d:dicate microphones from DPADanish Professional Audio, or DPA, have an excellent reputation for making high quality condenser microphones and have announced new capsules and preamps to form the basis of a new range, called d:dicate. As well as two new capsules – a supercardioid and an omni – DPA have rebranded their Reference Standard series as d:dicate microphones.
The new capsules are the MMC4018 supercardioid capsule, which is based on the MMC4018V capsule used in the d:facto range of vocal microphones, and the MMC4007 high-SPL omnidirectional capsule, formerly the 4007.
All 4000-series and 2000-series capsules can be used with any of the three available preamps. These are the A pre-amp, B pre-amp that includes low cut and high boost filters, and C pre-amp which is more compact and suitable for discreet mic placement.
The new mics and peramps will be available from August, with Reference Standard series products available immediately.
For more information from DPA, read on.
Press Release: DPA Microphones is delighted to announce the launch of the d:dicate™ Recording Microphone range, which combines the best capsules with the best pre-amplifiers to deliver superior sound for all applications where high quality audio is required.
The d:dicate range includes DPA’s new modular MMC4018 supercardioid capsule, the counterpart to the MMC4018V capsule used in the company’s new d:facto™ Vocal Microphone and one that is ideally suited to applications where clarity and audio quality are critical. d:dicate also includes the well-known MMC4007 hi-SPL omnidirectional capsule, previously known as 4007, now in a modular version. Widely used for measurement purposes, this capsule has an unbeatable dynamic range and can handle extremely high sound pressure levels. Both capsules is widely used for picking up drums, percussion, brass instruments – and for measurement purposes. Both are entirely compatible with other d:dicate preamplifiers.
Completing the d:dicate line-up are microphones from the familiar and well-loved DPA Reference Standard series, which has been absorbed into the d:dicate range with all former Reference Standard products now carrying d:dicate branding. These include the modular 4000 and 2000 series, which are manufactured to perform within very narrow tolerances and offer exceptional linear frequency responses, high SPL and superior gain before feedback. Within the 4000 series there are a wide variety of capsules including the new 4018 supercardiod, 4017 shotgun, 4015 wide cardioid, 4011 cardioid and 4006 omnidirectional. The 2000 series consists of two twin diaphragm capsules - the 2011 cardioid and the 2006 omni versions that are rooted in the design technology of DPA’s classic miniature capsules. All these capsules can be combined with a state-of-the-art A pre-amp, a B pre-amp with low cut and high boost filters, and a C pre-amp, which is a compact version for discreet miking.
Like all DPA microphones, every variant in the d:dicate range delivers clear, transparent and precise sound, along with the robustness and versatility that are the hallmarks of DPA’s ingenious engineering techniques. These high quality microphones are increasingly being employed in harsh live sound environments, particularly on drum kits where there is a demand for exceptional sound quality but where the microphones solution needs to be robust and sturdy so that it can be relied on time after time.
Christian Poulsen, CEO of DPA Microphones, says: “Our new d:dicate Recording Microphone range gives customers the ultimate in flexibility as any microphone in the range can easily be transformed into a new variant simply by choosing a different capsule or preamplifier. Customers will also find that owning several capsules is more cost effective than purchasing a completely new microphone.
“By gathering these microphones into a specific group, d:dicate now joins our other established product groups: d:fine™ Headset Microphones, d:vote™ 4099 Instrument Microphones and d:facto™ Vocal Microphones.”
New accessories have also been developed for the d:dicate Recording Microphone range, including modular active cables (MMP-ER with rear cable entry and MMP-ES with side cable entry) plus modular active booms (MMP-F) that are compatible with all d:dicate capsules. These new microphone solutions can be used in many different situations, for example as a podium microphone on a desktop or podium, suspended for high-end capture or on elegant stage stands. The active booms come in several lengths and configurations with flexible gooseneck and XLR termination, while the new active cable only adds a centimetre to the capsule, making it even more discreet than the compact C pre-amp, while giving comparable performance.
“It was difficult to split the preamplifier construction and make an ultra-compact head without sacrificing the sound quality,” Christian Poulsen adds. “However, we succeeded and now customers can have DPA’s renowned sound quality across many applications where we have not been widely used before, for example installation, concert halls, on stage, etc.”
The two new capsules and new accessories in DPA’s d:dicate Recording Microphones range will be available from August 2013. Former Reference Standard capsules and preamplifiers now included in the d:dicate range are available now.
