SONGWRITER/PRODUCER MAT MITCHELL ROCKS THE STUDIO AND STAGE TO ITS CORE

Mitchell’s first experience with DPA was in 2007 while working at Lightship 95 Studio, a tonne ship docked on the Thames River in London. “I was recording drums with Sara Jones (Hot Chip, Bat For Lashes) and we used a pair of DPA d:screet™ 4061 Miniature Omnidirectional Microphones as room mics, which did a wonderful job capturing the large metallic belly of the ship,” says Mitchell. “Traditionally, I would have gone with a large diaphragm condenser, but found the d:screet™ 4061’s gave a more ‘real,’ in the room sound to the drums.”

In the 11 years since he used his first DPA d:screet™ 4061 microphone, Mitchell has gone on to add a full complement of DPA microphones to his inventory, including the d:vote™ 4099 Instrument Microphone, d:dicate™ 2011A and 2011C Twin Diaphragm Cardioid Microphone, and most recently the d:screet™ CORE 4061 Miniature Microphone. 

“With DPA microphones, I feel I’m recording the sound of the instrument and not the way a specific mic captures an instrument,” adds Mitchell. “The sound is very open and organic with lots of air. I like using a lot of room mics when I mix drums and the d:screet™ CORE 4061 mics sound so open and natural, and add a nice clarity to the drum mix. In addition, I tend to listen to tracks loud and the CORE technology gives me lower distortion and maintains the mics’ warmth and clarity even at high SPLs. If I want the sound of a room, I use my d:screet™ CORE 4061’s. Their flat response makes me feel like I’m in the room. If I need isolation, I use my d:vote™ 4099’s, the mics’ off-axis rejection is crazy.”  

Another reason Mitchell enjoys using DPA microphones are their EQing benefits. “Prior to using DPA mics, I found myself immediately going to the EQ to build the instruments’ sound,” says Mitchell. “With the DPA’s, I record flat. They make me sound good.”

In addition to the high-quality sound of the company’s mics, Mitchell is also very impressed with DPA’s mounting accessories. According to Mitchell, “I absolutely love all the mounting options that I have with my d:screet™ CORE 4061 and d:vote™ 4099 instrument mics. I feel like I’m opening my spy kit when I dig into my DPA mounts. DPA has a mount for everything and the mics are so small they don’t get in the way of the player.”

Mitchell plans to continue to use DPA mics whenever possible on projects moving forward. He is currently tracking the first LP for the band, The Beta Machine where he is using DPA microphones on keyboards, drums, guitars and piano.