Line Up feature article: DPA 4017 and 4080

4017 Shotgun Microphone
'DPA’s late entry to the ‘shotgun’ microphone market isn’t just an attempt to keep up with the likes of Sennheiser and Schoeps. DPA has joined with a microphone that will get rivals thinking hard. Interestingly, the polar response of the new DPA 4017 is remarkably similar to Schoeps’ CMIT, and it shares most of the same features too (LF roll-off and high boost switches). The switching is unusual, though, since it is operated with rings running round the entire circumference of the mic. These are easy to use – needles or biros aren’t required here – and have a positive action with a quiet click to affirm their position. In addition, there is a permanent third-order high-pass filter at 50Hz which is handy for reducing the effects of mechanical vibration. The 4017 is also extremely sensitive with an output nearly 5dB greater than the CMIT, while boasting nearidentical self-noise.'

4080 Miniature Cardioid Microphone, Lavalier
'The problem with cardioid mics is that they are far more sensitive to mechanical vibration (cable noise in particular with such tiny mics) and wind noise than omnidirectional mics. However, DPA has been very clever with this design, mounting the capsule in a foam windshield which is, in turn, held captive with a light pliable mount. This arrangement provides damping to the cable and the mounting can rotate on a standard ‘croc clip.’ Initially I feared that this integral windshield design would make it much harder to hide in documentary filming, but in reality this mic is intended for presenters and journalists in highnoise environments, and is much more discreet than a headworn mic that sits by the cheek, while also being more discriminating than a standard omnidirectional lavalier. Like the 4060, it sounds very good and a stereo pair would have great potential for a very compact set up for painless effects-recording too.'


By Simon Jones
Feature article: DPA 4017 and 4080, Line Up February/March 2008, www.lineup.biz