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Double Bass DB microphone

G

gypsydjango

Jul 9, 2009
460
71
UK
#1
I currently amplefy my bass useing a transducer and a small 'Crown' mic. through a Fishman DB blender. My question is:
Although the small 'Crown' mic works OK (now about 20 years old) Are the mics. made today for the DB far superior to the 'Crown' mic? Would it pay to update the mic. for better sound quality?
 
#2
The new DPA 4099 is getting very good reviews.

Is it far superior to the Crown? Don't know. But in terms of design, I think it is the first miniature supercardioid or "shotgun" that can be used on a DB. And as a broad generalization, most all the DPA mics seem to have a "superior" reputation.

There are some threads in this forum out there already on the DPA 4099 mic if you search a bit. Right now, that's the one I would try.
 
#3
mikejdexter said:
I currently amplefy my bass useing a transducer and a small 'Crown' mic. through a Fishman DB blender. My question is:
Although the small 'Crown' mic works OK (now about 20 years old) Are the mics. made today for the DB far superior to the 'Crown' mic? Would it pay to update the mic. for better sound quality?
Click to expand...

I was the proud owner of a Fishman Bass Blender with that little Crown mic. It was actually my first foray into a mic and pickup combined. That's when I found out how much I preferred the sound of the mic to the pickup, actually. I now have a DPA 4099 and the Headway EDB-1. The DPA 4099 is a whole different spin on instrument mic's, it's a breakthrough technology in some regards. Combined with the Headway, it one of the best systems out there, but it's not cheap. Incidentally, I don't believe the phantom on the Bass Blender will power the DPA 4099, since it operates at 4.5 volts. I've also had pretty good results with the AMT it has it's own power supply and a line out that you could plug directly into the Blender.



Ric
 
#5
Ric Vice said:
I was the proud owner of a Fishman Bass Blender with that little Crown mic. It was actually my first foray into a mic and pickup combined. That's when I found out how much I preferred the sound of the mic to the pickup, actually. I now have a DPA 4099 and the Headway EDB-1. The DPA 4099 is a whole different spin on instrument mic's, it's a breakthrough technology in some regards. Combined with the Headway, it one of the best systems out there, but it's not cheap. Incidentally, I don't believe the phantom on the Bass Blender will power the DPA 4099, since it operates at 4.5 volts. I've also had pretty good results with the AMT it has it's own power supply and a line out that you could plug directly into the Blender.

Ric
Click to expand...
The DPA 4099 seems have everyone's vote as the "answer" when it comes to miking DB in a live situation. How does it rate, in your view Rick (and others) as a recording mike? I realize this is a very subjective topic. The "best" recording mike varies by player, bass, placement, preference etc. But generally how do you think the DPA 4099 rates?
 
#6
all_grown_up said:
The DPA 4099 seems have everyone's vote as the "answer" when it comes to miking DB in a live situation. How does it rate, in your view Rick (and others) as a recording mike? I realize this is a very subjective topic. The "best" recording mike varies by player, bass, placement, preference etc. But generally how do you think the DPA 4099 rates?
Click to expand...

just my opinion, but i dont believe its a great recording mic compared to other mics in the price range. the DPA was designed for a very specific purpose, live sound reinforcement. ive tried it for recording, and didnt like the results very much. maybe it had to do with placement, but as a result of my experiments with recording it, i am now on a search for another mic to record with. the folks at DPA will also tell you the same thing. i cant remember if they told me this about the mic directly on the phone or if its on the website somewhere, but i know i have heard it from them as well.
now i need to figure out what mics are good for double bass recording. of course probably anything over $1k would work, but i dont want to spend that much.
 
#8
Phil Rowan said:
Haven't tried the DPA4099 though I'm sure there'll come a day when my GAS runneth over. I've been using an Audix D4 blended w/ my Realist via an EDB-1 with good results (live). The Heill PR-40's supposed to be good for recording.
Click to expand...

Guys on Talkbass have raved about this mic for years now. With my instrument, it's just way to big even with the H-Clamp.
I could definitely see using it in a studio, but IMHO (and I know that others do use it this way) it's really cumbersome, especially compared to the Audix, AMT or the DPA. I'm way to much of a clutz to use one of those babies.

Ric
 
#9
Ric Vice said:
Guys on Talkbass have raved about this mic for years now. With my instrument, it's just way to big even with the H-Clamp.
I could definitely see using it in a studio, but IMHO (and I know that others do use it this way) it's really cumbersome, especially compared to the Audix, AMT or the DPA. I'm way to much of a clutz to use one of those babies.

Ric
Click to expand...

Rick,

Have you used the DPA in the STudio? What results? See comment above from Shwashwa.
 
#10
Ric, it definitely looks a little too big/cumbersome to use in live situations.. if I were to get the Heill it would just be for use in the studio. The Audix D4 sounds great and is tiny (and a bit more affordable, w/ special thanks to ebay).. I love the "air" I get now blending p/u and mic, and the EDB-1 is just nuts.. totally hooks things up. I posted a few videos where I use this set up through a Wizzy110/Micro300 (w/ my '38 Kay), if anyone wants to hear it.
 
#11
Phil Rowan said:
Ric, it definitely looks a little too big/cumbersome to use in live situations.. if I were to get the Heill it would just be for use in the studio. The Audix D4 sounds great and is tiny (and a bit more affordable, w/ special thanks to ebay).. I love the "air" I get now blending p/u and mic, and the EDB-1 is just nuts.. totally hooks things up. I posted a few videos where I use this set up through a Wizzy110/Micro300 (w/ my '38 Kay), if anyone wants to hear it.
Click to expand...

Phil,
Believe it or not there have been quite a few posts on Talk Bass showing players with the Heil mounted with the H Clamp playing at gigs. I think you have a great setup with the Audix and ultimately it may sound better with your rig than any of the other mic's we tout around these parts. I had an Audix several years ago that looks very similar to the DPA 4099, but it didn't work on my bass with my setup and amps. But, if it works for you I'd stick with it.

Ric
 

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