d:dicate Cardiod Microphone and d:screet 4060 provide outstanding, off-axis response
When Legendary Audio Engineer Patrick L. Smith walks on a set or into a studio, people take notice. Recognized as one of the top recording and mixing engineers in the world, Smith thrives on the pressure that comes with his reputation for greatness. He understands that he is only as good as his equipment, which is why he relies on DPA Microphones' 4022 Compact Cardioid Microphone (now d:dicate 4011C Cardioid Microphone Compact) and d:screet 4060 Miniature Omnidirectional Microphone to capture and deliver the unrivalled audio his clients have come to expect.
Smith has been using DPA microphones since 1989, and used them while recording and mixing the film scores to Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing and Mo' Better Blues, as well as during recording sessions with Wynton and Branford Marsalis at RCA/BMG Studios in New York City. My first experience with DPA was their d:dicate 4006 and 4007 omnis back in the late 80s, and I was immediately impressed. I chose DPA microphones for their exceptional quality, versatility and performance. DPA mics work on a wide variety of instruments and applications, and they are incredibly uncolored off axis and transparent throughout the frequency range compared to other microphones.
Smith is also the former four-time Emmy Award-nominated Director of Audio for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, where he worked for 22 years mixing over 4,500 shows. He supervised all audio for the late-night show, which encompassed SFX editing, recording voice-overs, field recording and post production. On The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, we needed a compact but high-quality microphone with outstanding off-axis response and DPA's 4022 (now d:dicate 4011C Cardioid Microphone Compact) fit the bill. DPA mics yield a high fidelity sound with little or no processing (EQ, compression, etc.).
In addition to his incredibly successful run with Jay Leno, Smith has recorded and mixed over 85 award-winning albums for legendary Grammy- , Emmy- and Pulitzer Prize-winning artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Curtis Mayfield, New Kids on the Block, Elvin Jones, Terence Blanchard, Ray Brown and Kenny Garrett. He has also recorded and mixed film scores for Sidney Lumet and John Singleton. His television credits include projects for FOX, NPR, ESPN, HBO, NBC, ABC, PBS, Apple, and several documentaries for the award-winning director/producer Ken Burns. Smith is an accomplished live sound mixer who has mixed in iconic venues from Carnegie Hall to Sydney Hall.
It is a lot easier to get a natural sound in the PA that works for the broadcast mix when using DPA, adds Smith. You have to EQ a lot less when using DPA mics. In addition, DPA mics consistently hold up in all conditions and never fail while being doused with water or yanked on.
Smith's most recent projects include Little Big Shots, American Idol, and So You Think You Can Dance. He is also working on two motion pictures with producer/director Dan Pritzker, and mixing albums for Jeff Watts, Connie Han, Delfeayo Marsalis, and Jazz at Lincoln Center. I never go into a television or music project without a DPA microphone in my arsenal, says Smith. I've been using DPA for over 25 years and have no plans to stop anytime soon.
DPA's 4022 Compact Cardioid Microphone has since been upgraded to a modular version, and can now be found in the d:dicate Recording Microphones series, specifically as the d:dicate 4011C Cardioid Microphone, Compact.
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...
19/08/2026
As the cost of IP nears price parity with traditional SDI, Reynolds argues that ...
19/08/2026
A private 5G bubble was chosen instead of traditional broadcast RF for the race ...
19/08/2026
(L-R) Rafael Manuel and Isabel Sicat attend the Filipi ana premiere during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival at The Ray Theatre on January 23, 2026, in Park Cit...
19/08/2026
Studio owners invited to have their say on rates cuts
The Music Producers Guild (MPG) are inviting UK-based studios to take part in an in-depth survey that ...
19/08/2026
Vintage-inspired desktop interface revealed
Harrison's latest hardware offering sees them head into the world of audio interfaces, delivering a 10-in/12...
19/08/2026
Granular effect remains locked to scale and tempo
Described as your dream granular effect , Minimal Audio's latest creation is capable of turning any s...
19/08/2026
First polyphonic SWAM instrument incoming
Audio Modeling's latest physical-modelling orchestral instrument is just around the corner, and is now availab...
19/08/2026
World Cup Games Generate 84 Billion Minutes Across FOX, Fox Sports 1 and NBCU...
19/08/2026
July brought typical peak-holiday drops in viewership, driven primarily by viewers stepping away from screens and a visible decline in reach across both traditi...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Henry joins BCE as the company accelerates its commercial strategy and expands its international presence across the media, broadcast and technology markets. He...
19/08/2026
iWedia, a leading provider of software solutions for connected TV devices, today announced a major milestone in Android platform optimization with the successfu...
19/08/2026
NTP Technology announces that ST 2110-30 audio-over-IP connectivity with AES67 and RAVENNA capabilities is now available for the brand's world-class audio i...
19/08/2026
Net Insight has been selected to provide its Nimbra platform by the service provider Big Blue Marble, formerly ORS Group, as the core media transport solution f...
19/08/2026
LiveU has supported Coventry City FC and several other top-flight UK football clubs through one of their most demanding live production challenges of the year, ...
19/08/2026
Nature Seekers Documentary Shot with Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF
Brie Clayton August 18, 2026
0 Comments
Filming endangered turtles required camera...
19/08/2026
Neyrinck Brings D-Control Consoles Back to Life on Apple Silicon with D-Control ...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Riedel Communications today announced that Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Perth, Australia, implemented a comprehensive communications infrastructure that brin...
19/08/2026
QuickLink, a leading provider of award-winning video production and remote guest contribution solutions, will spotlight a major leap forward in remote guest con...
19/08/2026
Integrated platform melds media asset management, playout automation and newsroom workflows
EMAM, PlayBox Neo and SNEWS have officially launched Nuvex, a conne...
19/08/2026
Screen Australia releases the Private Investment Toolkit to strengthen screen in...
19/08/2026
Do Aussies truly value local content? Unpacking Screen Currency 2026 with Deirdr...
19/08/2026
There's an early Christmas gift for Bookish fans, as UKTV confirms the re-commission of the hit U&alibi drama, created by and starring Mark Gatiss. Viewers ...
19/08/2026
Wednesday 19 August 2026
Sky gives sports fans the chance to watch multiple liv...
19/08/2026
On Saturday September 5 Katie Taylor will step into the ring for the fight of her life against Flora Pili in front of 80,000 fans in Croke Park. A legendary fig...
18/08/2026
SportStream 2026, a free three-day virtual event, will take place September 15-17. One registration provides access to all three days of live programming and on...
18/08/2026
BeckTV will introduce BeckFlow to the European market at IBC2026, demonstrated on the Providius stand (10.F53).
BeckFlow is a web-based schematic documentation...
18/08/2026
Boland Communications will introduce a SMPTE ST 2110 input option for its 4K monitors at IBC2026, along with a new 55-inch super-narrow bezel display for video ...
18/08/2026
Dolby Laboratories and the Seattle Seahawks have announced a partnership integrating Dolby OptiView into the Seahawks' live streaming coverage, making the S...
18/08/2026
For BMG Executive Producer of Sports Production, Graham Taylor, producing live s...
18/08/2026
TMRW Sports has appointed Rufus Hack as President of Golf, a newly created role in which he will lead the company's golf businesses including TGL presented ...
18/08/2026
SMT will provide race technology for FOX Sports' coverage of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. on August 23, when the NTT INDYCAR SERIES races ...
18/08/2026
The live, YouTube-native roundtables combine fan voices, credentialed reporters,...
18/08/2026
Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, includ...
18/08/2026
The industry legend sounds off on replacing the Heat's iconic Medusa score...
18/08/2026
William F. Rasmussen, the sports fan-turned broadcaster and entrepreneur whose out-of-the-box idea of a 24-hour cable sports network, ESPN, changed forever the ...
18/08/2026
DAZN Group has completed its acquisition of ViewLift, a provider of streaming and digital solutions for sports content owners. The acquisition was first announc...
18/08/2026
The American Association of Professional Baseball (AAPB) has added SI TV, Sports Illustrated's 24/7 streaming channel, as a broadcast partner for the remain...
18/08/2026
The Esports Foundation has announced that the inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC), originally scheduled for November 2026 in Riyadh, will be postponed to Novemb...
18/08/2026
Diversified has announced a new Global Managed Services Practice, consolidating the company's managed services capabilities into one organization. Rob Mello...
18/08/2026
Appear has completed a proof of concept with Thoroughbred Racing Productions (TRP), demonstrating multi-camera remote live production over bonded 5G cellular an...
d:dicate Cardiod Microphone and d:screet 4060 provide outstanding, off-axis response
