Double Bass DPA 4099 vs AMT SP25B

[Basschair]

Okay, since this thread is obviously not long enough, I must ad my $.02. I just placed my order for a 4099B with the flat adapter (no hpf). I also ordered the hpf adapter and the guitar mount so that I can try it out on my acoustic.

Unfortunately I don't have an sp25b to compare the sound to, otherwise I could actually contribute to the OP . At any rate, I'll be running it directly into an AI Coda III and sending a direct signal to the house board (for the church gig). It'll take some time and experimentation to see if blending the 4099 with my Schertler Stat B will work out, or with the Realist, or with neither.


EDIT: August 7th, 1:35 am West Coast USA time. I received my shipment this morning and didn't get any free time until now. I figured I could wait until the morning, but I couldn't: I put the bass mount on the strings, laid down to read, jumped back up and mounted the mic, laid back down to read, jumped back up to figure a short-term solution to securing the xlr clip-on so that I didn't have to unwrap the really thin microdot-ended cable...I clipped it to a leg of the bass mount. Again, this is just to get me up and running. Laid back down, jumped back up to run an extension chord from my room to a stabilized, grounded outlet in the hallway for my AI Coda R, just in case. Now I lay here debating whether or not I can get away with making some sounds. So far I haven't wakened the 3 month old, the 29 month old, or the wife. Maybe a few plucks just to make sure it works...

 

[jonas]

I’ve recently A-B'ed both adaptors, the flat one (DAD6001) and the original DAD4099 with roll-off. The DAD4099 is much easier to use, IMO. When mounting the microphone to the tailpiece (or afterlength), you always get some unwanted noise from there, mostly deep boomy sound that I really don't need to amplify. With the DAD4099, this noise is reduced to a minimum. To emphasize the lower bass frequencies, I'd rather blend in a piezo pickup than using the DAD6001 – at least on stage.

 

[Ric Vice]

I’ve recently A-B'ed both adaptors, the flat one (DAD6001) and the original DAD4099 with roll-off. The DAD4099 is much easier to use, IMO. When mounting the microphone to the tailpiece (or afterlength), you always get some unwanted noise from there, mostly deep boomy sound that I really don't need to amplify. With the DAD4099, this noise is reduced to a minimum. To emphasize the lower bass frequencies, I'd rather blend in a piezo pickup than using the DAD6001 – at least on stage.

That's an interesting way to go about it Jonas. I haven't had all that much problem with low end feedback and the DPA 6001, I can set the Headway EDB-1 with most of the EQ flat, using the mic alone. Unfortunately, when I roll in the Realist the bass just gets way out of hand immediately. So in my case it's a boomy Realist instead of a boomy mic. Rolling of the low end will clear that up but I think that a new PU would match better with the DPA-4099's exquisite timbre. Just My Opinion though.

Ric

Addendum, there is one thing I ought to mention. With every mic I've ever owned, Crown GLM, ATM, AMT, and now DPA 4099 I've preferred the sound of the mic over the different
pickups I've blended it Underwood, Fishman BP-100, and now Realist. So, I'm always turning the pickup down as much as possible and the mic up as much as possible to get at that sound. That's reversed from the way you're supposed to blend a mic and pickup. So now I'm on a search for the new pickup that will match the timbre of the mic

 

[bribass]

I’ve recently A-B'ed both adaptors, the flat one (DAD6001) and the original DAD4099 with roll-off. The DAD4099 is much easier to use, IMO. When mounting the microphone to the tailpiece (or afterlength), you always get some unwanted noise from there, mostly deep boomy sound that I really don't need to amplify. With the DAD4099, this noise is reduced to a minimum. To emphasize the lower bass frequencies, I'd rather blend in a piezo pickup than using the DAD6001 – at least on stage.

Jonas, thanks for that comparison, but I think I'm about to pull the trigger on a DPA and now I'm confused about which adapter to get with it.

Any other opinions about which adapter to get?

The flat DAD6001 or the original DAD4099 with roll-off?

Also, anyone using a pre amp/blender other than the Headway?

THANKS, Bri

 

[anonymous02282011]

Brian

I had the flat 6001 and it worked great for me, but my bass isn't particularly boomy.

My thinking at the time was that I could dial out the low end with an external HPF if needed, but if I got the roll off adapter I couldn't really add low end back in.

 

[Ric Vice]

Brian

I had the flat 6001 and it worked great for me, but my bass isn't particularly boomy.

My thinking at the time was that I could dial out the low end with an external HPF if needed, but if I got the roll off adapter I couldn't really add low end back in.

+1 I got the flat adaptor because Mike Morgan reccommended it since the other one rolls off at 80 HZ. That's a pretty significant Lo Cut if you're running the mic out to the house without a pickup. Personally, I try to avoid sending my pickup, the Realist, out to the house, not a nice sound.

Ric

 

[bribass]

Brian

I had the flat 6001 and it worked great for me, but my bass isn't particularly boomy.

My thinking at the time was that I could dial out the low end with an external HPF if needed, but if I got the roll off adapter I couldn't really add low end back in.

Thanks, that was my thinking as well.

 

[bolo]

... I'm about to pull the trigger on a DPA and now I'm confused about which adapter to get with it.

Any other opinions about which adapter to get?

The flat DAD6001 or the original DAD4099 with roll-off?

Brian

I had the flat 6001 and it worked great for me, but my bass isn't particularly boomy.

My thinking at the time was that I could dial out the low end with an external HPF if needed, but if I got the roll off adapter I couldn't really add low end back in.

Brian, FWIW, same reasoning and same choice here. Especially with the adjustable HPFs on the Focus.

 

[bolo]

I like the Beyer M88 a bit better soundwise.

Progress report, for those interested, and FWIW.

Soloed, I like the DPA a lot. Very realistic sound. And for those rare gigs for me when there actually is a PA, it's real nice. Just about perfect for that. Plug a mic cable into the jack on the tailpiece or bow quiver, and away you go. DPA stays mounted on the bass, and out of the way. Also real nice.

But ... into my amp, blended with my pickup, which is by far how I use a mic the most, I prefer the Beyer M88 too. Definitely. Just takes the edge off the p/u and blends better w/ my bass somehow. Warmer, fuller, more 3-D sound. Might be a phase cancellation thing.

So I'm keeping them both.

Just my two cents, YMMV, etc. And I am just a part-time pro as outlined in my profile, blah, blah, blah. I don't think you can go wrong with either the DPA or the Beyer. Plus they are both applicable outside of just DB, unlike the AMT.

 

[Ric Vice]

Soloed, I like the DPA a lot. Very realistic sound. And for those rare gigs for me when there actually is a PA, it's real nice. Just about perfect for that. Plug a mic cable into the jack on the tailpiece or bow quiver, and away you go. DPA stays mounted on the bass, and out of the way. Also real nice.

I hear you brother, it's an incredible Mic for sending to the mains.

But ... into my amp, blended with my pickup, which is by far how I use a mic the most, I prefer the Beyer M88 too. Definitely. Just takes the edge off the p/u and blends better w/ my bass somehow. Warmer, fuller, more 3-D sound. Might be a phase cancellation thing. So I'm keeping them both.

As they say if it ain't broke don't fixit. I'm having pretty good luck running it into the Headway and either of the Walter Woods amps I own. But I will probably feedback quicker then the Beyer will.

Just my two cents, YMMV, etc. And I am just a part-time pro as outlined in my profile, blah, blah, blah. I don't think you can go wrong with either the DPA or the Beyer. Plus they are both applicable outside of just DB, unlike the AMT.

Interesting. I wouldn't have thought of that, but they are.

 

[wineaux]

My DPA 4099B and Headway preamp just arrived. Doing a test run tonight through my AI. I did a test run at IBMA and was impressed enough to fork over the money to add the rig. Hope I can replicate the sound I have in my head from that day in Nashville! Stay tuned.

 

[Ric Vice]

My DPA 4099B and Headway preamp just arrived. Doing a test run tonight through my AI. I did a test run at IBMA and was impressed enough to fork over the money to add the rig. Hope I can replicate the sound I have in my head from that day in Nashville! Stay tuned.

Dave,
When you put that mic into an amp there is very little difference between the way it sounds and what your bass sounds like acoustically.


Ric

 

[wineaux]

That's what I discovered at the show booth and what I hope to replicate tonight!

 

[timobee4]

I love my DPA 4099B sounds like I am playing on a giant bass, talking about natural sound DPA can not be compared with a pickup! I heard cheap nasty DB sounding great with a pickup but would still sound cheap and nasty with a DPA, if your bass is good, the set up is great and your strings talk under your fingers or bow, than the pickup will take some of the beauty away whatever pick up you use in my opinion), with the DPA 4099B what you put in is what you get, but bigger I also think that blending it with a pickup that would give you and even sound like FC is nice too. I love small intimate gigs with no amps though.
Never tried the AMT SP25B but 3 of my friends using it very happily.

 

[timobee4]

Also would love to mention that nobody came up with a solution to arrange that thin and flimsy off putting cable that the DPA comes with between the mic and the pre-amp! I really dont think that when they design it they asked any double bass players! If you plug that XLR pre-amp into your amp in my case AI, all it takes is the sax player moves back to steps stepping on the cable tripping on it, surely destroying the fragile construction! If it was to be clipped onto my belt than why would you have such a long lead? If it was only used in a studio in a controlled environment it's fine, but at a jazz gig mostly dark places it is a disaster waiting to happen!! Lot of money, great sound but I wish that I can just shorten the cable, it would be nice if the cable was like the Realist pickup!! The Jack in this case the XLR pre-amp secured firmly to the tail piece and no hassle!! For 25 dollars I can purchase a lead with XLR male on one end and XLR female on the other end, anyone kicks it no damage done! So its not all that perfect! One of these days I will figure it out or just butcher it and by doing that I can say good bye to the warranty!

 

[Roger Davis]

One quick and easy solution, although a bit crude, is to fix the XLR adaptor to the tailpiece and put the surplus length of thin cable through the f-hole into the body of the bass. Doesn't affect the sound and doesn't rattle. That way you can have the mic permanently attached to the bass.

 

[timobee4]

You see! That is probably the best idea! Just goes to show how silly it is to have so much super thin no good for anything cable between the two super sweet components the mic and the pre amp, I mean it is absolutely genius idea to mount using the strings and so on but the cable??!!?? Upsetting! Unfortunately as much as I love the idea of dumping the extra cable in the f-hole I am looking for a way that is just a little more ecstatically pleasing but I will keep it in mind and surely will use it at some point! Thank you!!

One quick and easy solution, although a bit crude, is to fix the XLR adaptor to the tailpiece and put the surplus length of thin cable through the f-hole into the body of the bass. Doesn't affect the sound and doesn't rattle. That way you can have the mic permanently attached to the bass.

 

[shwashwa]

just attach the xlr jack to your tailpiece. use a regular mic cable from there to get it into any preamp. coil the excess thin cable into a little circle and tie it up with a twist tie from a loaf of bread and just suspend it there behind the strings in the tailpiece. you can even use the twist tie to tie it to the strings

 

[Steve Freides]

Could someone talk about what you'd need to get if you wanted a multi-instrument DPA 4099? E.g., if I wanted one mic to be able to use on my son's trumpet and my upright bass? Obviously not at the same time.

Just wondering if a single mic plus multiple adapters does the job or if you'd need a different version of the mic. For me, if I bought one, it would be great if I could use it for trumpet, acoustic guitar, and upright bass on an as-needed basis.

Thanks in advance.

-S-

 

[Roger Davis]

You see! That is probably the best idea! Just goes to show how silly it is to have so much super thin no good for anything cable between the two super sweet components the mic and the pre amp, I mean it is absolutely genius idea to mount using the strings and so on but the cable??!!?? Upsetting! Unfortunately as much as I love the idea of dumping the extra cable in the f-hole I am looking for a way that is just a little more ecstatically pleasing but I will keep it in mind and surely will use it at some point! Thank you!!

Tim

Ecstatic pleasure went out of my life many years ago. So for now pragmatism takes over! A shorter cable would be great, especially as DPA now do a bass version. Could you see a Full Circle with 1+metres of cable?