DPA 4017 / 4018 offer

[Richard Thomas]

http://www.dpamicrophones.com/en/campaign/FALL13-LIMITED-INTRODUCTION-OFFER.aspx

The d:dicate™ series of new superbly flexible, highly directional modular microphones is ideal for long-distance miking applications in broadcast, film, and music recording.

Choose between the following solutions:

1. 4018ES Hanging Supercardioid

Consisting of a 4018 supercardioid capsule, a suspension mount, and a modular active side cable

2. 4017C-R Compact Shotgun Boom Mic in Rycote

Consisting of a 4017 shotgun capsule, a compact preamplifier, and a Rycote suspension and windshield

3. 4018ES-T Table Mounted Supercardioid

Consisting of a 4018 supercardioid capsule modular active side cable, a shock mount, and a table base

When you buy one of these new kits, you just have to register to get 50% off your next purchase of one of these:

MMC4017-FALL13 – Shotgun Capsule

MMC4018-FALL13 – Supercardioid Capsule

MMP-C-FALL13 – Compact Preamp

MMP-ES-FALL13 – Ultra Compact Preamp, Side Cable

It’s simple – just follow the instructions that come with your purchase to register for the 50% discount.

* Offer valid from September 13 to December 31, 2013.

[ncg]

Cheers, but, doh! Christmas is expensive as it is. Lets hope the family understand. 

[VASI]

Have anyone tried the DPA 4018 for dialogue (interior)?

[pvanstry]

I'm about the do a test. I l

[ninjafreddan]

I'm about the do a test. I l

Interesting, please let us know how it sounds compared with the DPA4017 or MKH50.

Thanks

Fred

[pvanstry]

So bought one DPA 4018 with a B pre-amp ( the module with the two filter on it ) to use alongside my 4017-B shotgun.  I am simply amazed.  It sounds really natural, very nice off axis response.  Use it on a long boom inside a gymnasium, was about 36 inches on top of a person and it sounded very good, isolated and totally natural.  Mic is super light, it as a low cut and a high boost ( very cool when you throw a softie on it ).  I used a Rycote lyre invasion 6, with a combination of a standard ( black ) lyre on the front an done of the yellow/green lyre that came with my 4017 ( they are really soft ).  Absolutly no handling noise.  Mic is fairly quiet, not as much as an MKH 50.  Output is decent but again not as much as a 50.  Where it shines, is in a totally natural sound.  

 

Now i will compare side by side ( thanks to Tyler at trew toronto ) a CMIT/4017 and CMC641/4018.  WIll see….

[John Blankenship]

I look forward to your comparisons. Try to do a blind test if you can.

[pvanstry]

Will do...

[Jason A]

Very interested as well. I just happened to contact the US distributor regarding getting a trial last week. This test might save me some time.

[pvanstry]

SO i did my test.  Used the miss on a set of a feature film i am doing. Was filmed in an appartment, here in Montreal.  Wood floors, lots of reflective surface, lots of echo in the rooms and, of course, mumbling actors.  Frames were cutting at about 18"-24" on top of their heads.

 

Tried:

1- DPA 4017B-R

2- Schoeps CMIT

3- DPA 4018B

4- Schoeps CMC641

 

Results: I have to separate the short shotguns and the hypercardiods here.  Both DPA 4017B-R and CMIT are nearly identical.  DPA has more output and is smaller, lighter and cheaper ( actually cost less with a Rycote zep than just a CMIT ).  Also the DPA is more resistant to humidity.

 

Hypercardioids: Schoeps CMC641 is the winner for me.  It's actually my overall favourite ( over my beloved DPA 4017 ).  DPA 4018 is really good but it is so neutral that it lacks warm especially in the lows and low mids.  It is a great mic and probably more a question of taste but the Schoeps seems to be a little tighter in the low mids and because of it, creates a very controlled and smooth off axis transition.  It almost feels like it is proximity effect but at a distance.  It pulls the voice out of the echo and softens the reverberation of the room.  It was instant love on the first take for me.  

 

So in the end, i am keeping my DPA 4017B-R shotgun and purchased a Schoeps CMC641.  

 

THanks

 

Pascal

[RadoStefanov]

Great Review Pascal.

[Jeff Wexler]

Really good review, Pascal, and I'm pretty sure that if I were to do the same careful listening tests you did I would come to the very same conclusion. The thing I appreciate most about your "test" is that it was as true LISTENING test...  for me personally, this is the only test that matters.

[pvanstry]

Thanks guys. I appreciate it. Currently iny mic inventory I have the following:

DPA 4017B-R

Schoeps CMC641

Sennheiser MKH50

Sennheiser MKH30

Thinking, seriously of adding a Schoeps MS set up ( would sell the MKH30 but keep the 50 as it is a great mic especially for interviews ). MS would be a CMC6 with MK4 and a CCM8. Mk4 capsule I could have used yesterday with a tight frame around a dining table with 4 kids.

[SYsounds]

Thanks for the review Pascal, very informative. For the 4017 vs cmit, you said they are nearly identical. Is it possible to elaborate more on those 2? In terms of reach and off axis rejection I can understand them to be the same but sound quality wise is it really that similar? If so that would be a great money saver over the cmit. 

[pvanstry]

To my ears, they both are very similar. 4017 feels a bit tighter and a bit more reach than the CMIT. The CMIT feels a tiny tiny bit warmer in the low mids, similar to the 641 but it is so subtle that, in my mind, Absolutly does not warrant the price difference.

BUT...

If one has a Cmc641 and thinks about using it at the same time as a second mic for two op operation, both mics ( DPA and CMIT ) will sonically work with the Cmc641, BUT the CMIT is slightly better off axis and if booms will be in very close proximity, it will be a tiny bit better than the DPA, at least in headphone. But once it reaches post and speaker, forget about it, I don't think someone will get up and scream " I wished he had used a CMIT !!!".

So I am sticking to my DPA and adding a CMC641 ( which will be my go to mic ).

In schoeps website, there are these articles describing shotgun and pressure gradient mics and their use. Schoeps really is insisting that hyper cardioid should always be favored over shotgun ( interference tube ) for many reasons. And after a couple of days of testing this, I fully agree with them...
To my ears, they both are very similar. 4017 feels a bit tighter and a bit more reach than the CMIT. The CMIT feels a tiny tiny bit warmer in the low miss, similar to the 641 but it is so subtle that, in my mind, Absolutly does not warrant the price difference.

 

[studiomprd]

pvs: " I don't think someone will get up and scream " I wished he had used a CMIT !!!". "

maybe, maybe not, but they'll never get the EMMY.