Engineer Dave Wooster has recently purchased a selection of DPA Microphones including a DPA 3521 complete stereo kit encompassing two 4021 Compact Cardioid Microphones, two DPA IMK4061 kits featuring a DPA 4061 miniature omnidirectional mic with instrument mounting accessories, and a DPA 4088 compact cardioid headband mic. The new mics are proving versatile enough for Dave to use them in both his Kool World studio and on the road.
 
He is currently touring with Latin jazz ensemble Matt Bianco, bringing together their original lineup of Mark Reilly (vocals), Basia Trzetrzelewska (vocals) and Danny White (keyboards) for the first time in 20 years. The 4061 miniatures are being used for close miking the cymbals, attached to the stands with DPA¹s magnetic mounts. "The 4061¹s dynamic response and ability to handle the vast dynamic range that the band¹s drummer can generate never ceases to amaze," he says. "The imaging of the 4061s is equally outstanding, capturing the intimacy of the cymbals with minimum spill from the kit. Although they are omni-directional, the small amount of spill is kept to a very small amount due to the lack of proximity effect from the mic¹s polar characteristics."  
 
A further 4061 is being used in a unique manner: worn on the chest of percussion player Satwant Singh and used in conjunction with a Shure radio mic bodypack. This allows him to move freely around all his instruments while capturing a very versatile sound and allowing the audience to hear it from his perspective. "Satwant plays some very key pieces within the rhythmic make up of the band, one instance being some very light finger work on the tambourine," explains Dave. "Due to the unique positioning of the mic allowed by the use of the radio pack, I can capture this with no problems."

A further addition to what Dave refers to as "my DPA arsenal of sonic weapons" is the new DPA 4088 cardioid headband mic for trumpet player Kevin Robinson, who also sings backing vocals. "It became apparent early on in rehearsals that a standard mic and stand was never going to work due to some very quick part changes, but using this mic instantly solved the problem, and the clarity is amazing," he says.
 
 
"We also discovered that for a couple of numbers where he plays flute, the capsule position at the side of the mouth was spot on for an up close and personal flute sound. This is a very impressive mic, easy and comfortable to wear, and the artist doesn¹t end up looking like a puppet miming away with the most obtrusive device stuck in front of their mouth."
 
In the studio, Dave has been keeping the DPA 3521 stereo kit busy on a wide range of sessions involving a grand piano, finding that the kit¹s 4021 compact mics provide the ultimate solution for recording a piano both in XY and ORTF stereo configurations. "Since buying the kit I have used almost no equalisation on any of the piano recordings, and clarity, image and consistency are second to none," he says.
 
 
On more contemporary sessions the kit has been used to record a variety of instruments, producing amazing results on some very loud snare drums for a rock-metal project. "It¹s always a bonus when you buy products with a main purpose in mind but end up finding all manner of other uses for them," he says. "All the DPA mics I own have the most true and even response of any mic I have ever used. They provide real, accurate sound and a dynamic range which can easily go from loud rock to intimate classical. I also appreciate their discreet placement as I personally hate microphone stands."
 
Dave first used DPA Microphones for discreet miking while touring with Van Morrison, expanding their use to the studio and for other live clients.