
Brand's Vocal and Instrument Microphones Assist Varying Musical Performances With Sound Quality, Clarity and Reliability
Despite the varied cultural differences across the U.S., one constant theme you can find throughout the country is a love for music. Whether it's used as a tool to celebrate, educate or invigorate audiences, live music has long brought people together and quality audio is always the key to success in these performances. Audio engineers around the globe have consistently turned to DPA Microphones to provide that level of sound reliability and clarity that impresses professionals and enraptures audiences. Such was the case for recent U.S. events including the Catalina JazzTrax Festival, Belmont University's Oratorio Chorus and Orchestra, Danny Elfman at the Hollywood Bowl and the upcoming Los Angeles Ballet's performance of the Nutcracker at the Dolby Theater.
The annual Catalina JazzTrax Festival set on Catalina Island has been made possible for the past 26 years by Production Manager and Audio Engineer Gregg Hudson of Hudson Audio. Hudson has also been aided by FOH Engineer Spenser Bishop of MixOne Sound since 2008, and this season was no different. With 22 bands performing across two weekends, the festival required a quality audio production made possible by a wide selection of nearly 20 DPA Microphones, including 4099 CORE Extreme SPL Instrument, 2011 Twin Diaphragm Cardioid, 2028 Vocal and 4055 Kick Drum microphones.
The room is like a giant fishbowl, one of the hardest I've ever mixed in, and the microphones made it all better, Bishop shares. Everything felt separate and controlled. Normally, I can't put that much of the drums into our mix, but with DPAs on basically the entire drum set, I had a lot of control, which was awesome. The vocal mics were also super focused for the singer to be within 10 feet of the drums and to not get a lot of noise was wild. The 2028 is the best wireless vocal capsule I've ever heard in my life. We haven't had this many great microphones for isolation and control before; the room really needed that.
At Belmont University's brand-new Fisher Center performance hall, DPA mics helped project an astounding presentation by the Oratorio Chorus and Orchestra of Requiem for Colour, a musical, literary and visual journey honoring the lives, legacies and history of Black Americans. Featuring an 80-piece orchestra and 400-person choir, the event was recorded under the direction of Doyuen Ko, Associate Professor of Audio Engineering Technology, who spec'ed the stage with 40 DPA mics. This included the 4006 Omnidirectional Condenser, 4015A Wide Cardioid, d:facto 4018 VL Vocal, 4097 CORE Supercardioid Choir and 4041-SP Large Diaphragm microphones, along with the 4055 Kick Drum, 4099 CORE Instrument, 4011A Cardioid, 4061 Miniature and 2011C Twin Diaphragm Cardioid microphones.
DPA microphones have always been my first choice for classical music recording, for more than 20 years, says Ko. Whether in the studio or for live concerts, they consistently provide a high-fidelity, truthful sound for any instrument or ensemble. The DPA 4011, 4015 and 2011C on strings, singers and percussion delivered a full spectrum and uncolored sound with excellent off-axis rejection and response. I barely used any EQ on them and, as expected, the main Decca Tree setup with DPA 4006 performed beautifully, striking the right balance between ensemble definition and hall ambience. The small form-factor of the DPA 4099, 4061 and 4097 mics allowed me to place them easily and inconspicuously on a jam-packed stage.
To set the mood this past Halloween season, Live Sound Engineer Troy Choi was called upon to run monitors for the Danny Elfman shows at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. To achieve prime audio for an esteemed performance, Choi relied on DPA's new 4055 Kick Drum and 4099 Instrument microphones for the orchestra and drum set, and the brand's 2028 Vocal Capsule for Danny himself. Every time I mix a show, I always try to use DPAs, says Choi. No matter the genre rock, pop or classical it always turns out great. The 4055 provided fantastic sound; the drummer and crew were so happy and awestruck by the quality. I always encourage people to use DPAs for drum sets, even complex rock drumming. If you're looking to go to the next level, DPA is it!
Choi also looks forward to serving as FOH engineer for the Los Angeles Ballet in late December, to mic the company's 65-piece orchestra for performances of The Nutcracker at the Dolby Theatre. For this, he plans to turn to his two DPA 4097 CORE Micro Shotgun, 2011 Twin Cardioid and 4011 Cardioid Condenser mics, as well as 30 DPA 4099 CORE Instrument mics with stand mounts. When I got hired to mix for the Los Angeles Ballet, the first question I asked was if we could use DPAs for the orchestra. I said: If you want me to create amazing sound, I need DPAs.' As a mixer, I will always have choices and options when it comes to mics, but DPA is the only choice in my opinion, especially for orchestras they make it so simple. With DPA 4099s on the brass and strings, as well as 2011s for the woodwinds and 4011s for ambience, you can achieve a completely natural orchestra sound.
Finally, known for providing a once-in-a-lifetime experience for young performers, the Santa Clara Vanguard (SCV) Drum & Bugle Corps took its team to the annual Drum Corps International World Championship Finals with DPA 4099 CORE Instrument mics along for the ride. The team, which competed against 11 other corps and ultimately took fifth place, relied on the experience of Audio Technician Jonathan Yoo, a longtime DPA user, to lead them throughout the competition.
The DPA 4099 is my go-to instrument mic, he explains. Right out of the box, the 4099 raises the clarity and quality of t
More from DPA Microphones
21/09/2023
New location features high-tech upgrades, inspirational settings and modern amenities to drive R&D
DPA Microphones has opened its new headquarters in Kokkedal,...
23/08/2023
Comprehensive solution with a variety of mics and accessories caters to film and broadcast professionals.
DPA Microphones is showcasing its new DLS4000 Locatio...
10/08/2023
General Manager Jeff Weinkauf trusts DPA Microphones for clear and authentic audio
As one of the only performing arts centers of its caliber in the area, Hult...
03/08/2023
Associate Sound Designer Hyder Khalil Upgrades Show's Sound With the Brand's Instrument and Headworn Mics
For the past 15 years, Associate Sound Design...
06/07/2023
Duo Entrusts DPA Microphones to Deliver Authentic, Transparent Sound for The Jo...
06/07/2023
Bundles are Designed to Cover Miking Needs for Specific Applications, From Studio and Live Recordings to Live Events and Location Sound
After an incredible res...
22/06/2023
Sound Designer Gareth Owen Relies on Brand's Instrument and Headset Mics for Versatile and Reliable Live Audio
Known for crafting flawless audio for musica...
12/06/2023
DPA's new flagship mic bundle offers quality and quantity in abundance. We put it to work in a busy studio...
Danish company DPA Microphones have a reputat...
31/05/2023
Simon Allen gets to grips with some of the latest microphones to hit the stage
"I found the 2012 to behave in a similar fashion to dynamic microphones, giving ...
31/05/2023
DPA pulls together a premium family of its compact microphones to lend a larger-than-life sound to drum kits on stage or in the studio.
"DPA makes exceptionall...
10/05/2023
Engineers and Co-owners Julian J. Ludwig and Alberto Gebhard Call on DPA Microphones' Unrivaled Natural Sound Quality for Classical Music and Jazz Recording...
26/04/2023
Listen to Dennie Miller talk about his experiences using DPA mics with Volbeat.
Coming from an audio system engineering background, Dennie Miller, FOH for Volb...
12/04/2023
Sound Engineer and Back-up Mixer rely on DPA's d:facto Vocal Microphone for...
12/04/2023
The solution features the newest 2012, 2015 and 4055 mics, along with the renowned 4099.
DPA Microphones (NAMM Show Booth 14504) launches the DDK4000, the comp...
29/03/2023
Sound Director Tadeusz Mieczkowski Selects DPA for Durability, Reliability and S...
29/03/2023
Newest solutions offer precise sound reproduction for the live stage.
DPA Microphones, the leading manufacturer of high-quality microphone solutions, unveils i...
08/03/2023
GRAMMY -nominated and Eurovision-winning Italian rock band M neskin continues its global ascent to stardom with a world tour and dozens of festivals in every co...
20/02/2023
Brand's 4006 Omnidirectional Condenser Mic Offers Balance and Clarity for Re...
10/02/2023
Vocalists usually don't dwell on microphones like a guitarist would over pedals, pickups and other items, but considering the purest path is the best soundi...
26/01/2023
Brand's Vocal and Instrument Microphones Assist Varying Musical Performances With Sound Quality, Clarity and Reliability
Despite the varied cultural differ...
26/01/2023
Brand's Mics Complement Ensemble's Unique Vocals in Recorded and Live Applications
From first listen, it's obvious that amplified vocal ensemble Ro...
26/01/2023
Studio Owner Greg Miner Relies on Full DPA Microphone Lineup for Inaugural Clients at High-End Recording Space
Nestled in an idyllic wooded setting just north ...
19/01/2023
Sound Designer and Mix Engineer Phil Wright Trusts the Brand's Microphones f...
13/12/2022
Q Up Arts Founder and Composer Douglas Morton Relies on Brand for Immersive Aquarium Exhibit
A journey into the depths of the ocean is out of grasp for most, b...
01/12/2022
FOH Engineer Kenny Kaiser and Monitor Engineer Marty Beath rely on DPA's Live Sound Solutions
Always on the lookout for the newest audio solutions for the ...
21/11/2022
Company Selected from Among Many of the Nation's Innovative Audio Brands
Denmark's top sound companies gathered at the Technical University of Denmark...
18/10/2022
Mixing Engineer Philip J. Harvey Relies on DPAs Vocal, Headset and Instrument Mics for Accurate, High-quality Audio.
Since her first GRAMMY Awards performance...
17/10/2022
The extremes of frequency that the microphone captured helped provide the low end impact I was looking for, and without adding any equalisation.
Sound On Sound...
11/10/2022
Headliner Magazines reviewer brought along 4055 on a couple of live sound gigs for some real-world kick mic testing.
"With my options open, it gave me a chance...
05/10/2022
DPAs Vocal and Instrument Mics Ideal for Variety of Studio and Live Performance Applications.
DPA Microphones will showcase its esteemed studio and live sound ...
24/08/2022
Twenty years after first opening in Italy, the complete original cast of Notre-Dame de Paris is back on stage to celebrate the anniversary.
Following the suc...
09/08/2022
DPA's Micro Shotgun, Headsets and Kick Drum Mic Bring Superior Intelligibili...
06/08/2022
There arent many handhelds that are as good sounding and well-rounded as the 2028.
"Build quality: Nothing but excellent, and I'd like to highlight the fac...
06/08/2022
I think DPA has absolutely knocked this one out of the park.
Live Sound International s Dennie Miller tested our 4055 Kick Drum mic on a wide variety of drums,...
04/08/2022
With the DPA 4055 you get a microphone that is absolutely worth its price and can pass as a high-end all-rounder.
One of Germany s leading online magazines, B...
04/08/2022
German online magazine Amazona.de reviews the 4055 kick drum microphone.
"The linear frequency response of the DPA 4055 is important to mention. In contrast to...
04/08/2022
The leading online audio magazine in France, Audiofanzine, takes the 4055 kick drum microphone to the test lab.
"We compared it (4055) with our faithful Electr...
04/08/2022
Mark Woods puts the 4055 Kick Drum Mic to the test.
"The DPA 4055 looks different. The slender matte-black body flares elegantly into a largish semi-gloss stee...
04/08/2022
Recording Magazines Alex Hawley dives into the details of our 2028 handheld mic.
"The DPA 2028 sounds incredibly transparent. In the time I spent with it on bo...
28/07/2022
Creak Music's Brad King Calls on DPA to Capture Christian Music Duo's Latest Project Live at Their Family Farm.
With their home serving as a pastoral, ...
28/07/2022
DPA Microphones Provide Crystal-clear, Reliable Audio for Array of Award-winning Touring Artists.
Summer tours are back in full swing, and artists are looking ...
23/06/2022
All-in-all I found the DPA 4055 to be an excellent microphone for its intended purpose and I have a feeling that we will be seeing a lot more of this around, pa...
01/06/2022
Please welcome the 4055 Kick Drum Microphone, a specialized kick drum mic for the low-frequency, high-SPL instrument.
Different from traditional kick drum mic...
21/05/2022
Established in 2017, the Getty Music Sing! Worship Conference was designed not only to be a live event, but an experience that stays with you 365 days a year.
...
06/05/2022
DPAs microphones chosen for duo's Set Sound to art performances and recordings.
Capturing sound for innovative, creative projects is one of the most rew...
21/04/2022
DPA Microphones Used by Industry Veteran Joe Carpenter to Catch all the Action.
It's no question that when it comes to live sports broadcasts, audio plays ...
06/04/2022
DPAs Latest Headset and Shotgun Mics Offer Superior Intelligibility in a Compact Size.
DPA Microphones will highlight its latest microphone solutions, designed...
29/03/2022
Sound Designer Phil Wright Chooses a Collection of DPA Mics for Reliable and Clear Audio.
Released in 2019, the movie Joker quickly became one of the top-rated...
25/03/2022
Sharing is Caring Social Media Competition Designed For Industry Friends to Share Winnings.
The return of live events to the world after a slow two years is s...
03/03/2022
DPAs Microphones Capture Audio for Audible Original Sci-Fi Story.
Described as a study in sound, Eminent Domain, an Audible Original, is told entirely from the...