I'm about to order a DPA 4099... just wanted to bump this thread to see if anyone is still enjoying that mic. I'd be blending it with a Realist into an AI Ten2. Sound good?
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Double Bass DPA 4099 vs AMT SP25B
- Thread starter Ric Vice
- Start date
I just talked to sweetwater. I told them that it was my understanding that the 4099B mic w/ the db mount came with the DAD 4099 XLR (low cut) standard, but that the DAD 6001 BC XLR (flat) was available as another option, at no extra charge.
However, the guy I talked to at sweetwater then pulled up an email he had received from someone at DPA dated March of this year. The email he read to me (from DPA) indicated that the DAD 6001 BC (flat) was now the default XLR for the 4099B.
I know that the sweetwater web site says the 4099B with the mic mount for double bass comes with the DAD 4009 XLR (low cut), and not the flat version. Which contradicts what the guy told me on the phone.
My guess is the 4099B comes w/ the flat XLR now, and the other mounts such as violin, guitar, sax, come with the low cut.
Anyway, not trying to confuse anyone. Just passing along something I learned today. If you want to order one, know which XLR you want (low cut or flat), and specify it explicitly I guess.
He said they are selling lots of these.
However, the guy I talked to at sweetwater then pulled up an email he had received from someone at DPA dated March of this year. The email he read to me (from DPA) indicated that the DAD 6001 BC (flat) was now the default XLR for the 4099B.
I know that the sweetwater web site says the 4099B with the mic mount for double bass comes with the DAD 4009 XLR (low cut), and not the flat version. Which contradicts what the guy told me on the phone.
My guess is the 4099B comes w/ the flat XLR now, and the other mounts such as violin, guitar, sax, come with the low cut.
Anyway, not trying to confuse anyone. Just passing along something I learned today. If you want to order one, know which XLR you want (low cut or flat), and specify it explicitly I guess.
He said they are selling lots of these.
When many of us dealt directly with DPA earlier last year we were essentially buying either the guitar version or the violin version based on which of those two mounts we decided to futz with. So, If you purchased the violin version you got the lo cut XLR. I think the guys who bought the guitar version early on also got the lo cut. DPA rep Mike Morgan had corresponded with Larry here on Talkbass and that's why I was able to purchase the 6001 BC with my violin mount 4099.
I'd call DPA direct and ask them
Makes sense but to the buyer beware, if you know what I mean.
Ric
I ordered mine from sweetwater without specifying and it came with the Flat response XLR connector. It would be nice to A/B them though.
I ordered the bass mount. It was considered a special order when I got it last week but I made no special request for the flat.
I was on the fence about which connector to get and thought that I would go with the low cut but the flat came and it seems good. I don't gig until tomorrow to try it live.
I was on the fence about which connector to get and thought that I would go with the low cut but the flat came and it seems good. I don't gig until tomorrow to try it live.
Just wanted to report my use of 4099B.
Played two gigs this week with 4099B. I didn't use pickup, just the mic itself.
It sounded really really good. I was able to hear all the details, no boomy sound. Compared to AMT i used, 4099B is definitely superior.
Here was my signal chain:
La Scala Hybrid -> 4099B -> Headway Preamp -> Markbass Tube -> Schroeder Mini 12+
Played two gigs this week with 4099B. I didn't use pickup, just the mic itself.
It sounded really really good. I was able to hear all the details, no boomy sound. Compared to AMT i used, 4099B is definitely superior.
Here was my signal chain:
La Scala Hybrid -> 4099B -> Headway Preamp -> Markbass Tube -> Schroeder Mini 12+
hi,
why do you use the headway before the markbass?
has anyone used the dpa straight into a bass amplifier? in this case, wich model and with what results?
The Headway EDB-1 provides the phantom power and has two inputs to combine a pickup with the DPA 4099. IMHO the EDB-1 has a better pre amp for bass than the Little Mark. just my opinion though. Although you could use the 4099 without a blended pickup, IMHO you would want that option and the Little Mark tube is a single channel amp. The Mark Acoustic AH 250 would provide the phantom and has two channels, but it's still missing a lo cut filter and variable input impedance. The Headway has both, but only a single channel EQ so I guess it's a trade off.
Ric
Hi guys,
I read through the whole thread yesterday - took a LONG time, but was very interesting, and thank you all so much for sharing your experiences. I've been reading the forum for a while now - think I first looked a few years ago to get opinions on strings (I'm using Stark Spirocores on E and A and Belcantos on D and G) - and so I've just joined and this is my first post.
I was wondering what your opinions are of the DPA 4099 having had it for a while? The key question for me is:
Does it give a worthwhile amount of gain before feeback when used through backline?
I use the Realist, which is OK but I want more detail, and I think a mic would really help but I do worry about feedback. I've tried using a dynamic rubberbanded beneath the bridge but can hardly get any level through backline.
I am awaiting delivery of my new amp: EA doubler, Wizzy 10 and Wizzy 12 M Line, so I will have a mic channel available with no fuss. I play mainly in an English folk band against Fiddle, Melodeon and Drumkit, so I need a reasonable amount of backline level, although our EV PA is good enough for me to put bass through.
I'm also looking at the APT-FlexElectret pickup, as it looks easy to install and people say it has loads of high frequencies. Would it work well in conjunction with the Realist?
Any advice greatly appreciated
Rick
I read through the whole thread yesterday - took a LONG time, but was very interesting, and thank you all so much for sharing your experiences. I've been reading the forum for a while now - think I first looked a few years ago to get opinions on strings (I'm using Stark Spirocores on E and A and Belcantos on D and G) - and so I've just joined and this is my first post.
I was wondering what your opinions are of the DPA 4099 having had it for a while? The key question for me is:
Does it give a worthwhile amount of gain before feeback when used through backline?
I use the Realist, which is OK but I want more detail, and I think a mic would really help but I do worry about feedback. I've tried using a dynamic rubberbanded beneath the bridge but can hardly get any level through backline.
I am awaiting delivery of my new amp: EA doubler, Wizzy 10 and Wizzy 12 M Line, so I will have a mic channel available with no fuss. I play mainly in an English folk band against Fiddle, Melodeon and Drumkit, so I need a reasonable amount of backline level, although our EV PA is good enough for me to put bass through.
I'm also looking at the APT-FlexElectret pickup, as it looks easy to install and people say it has loads of high frequencies. Would it work well in conjunction with the Realist?
Any advice greatly appreciated
Rick
Because of High pass filter and more useable EQ.
I tried 4099b without headway since my markbass has phantom power capability, and it worked fine.
But for me, Headway offered more options to deal with feedback and sound.
I tried 4099b without headway since my markbass has phantom power capability, and it worked fine.
But for me, Headway offered more options to deal with feedback and sound.
Hi Rick. Welcome to TB.
I'll take a stab at your question. I have only been using the DPA 4099 for less than a week. But I've been blending a mic and pickup thru my amp (backline) for years.
I can echo what several others here have posted. The 4099 gives me more gain before feedback than any other mic I have tried. That includes the K&K Golden Bullet, the AMT S25B, and a Beyer M88 TG.
When I say "feedback" here, I mean the high-pitched squealing mic kind. I presume that's the kind of feedback you meant.
Just like w/ any mic, you still will get feedback if you try and turn it up too loud. How you orient yourself (and the bass and mic) relative to your backline speaker / amp is key. And getting as much acoustic volume out of the bass as you can of course.
I have, for about a week. Just got the DPA. I am using an AI Focus 2R (Series III) amp.
I have been using a Beyer M88 TG on an H-clamp for several years, also into the Focus. I still need to A/ B the two mics a bit more. But so far I'd label the results with the DPA as "excellent."
Hi guys,
I read through the whole thread yesterday - took a LONG time, but was very interesting, and thank you all so much for sharing your experiences. I've been reading the forum for a while now - think I first looked a few years ago to get opinions on strings (I'm using Stark Spirocores on E and A and Belcantos on D and G) - and so I've just joined and this is my first post.
I was wondering what your opinions are of the DPA 4099 having had it for a while? The key question for me is:
Does it give a worthwhile amount of gain before feeback when used through backline?
I use the Realist, which is OK but I want more detail, and I think a mic would really help but I do worry about feedback. I've tried using a dynamic rubberbanded beneath the bridge but can hardly get any level through backline.
I am awaiting delivery of my new amp: EA doubler, Wizzy 10 and Wizzy 12 M Line, so I will have a mic channel available with no fuss. I play mainly in an English folk band against Fiddle, Melodeon and Drumkit, so I need a reasonable amount of backline level, although our EV PA is good enough for me to put bass through.
I'm also looking at the APT-FlexElectret pickup, as it looks easy to install and people say it has loads of high frequencies. Would it work well in conjunction with the Realist?
Any advice greatly appreciated
Rick
Rick
You'll do very well running a DPA through the PA and using a simple backline set-up as a monitor/ fill-in. EA doubler/Wizzy 10 should be all you need.
Welcome to our whacky gathering of bass-o-matics
I was wondering what your opinions are of the DPA 4099 having had it for a while? The key question for me isoes it give a worthwhile amount of gain before feeback when used through backline?
I can only tell you my experiences with the 4099. I've not used it directly into a P.A. but so far using my Walter Woods as a power amp with the mic and the Realist connected through the Headway EDB-1. I haven't had any feed back problems at all yet. Since I use an EA VL 108 or the EA VL 208 they aren't particularly feed back prone, but volume just has not been a issue.
What I've experienced so far is that the 4099 has very good off axis rejection, so the Realist seems to feedback way before the mic does.
Congratulations, you've purchased one of the best new bass heads and cabinets that are on the market, especially the Doubler/ Wizzy 12 M line combo.
Not sure on this one. The APT-Flex is designed to mount in the same spot your Realist now occupies. IMHO the mic/pickup combination yields the best options. The APT-Flex uses a different material than the Realist. Now the APT-Flex DPA-40099 might be a real winner, but that's going to cost more.
Any advice greatly appreciated
Rick[/QUOTE]
Ric
- Dec 9, 2003
- 369
- 45
- Disclosures
- Kontrabass-Atelier, Lando Music (Germany), "The Double Bass Book"/"Das Kontrabass-Buch"
Not sure on this one. The APT-Flex is designed to mount in the same spot your Realist now occupies. IMHO the mic/pickup combination yields the best options. The APT-Flex uses a different material than the Realist. Now the APT-Flex DPA-40099 might be a real winner, but that's going to cost more.
Any advice greatly appreciated
Rick
it's possible to mount both the APTflex and the Realist to one bass. However, I only do this for comparison, not for using both on stage. I've put the APTflex(which is only 0,5 mm thick) underneath the Realist. You can see it on Invalid Link Removed.
Jonas
Jonas,
This is very interesting, but as you say it's only for comparison. I was thinking that it might be possible to mount one of the units (Realist or APT Flex)under the G foot of the bridge, but wouldn't that put it to far away from the bass bar and thus give you a less than ideal sound? It could also really compromise the bridge with two elements sitting between the bridge feet and the top of the bass. Additionally, you would have two pickup elements of different thicknesses on opposing sides of the bridge. Not a lot of difference mind you, but not the same either.
Ric
Thanks Steve, Roger and Ric for the warm welcome!
Yes, Steve by feedback I do mean the high-pitched squeal, I had originally been considering the Golden Bullet as a cheaper alternative to the AMT mic, until I found the DPA on the forum. It's good to know that after all your time using other mics, the 4099 is noticeably better in the feedback department.
Yes Roger I guess the DPA will be fantastic to use for FOH, I could just put it through there and not the EA backline at all, but it does seem a bit of a shame to use such a good mic if I don't get to hear my bass with it
I'm really looking forward to the EA arriving I have to say that it was thanks to reading the forum comments about the Doubler and listening to soundclips of the EA Doubler and Wizzy from Chris Frizington and other helpful guys, that I was able to make this good decision. I might have bought an AI head if there were any UK distributors, as they look very good also.
Jonas, thanks for that photo - is that a Full Circle on there as well?
Ric I was thinking the same as you, trying one pickup under the G foot. When I first got my Realist, I did experiment with it under the G foot and it didn't sound drastically different to under the E foot... if anything less weight to the sound - but it still was essentially the same dark rich Realist sound. I would be wanting the APT flex to give more detail, so the lack of bass wouldn't worry me. What does worry me is affecting the acoustic output of the bass - then both pickups and the mic would have less to pick up!
Rick
Yes, Steve by feedback I do mean the high-pitched squeal, I had originally been considering the Golden Bullet as a cheaper alternative to the AMT mic, until I found the DPA on the forum. It's good to know that after all your time using other mics, the 4099 is noticeably better in the feedback department.
Yes Roger I guess the DPA will be fantastic to use for FOH, I could just put it through there and not the EA backline at all, but it does seem a bit of a shame to use such a good mic if I don't get to hear my bass with it
I'm really looking forward to the EA arriving
I have to say that it was thanks to reading the forum comments about the Doubler and listening to soundclips of the EA Doubler and Wizzy from Chris Frizington and other helpful guys, that I was able to make this good decision. I might have bought an AI head if there were any UK distributors, as they look very good also.Jonas, thanks for that photo - is that a Full Circle on there as well?
Ric I was thinking the same as you, trying one pickup under the G foot. When I first got my Realist, I did experiment with it under the G foot and it didn't sound drastically different to under the E foot... if anything less weight to the sound - but it still was essentially the same dark rich Realist sound. I would be wanting the APT flex to give more detail, so the lack of bass wouldn't worry me. What does worry me is affecting the acoustic output of the bass - then both pickups and the mic would have less to pick up!
Rick
Rick,
I've used a Realist for about 10 years now, so I'm on my second one, as the first one just gave out after about 5 years. IMHO using two flexible film pickups isn't the way for me to go. That's not to say it won't work for you though. Using an AMT mic previously and the DPA 4099 currently has made me much more interested in getting a sound from a mic and some other kind of pickup, perhaps a Schertler Dyn-B.
The Realist is a nice sounding pickup as long as you don't have to go above medium volume ranges, after that it starts to honk.
Ric
