DPA’s New Reference Standard Mic Range Makes Sweet Music in Provence

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Pic cap:             DPA’s Michael Trolle mikes up a cast member

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Pic cap:             Setting up the DPA4015C mics in the D3 Decca Tree

DPA’s  new Reference Standard series of microphones have been used for a large  outdoor event in Aix-en-Provence by French rental company Texen. Parade(s) was the opening concert for the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, and  featured the London Symphony Orchestra, the Estonian Philharmonic  Chamber Choir and various soloists, performing Verdi’s La Traviata.

A selection of DPA’s new Reference Standard microphones, including the  2011A and 2011C twin diaphragm directional mics, was used for the  concert. A total of 18 2011As and 2011Cs were used across orchestral  instruments including violas, cellos, flutes, trombones, bassoons and  marimbas. Four 4011As and 4011Cs were used for percussion and timpani,  with 4011-TLs for 22 violins and a harp. For  the choir, six 4098H hanging supercardioids were mounted directly on  XLR adaptors on tall stands, pointing downwards, while five soloists  were fitted with 4088-F directional headset mics. Additionally, 4015C  compact wide directional mics were used in a DPA D3 Decca Tree mount  suspended over the stage, with another three used for horns.

According to François Mondié at Texen, using DPA was a natural choice.  “We’ve been working for a long time with Didier Rupin from DPA’s French  distributor Audio2, to introduce DPA mics to our customers in the South  of France,” says Mondié. “From the 4060 miniatures, through the 4088  headbands and through to the new 4099 clip mics, we offer them to our  clients to raise the profile of the DPA range.

“During one of the first production meetings  for this event back in March, I immediately realised that Texen would  need some help, so I called to Didier from Audio2. He understood our  needs, and drew up a partnership agreement to work together on the  concert.

“We faced the enormous task of updating the mic list given to us by the engineer Bernard De Almeida, as well as staff from the LSO staff, exchanging their entire mic list with the new DPA range.”

Thomas Goeuriot, who was babysitting Bernard  De Almeida at the concert, is also a longtime fan of DPA microphones,  but this was the first time he had worked with the new mic series. “The  Reference Standard series is for me unbeatable, with its elegant design,  and an improved result over the DPA microphones I already knew,” he  says. “My preference is towards the 4011s, with their very precise and  neutral vocal tones. The 4015 capsules give a ‘wide cardioid’  directivity, which was very interesting with the horns and gave us an  overall sense of unity from the suspended Decca tree as well.

“I don’t normally work with just one  brand of microphone. Nevertheless, thanks to the diversity and quality  of the DPA mics, the results were extremely satisfying. My thanks to  Didier Rupin from Audio2 and Michael Trolle from DPA for their work on  this concert.”