film...
15/01/2024
DPA Microphones is showcasing its new 2017 Shotgun Microphone at ISE 2024 (Stand 7B910, Hall 7). Designed to capture authentic sound with high directivity, clar...
08/01/2024
Welsh National Opera has put on powerful performances for audiences across South Wales for the past 75 years. The historic organization performs a range of show...
08/01/2024
Newest Mic Captures Authentic, High-clarity Sound for Live Musical Performances
DPA Microphones will highlight its new 2017 Shotgun Microphone at the 2024 NAMM...
08/01/2024
Fans recently flocked to cities across North America and Europe for a chance to ...