
California Baptist University's Collinsworth School of Music Preaches to the Choir about DPA Microphones
Technical director for school's music department relies on an assortment of company's mics to solve live miking challenges.
Students at California Baptist University's (CBU) Collinsworth School of Music are not only taught the art of making music, but the best possible way to enhance the performance aspect of their instrument or voice. That's why their professors and mentors turn to DPA Microphones for on-stage amplification, which ensures that students gain first-hand experience with world-renowned professional equipment. With an audio locker that features a combination of the company's d:vote 4099 Instrument Mics, d:fine Directional Headset Mics and a stereo pair of d:screet 4061 Omnidirectional Miniature Mics, the school is guaranteed an audio solution that covers the variety of music department needs for on-campus performances as well as on-the-road ensembles.
Matthew McConnell, technical director for the School of Music at California Baptist University, was familiar with DPA's reputation of excellent quality products, but it was his test seven years ago of a stereo pair of d:screet 4061s as a live miking solution that turned him into a loyal user. Since then, DPA mics have been integrated into Collinsworth's equipment supply, creating a new generation of enthusiasts.
Before discovering DPA Microphones, I'd tried everything to make the piano sound good live, but I wasn't happy with any of the results, McConnell recalls. Since I wasn't having much luck with anything else, I bought a stereo set of the DPA d:screet 4061 mics and thought they were fantastic, and then I just went from there. Now, I don't have many students who haven't used a DPA mic. I'm a firm believer in the observation factor, so if they're seeing the mics in use and hearing them on live recordings, they can better understand the benefit of using DPA mics.
During touring season, students discover, through firsthand experience, the advantages that come along with DPA. This includes ease of use and exceptional clarity, the same factors that McConnell initially found to be valuable.
I bought my first d:vote 4099s because I was trying to solve a problem, shares McConnell. For years, I didn't like the sounds I was getting from the string bass, so I looked around for clip-on mics and pickups, I didn't really like any of those or how they worked. When I found the d:votes, I bought two because of the rubberized bass clip. I loved how easy it was to get the clips off the instrument as well as having some flexibility to be used with other instruments. I tried them out and thought they were great. I also loved how they sounded and how the performers could move around because it's attached to the instrument. As a FOH guy, the sound the mics produce isn't changing when the students move around. I get very consistent sound and levels, which makes mixing so much easier. Once I discovered how well the d:votes worked, I bought more for the cello players and then woodwinds and percussion. I thought, These are great! I'm going to use them wherever I can!'
When McConnell introduced the d:vote 4099s to students, they were wary that the clips would damage their personal instruments. But, once they saw how the rubber clips can easily be unclipped and repositioned on the instrument without any damage to the body, they were eager to use them. The d:vote 4099 creates an effortless solution for students who are in charge of setting up and tearing down their own equipment. Students have also learned of the mics' accurate natural sound, balanced EQs and functionality.
These mics really come in handy for our performances, which are largely led by students, continues McConnell. During the school year, students perform in large ensemble groups at churches and schools throughout Southern California. Upon graduation, we send four elite groups on a two-week tour of America's western hemisphere, where they are tasked with setting up their own equipment. The clipping and repositioning of the d:vote is so simple that two violinists often share one mic connected to a wireless transmitter by swapping it onto their instruments between solos.
In addition to the d:vote series, the music department has integrated the d:fine directional headsets into its mic rotation for vocal clarity. Used primarily on the conductors who often MC their own shows and stand in front of loudspeakers, a potentially problematic spot due to feedback, the school is using the mics in a unique manner.
The d:fine headsets sound great and make it possible for the conductors to wander around and interact with people without feedback issues, adds McConnell. But, the truly remarkable thing about the d:fines is the way we use them for our piccolo and flute players. Since the instruments are so tiny, we had a hard time miking them. We were using overhead mics, but there was a ton of bleed from other instruments. So, we decided to outfit the musicians with d:fine headsets, and it's been great. Since the end of it is so close to the ear where the d:fine sits, the mic ends up producing a sound that's just like the performer hears. We also get great rejection of unwanted noise with the cardioids pattern and we're able to really amplify the flute sound.
Everyone's got it in their head that you need to have a solo flute with full brass choir accompaniment behind it, but on an acoustic stage, you're never going to hear that, he continues. In a studio you will, but not on a live stage without amplification. This has been the best way that I've found to accomplish that. The d:fine tames down the piccolo to make it musical. It's the same thing
Most recent headlines
01/01/2026
Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation Announces 2026 Noel Schajris Scholarship The scholarship will cover tuition and housing for one Berklee College of Music stud...
01/01/2026
New year, new games, all with RTX 5080-powered cloud energy. GeForce NOW is kicking off 2026 by looking back at an unforgettable year of wins and wildly high fr...
31/12/2025
Back to All News
NFL Christmas Gameday on Netflix Scores Again With the Lions-V...
30/12/2025
As the College Football Playoff Enters the Quarterfinals, ESPN Blows Out Its Meg...
30/12/2025
SVG's Best of 2025: Original ArticlesTake a look back at all our coverage of big-time productions, game-changing technologies, and state-of-the-art new faci...
30/12/2025
MELBOURNE, Fla., Dec. 30, 2025 - L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) will release its fourth quarter 2025 financial results before the market opens on Thursday, J...
30/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
30/12/2025
It marked the first civilian operational authorization for a HAPS flight in Europe, led by Space42's subsidiary, Mira Aerospace
The flight demonstrated HAP...
29/12/2025
San Francisco 49ers Strike Gold With Halftime Laser SpectacularStunning display caps $200 million renovation of Levi's Stadium techBy Dan Daley, Audio Edito...
29/12/2025
The Cup's Around the Corner: An Inside Look at Broadcast Preparations for th...
29/12/2025
SVG's Best of 2025: Longform VideoWatch the standout keynote conversations, deep dives, and panel discussions from the year for free on SVG PLAY!By Brandon ...
29/12/2025
From crisper Lossless audio and immersive music videos in beta to new Audiobooks+ plans, custom transitions between tracks, and in-app Messages, we keep levelin...
29/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
27/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
26/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
26/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
25/12/2025
Holiday lights are twinkling, hot cocoa's on the stove and gamers are settling in for a well-earned break.
Whether staying in or heading on a winter getawa...
24/12/2025
What is AI good for? Posted by MTI Film on December 24, 2025
What is AI good for?
What is AI good for?
It's been three years since ChatGPT first cap...
24/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
24/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
24/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
24/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
24/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
24/12/2025
Back to All News
The Boyfriend' Season 2 Unveils Heartwarming Trailer, Key...
24/12/2025
Back to All News
Love, Fights, and Everything in Between: Badly in Love' Returns for Season 2
Entertainment
24 December 2025
GlobalJapan
Link copied t...
24/12/2025
Scripps Research study links sleep variability with sleep apnea and hypertension How consumers' digital activity trackers could enable personalized health s...
23/12/2025
How guilas Cibae as Dominican Winter League Games Are Locally Produced for Glob...
23/12/2025
BitFire's Jim Akimchuk on Supplying Scalability and Customization in the Clo...
23/12/2025
CAMB.AI Enables European Athletics to Offer Multi-Language SupportPlan is to eventually offer translation into all languages spoken in EuropeBy Ken Kerschbaumer...
23/12/2025
Analysis: As sports media values trend negative, scarcity and quality are king By Callum McCarthy, Editor-at-Large
Monday, December 22, 2025 - 14:08
Print ...
23/12/2025
ESPN, Disney, and NBA Return to the Animated Altcast Fray With Second Edition of...
23/12/2025
End the Year on a High Note and Donate to the Sports Broadcasting Fund Today!By Ken Kerschbaumer, Editorial Director
Tuesday, December 23, 2025 - 12:25 pm
P...
23/12/2025
The year is winding down, the weather outside is frightful, and it's the perfect time to escape into a story that warms the heart. For listeners looking for...
23/12/2025
A Zeus motor is hot fire tested at L3Harris' Camden, Arkansas, solid rocket ...
23/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
23/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
23/12/2025
Lightware will exhibit several major product innovations at ISE 2026, including the new USB-C BOOSTER-V1, Google Meet. integration for various Taurus UCX models...
23/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
23/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
23/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
23/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
23/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
23/12/2025
Taking the Stage at Carnegie Hall-On a Global Scale Boston Conservatory Orchestra students reflect on their epic concert marking the 80th session of the UN Gene...
23/12/2025
Back to All News
Netflix's The Great Flood and Culinary Class Wars 2 Top Gl...
23/12/2025
Back to All News
Stranger Things By the Numbers: How the Global Phenomenon Shap...
23/12/2025
Experience the power of WO Automation for Radio's newest service, the System Effectiveness Review. Designed to help you achieve more, a System Effectiveness...
23/12/2025
23 Dec 2025
VEON's Beeline Kazakhstan and Rakuten Symphony Collaborate to A...
23/12/2025
Back to All News
How Steamy Can It Get? Single's Inferno' Season 5 Pre...
23/12/2025
Back to All News
33 Million Global Viewers on Netflix Watched Jake Paul vs. Ant...