The new DPA large-capsule omnidirectional microphone, the 4041-SP, has been on trial at one of Europe's most celebrated arts events, the Edinburgh Festival. A number of 4041s, supplied by UK distributor Sound Network were used by BBC Scotland engineers on headline concerts at the larger venues.
 
"We found they worked very well in a tree configuration and they ended up as the main mics for all the large-scale concerts," explained Matt Parkin, the Classical Music Production Co-ordinator who organised the recordings made in the Usher Hall during the Edinburgh Festival.
"We made two interesting discoveries; (a) these mics have an exceptionally high output level and apparently excellent signal-to-noise performance, and (b) they were very bright. We ended up using a high-shelf filter to make them less bright for this application, usually at about 6.3 kHz and anything between -2 and -6dB. Fortunately the Sony desk we were using has very smooth, clean, repeatable EQ so this wasn't a problem — though it might be more of an issue with lesser (or analogue) desks.
 
 
They will certainly be on our wish list for the future, next time any spare cash comes along, or perhaps if there's a similarly busy Edinburgh Festival next year."

Matt Parkin's words were echoed by Graeme Taylor, recording engineer with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra who has recorded their 4 Festival concerts this year in addition to 6 or 7 other concerts). "Although I use DPA microphones on a daily basis, this was my first experience of using the large capsule microphones and I was very impressed with them — they seem ideal for use in a Decca Tree configuration and their transparency and clarity were stunning. I was particularly impressed with the frequency extremes which were handled with what seemed astonishing accuracy."
 
 
With exceptionally low self-noise and high sensitivity, the DPA 4041 is ideal for detailed work, such as micing vocals, strings and other acoustic instruments with large dynamics. The new phantom-powered 4041-SP delivers outstanding performance with an extremely low self-noise of typically 7dB(A) and a THD less than 0.5% at 120dB SPL peak.