Double Bass Any DPA d'vote 4009B users?

[BHBassman]

I've been playing a great musical for the last month which ends Sunday.
The theater has me using a rented DPA 4009B for the house, & I have an Underwood PU going to my amp for the band, into a Bassbone, as there is also doubling on BG.
I've had this mic on my UB before in an arena & another theater, and now am considering buying one.
Brought my AI Coda last night to try just the mic before the call time, because there is never the right time for the sound man to let me hear my UB with the DPA only, in the theater.
Tough judging the small Coda speaker, but was able to hear a decent representation of my UB-Pizz & Arco, (using Kaplan heavy gauge) compared to the PU.
Have to say, the Underwood was much louder, fuller & distict, as compared to the "airy" tone of the DPA.
Also blended both with a good result.
Would plan on blending either with the Bassbone (also need the Radial BassBug for phantom power) or the 2 ch AI Coda, with a different speaker.
Curious if anyone uses the DPA, blends, etc.
Would appreciate any feedback.
Thanks.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

I don't have one or the other, but from what I read here the DPA only work out FOH well, not for your amp.
A better mic solution for your amp seems to be a Remic green or maybe the Schoeps that Talkbass user Vunz uses if you want to pay that price.

 

[lrhbass]

Remic Green or the Troll...

 

[bassmanbrent]

I agree with what's been said above. The DPA is a great mic, but I haven't had much luck blending it with a pickup or using it alone into my amp. It has only worked well on quiet, drummerless gigs where I've only needed a little extra level. That said, it works really well for FOH applications and soundguys seem to love it. And I don't have to worry about any horrible piezo quack in the mains.

 

[Federighi]

I use DPA into art preamp. Produces the most complex and natural amplified sound I've been able to achieve. Excellent for "sensitive" playing situations where volumes don't reach excessive limits.

 

[GoofusInsanius]

I've used the DPA 4099B twice, only as FOH mic. A bit 'airy' indeed, but very decent sound.

Btw, not that i've used one, but the Headway EDB2 is a 2 channel pre-amp, made for blending a piezo + mic. Maybe that wil suit your need?

 

[Ric Vice]

...Have to say, the Underwood was much louder, fuller & distict, as compared to the "airy" tone of the DPA.

Also blended both with a good result. Would plan on blending either with the Bassbone (also need the Radial BassBug for phantom power) or the 2 ch AI Coda, with a different speaker. Curious if anyone uses the DPA, blends, etc. Would appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

I own a DPA 4099B. It's great for FOH, but really tricky to use as you're only source back to an amplifier. Since the Underwood is a Piezo it can get much louder and "fuller" than the DPA. I tried blending it with a Realist into the Headway EDB-1.
Although I really preferred the sound of the DPA, the Realist was more practical. I think their are better options now. The Ischell contact mic is very reasonable and many TB players have had great success using only that pickup.

Ric Double Bass Pickups - ISCHELL

 

[BHBassman]

Thanks for the comments everyone.
The musical(2 more Shows left!!!!!!)Pit Band is in an intimate stage setting, and has to be soft, with Jazz, Classical numbers, and never a dull moment for UB.
After this Sunday, I do have other shows coming, and Big band, Pops Orch, clubs, combo Jazz, where most settings require a louder UB sound.
I'm happy with the sound my equipment , just got excited when the sound man gave me the DPA for the show in the theater for the month, and have read about the mics & mentioned equipment.
Reckon I'll eventually get a microphone, just not sure which.
Thanks again.

 

[Jesse Dietschi]

I own a DPA and a Lifeline pickup with a 2 channel AI Coda and 2 channel Markbass tube head. Blending on both amps sound great - you can shade more to the mic or pickup side as needed for the room, band, etc. Most versatile setup you can have IMO. No pickup will ever amplify arco as naturally as a mic, but no mic will deliver the rumbling lows playing pizz that a PU can. Solution? Both!

 

[Jesse Dietschi]

@BHBassman just saw your last comment. IMO the DPA clip on mic is your best option for a simple, durable, and portable mic (fits in your case) for live sound where you need some isolation from drums, etc. Not great for recording (I have yet to meet a live sound guy who dislikes them, or a recording engineer who likes them lol...)

 

[eric.damstra]

I'm using The DPA 4099B with a Headway EDB1 into a SWR baby blue. Decent volume and great tone in my opinion. With the Headway clamped to my music stand I can alter the volume and mute while my amp is behind me (tilted). This way you can get maximum volume. Only goes wrong when you turn the bass / microphone towards the amp.
You should really try this for a longer period to get used to working with a mic. Also placement of the microphone is critical. Placed mine direct under the bassbar side of the bridge.

 

[Scruffy_Johnson]

For you pickup AND mic users, this is what you want:

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Extremely versatile. Mix pickup and mic, then send to FOH via DI out (post/Pre EQ). Blend in mic with pick up for stage monitoring. These two mixing options work separately, but simultaneously.

You can also use an outboard 2 channel DI (i.e., radial ProD2) and send the pickup and mic to FOH via EFX Sends (post Preamp EQ - YOUR sound).

AWESOME EQ'ing.

Yummy tubes!

Expensive.

Get the WJ Speakers, too. KILLER Rig!!!

 

[Ric Vice]

Scruffy,
Very nice, especially the dual channel pre amp. I use a Grace Felix. Not as robust, but works very well. The Headway EDB-2 is also a fine pre amp.

Ric

 

[Scruffy_Johnson]

Wireless set up, this works great!

DPA 4099

+ DPA DAD 6010

+ Line 6 Relay G50

 

[drumgewitter]

i am using a dpa and and an acoustic image ten2.. no pickup.. i play mainly in a trio with drummer, most of the time in hotels and bars but also a little bit larger venues never had a problem with loudness or feedback..

 

[GoofusInsanius]

Doesn't the DPA need +48V? How would that work with a Relay G50?

 

[Scruffy_Johnson]

Doesn't the DPA need +48V? How would that work with a Relay G50?

Ah... you are half-correct.

Little known or discussed... This mic (probably many other condensers) ALSO runs on "Bias Voltage".

This has been confirmed by DPA. In fact, I was told that 90% of their consumers are wireless users. Call them. They are VERY helpful.

And, that the microphone performance is the same: Phantom Power vs. Bias Voltage.

The Line 6 TBP12 outputs the required Bias Voltage.

The key is to get the adapter.

 

[Ric Vice]

Doesn't the DPA need +48V? How would that work with a Relay G50?

It can run at 18 volts, but the noise floor rises as the amount of phantom power decreases. So it's a trade off of sorts. If you look on the DPA website there's a little graph of how the 4099 noise floor increases at various voltages. I used mine with a Headway EDB-2.

Ric

 

[GoofusInsanius]

Learned something today, thanks!

 

[Scruffy_Johnson]

It can run at 18 volts, but the noise floor rises as the amount of phantom power decreases. So it's a trade off of sorts. If you look on the DPA website there's a little graph of how the 4099 noise floor increases at various voltages. I used mine with a Headway EDB-2.

Ric

To be clear...

Yes, the DPA 4099 mics can run on less than 48 Volts of Phantom Power.

However, Bias Voltage is a different thing. DPA 4099 Mics require 5 Volts of Bias Voltage. The Line 6 Relay Belt Pack (TBP12), that I use, outputs 5 Volts of Bias Voltage (5 VDC - on Pin 2 of TA4F Connector). You need the Invalid Link Removed.

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Another good thing, concerning Line 6, is the Relay G10 (1 megohm input), it works great with Realist Pickups.

Wireless pick up and mic system.