For Smith’s kit, Meaux utilizes six DPA
d:vote™ 4099 Instrument Microphones for all of the toms and
d:dicate™ 2011Twin Diaphragm Cardioid Microphones on all three snare drums and on the bottom of the base snare.
“We have a lot of mics in a very tight space,” adds Meaux. “Our drum kit is on a 10-foot riser and when you go into big arenas, you deal with different reflections and different sounds. As far as the mics go, the
d:vote™ 4099s and d:dicate 2011Cs sound great and are isolating. For example, sometimes you need a specific mic to hear a specific drum while four other drums are within a three-foot proximity, and the DPA mics are really able to isolate that one drum sound.”
According to Meaux, the DPA mics deliver a true representation of “what goes in, comes out” where other companies often build a predetermined EQ curve into the element of the microphone, which does not help the sound. Additionally, Meaux recognizes that you don’t have to gain DPA mics up wide to get the level you want out of them. “It’s just very natural,” says Meaux. “They are a good representation of proper audio. My ear for standard EQ is quite consistent. If you boost the frequency on it or if you cut the frequency with these mics, they’re very reactive to that specific EQ pattern.”