Double Bass DPA 4099 vs AMT SP25B

[Vunz]

Hey Bill. Amen.

As you may know, the grace m501 meets these requirements. Itchin' to try one. $545 US.

The m501 is a "lunchbox" style preamp, which means it has to be built in a "500 series" style case, which also supplies the power for the preamp. A stand alone version of the m501 is the m101, which I owned. This is a marvelous preamp, but if you need eq or a notch filter, you are out of luck.

Cheers,
Vincent

 

[Roger Davis]

When I finish this reply I'm going to order a qsc k10 powered speaker to amplify my DPA 4099. A sort of mini PA/FOH if you will. I'll still use an Underwood pickup as a backline/bass boost to go through a Clarus to a 10" Wizzy. Thing about the Clarus is that Channel 2 can be isolated from the main amp and used as a pure preamp feed into the qsc. It will have a 48v phantom power for the mic and has a variable HPF. Might just be the combination I'm looking for. I'll a/b it with a Headway into the qsc. I'll keep you posted.

 

[bolo]

When I finish this reply I'm going to order a qsc k10 powered speaker to amplify my DPA 4099. A sort of mini PA/FOH if you will. I'll still use an Underwood pickup as a backline/bass boost to go through a Clarus to a 10" Wizzy. Thing about the Clarus is that Channel 2 can be isolated from the main amp and used as a pure preamp feed into the qsc. It will have a 48v phantom power for the mic and has a variable HPF. Might just be the combination I'm looking for. I'll a/b it with a Headway into the qsc. I'll keep you posted.

Hey Roger. I had thought about doing the same thing, using my AI Focus as a mic preamp, into a qsc powered speaker. So yes please keep us posted!

Small point perhaps, but it looks like the latest of generation AI heads do have 48V phantom. But the spec sheet for my Focus 2R Series III says 38V.

 

[bolo]

The m501 is a "lunchbox" style preamp, which means it has to be built in a "500 series" style case, which also supplies the power for the preamp. A stand alone version of the m501 is the m101, which I owned. This is a marvelous preamp, but if you need eq or a notch filter, you are out of luck.

Thanks Vunz. And thanks for trading PMs and emails with me offline.

You're right. I really was thinking of the Invalid Link Removed.

 

[Bass Catcher]

When I finish this reply I'm going to order a qsc k10 powered speaker to amplify my DPA 4099. A sort of mini PA/FOH if you will. I'll still use an Underwood pickup as a backline/bass boost to go through a Clarus to a 10" Wizzy. Thing about the Clarus is that Channel 2 can be isolated from the main amp and used as a pure preamp feed into the qsc. It will have a 48v phantom power for the mic and has a variable HPF. Might just be the combination I'm looking for. I'll a/b it with a Headway into the qsc. I'll keep you posted.

I tried my DPA through a Headway and qsc10. I liked the sound, except because it only supplied 15v or whatever, I had to crank the volume to the max. I have a feeling that on the gig, I'd be doing that a lot. I'm fine with mixing with my full circle, but would rather not have to if I don't need to.

I like the idea of using the Clarus as a pre-amp, like you were saying above. I'm not too knowledgeable on how powered speakers work. Could I mix both the mic and full circle through the qsc? Would I just plug the Clarus into the qsc like it's a regular cab? Or would I have to plug in a different way.

Has anyone tried the qsc k12?

Matt

 

[jrlynch]

i think the bottom line is that the dpa is a pretty low level mic and requires quite a bit of preamplification, which is not a bad thing, it's just the way it is. as someone who bought a "proper" 48volt power supply to power the mic before hitting the headway, i can say that, if anything, the pure 48volts is dropping the noise floor, not increasing gain. so, if you're buying a fancy pre in the hope of increasing the gain of the mic, it's not gonna happen. that said, imho, the headway works just fine on its own, as long as you don't obsess about the gain being cranked. in the mic pre dept, i still long for a summit, but i just can't justify the money ...

jeff.

 

[Bill Amatneek]

At the bottom of this page,

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

click on "Changes in specifications for 4099 (low sens) if you supply less than 48V Phantom power"
to see what happens as the voltage drops below 48 v:

BA

 

[Vunz]

i think the bottom line is that the dpa is a pretty low level mic and requires quite a bit of preamplification, which is not a bad thing, it's just the way it is. as someone who bought a "proper" 48volt power supply to power the mic before hitting the headway, i can say that, if anything, the pure 48volts is dropping the noise floor, not increasing gain. so, if you're buying a fancy pre in the hope of increasing the gain of the mic, it's not gonna happen. that said, imho, the headway works just fine on its own, as long as you don't obsess about the gain being cranked. in the mic pre dept, i still long for a summit, but i just can't justify the money ...

jeff.

That was my experience as well. In order to use my fav preamp (AER Pockettools, which only supplies 24v) with the DPA, I use the DPA MPS6001 to deliver 48v [Edit: I mean the required phantom power, since the mic itself only needs a few volts; it is the XLR adapter that needs 48v] to the mic.

Cheers,
Vincent

 

[Roger Davis]

Small point perhaps, but it looks like the latest of generation AI heads do have 48V phantom. But the spec sheet for my Focus 2R Series III says 38V.

Steve, mine's 48v. And I'l keep you posted re powered speaker as soon as it arrives.

 

[bolo]

I like the idea of using the Clarus as a pre-amp, like you were saying above.

Matt, yeah thanks for trading PMs with me too. I know I wasn't the first one to dream this up.

I'm not too knowledgeable on how powered speakers work. Could I mix both the mic and full circle through the qsc? Would I just plug the Clarus into the qsc like it's a regular cab? Or would I have to plug in a different way.

Has anyone tried the qsc k12?

Curious about these questions too. I think jrlynch said (in a PM ) that the concensus on the qsc 10 v the 12 was that the 10 sounded "better," but I'll let him elaborate if he likes.

I would also guess the qsc's might be available in retail outlets like Guitar Center, making it a little easier to demo, and to return for a refund perhaps if it doesn't work on the gig, depending on where you live.

Thanks everyone for sharing.

 

[Roger Davis]

I've ordered a k10 on the basis that:-

the k12 is significantly heavier
I'm prepared to get some 'bottom' from the backline and I'm primarily looking for mid/top (the qsc speakers also have a tweeter). If I can rely on the k10 for bottom, even better.
Most posters who use a qsc have gone for the k10 - one even expressed himself happy with the k8.

Not very scientific, I know, but I can't get one on demo and I'm taking a flyer. Hopefully I'll add to the TB sum of knowledge/opinion when I get mine.

 

[Bill Amatneek]

I have a GK MB150S/112 (w/ quarter-inch input). Exactly what gear/connectors/cables will I need to make the connection from the DPA 4099B to the GK? (I guess I'm not clear on what the "MicroDot" connector is.)
And, can anyone take a stab at whether this will be a successful rig or not?
MTIA.
Best regards,
Bill Amatneek

 

[shwashwa]

the headway would do it, or any other mic preamp that has an xlr inuput and a quarter inch output

I have a GK MB150S/112 (w/ quarter-inch input). Exactly what gear/connectors/cables will I need to make the connection from the DPA 4099B to the GK? (I guess I'm not clear on what the "MicroDot" connector is.)
And, can anyone take a stab at whether this will be a successful rig or not?
MTIA.
Best regards,
Bill Amatneek

 

[jrlynch]

the microdot connection is irrelevant, unless you're plugging the mic into a wireless. headway pre is a good box and does work well in a variety of situations. probably the number one thing i've learned about the dpa: you need to keep the pickup pattern of the mic in mind when you place your amp/speaker. the dpa has razor sharp sensitivity on axis and is dramatically less sensitive off-axis (it is a minature shotgun mic, afterall). Placing a speaker directly behind your instrument can create feedback problems. best results are getting things up and over the mic, which means use of a speaker stand to get things to ear level. sound hits you and shoots over the mic. works like a charm.

or just use a pickup to feed your amp and send the mic to the PA (not the monitors).

jeff.

I have a GK MB150S/112 (w/ quarter-inch input). Exactly what gear/connectors/cables will I need to make the connection from the DPA 4099B to the GK? (I guess I'm not clear on what the "MicroDot" connector is.)
And, can anyone take a stab at whether this will be a successful rig or not?
MTIA.
Best regards,
Bill Amatneek

 

[Bill Amatneek]

So, why do I need the functions of a headway ($320), which seem in large part to double the functions of my amp? Why wouldn't the Nady pre ($20), for instance, do the job?
Best,
BA

 

[Ric Vice]

So, why do I need the functions of a headway ($320), which seem in large part to double the functions of my amp? Why wouldn't the Nady pre ($20), for instance, do the job?
Best,
BA

Bill,
The GK MBS is a very nice bass amp. The Headway does indeed have a EQ section that duplicates the functions of your amp. It also has a suite of other controls that help deal with feedback that aren't on the MBS. It has a switch that functions as a low pass filter to help with boom, a notch filter to help with feedback, and another switch that changes the input impedance load. The EQ section on the Headway is a 5 band vs the GK 3 band. Of course, all you really need to drive the DPA is phantom power.

Ric

 

[jrlynch]

more to the point, the gk has no mic preamp, no phantom power, no capability to blend a pickup with the mic if you choose to, no hpf. nice amp, tho.

you could score an art mic pre to get you started, though.

there's no question that the dpa is not a cheap date, but when you look at the price points of the microphones in their line (really expensive) and look at what they've created (a true miniature shotgun microphone that sounds remarkable), it's really fairly priced. compared to the typical piezo pickup, which is extremely primitive technology and pretty cheap to make, the dpa is a steal.

jeff.

 

[b1644]

Any recommendations for a preamp that would deliver the full 48 volts the DPA 4099B asks for, AND has a high pass filter built in, AND was small and light?

I think I've found a cheap and effective solution for blending a DPA with a pickup... a Mackie 402 VLZ3 4 channel mixer ($100 at Amazon)... it has full 48v phantom power and a 80Hz rolloff switch so the DPA works great with it. And it even works well with my high-output Turner piezo pickup.

I've fed the blended sound into my AI Coda and the results sounded really good in headphones.

I'm trying it at a gig on Thursday.


- Martin

 

[bribass]

I think I've found a cheap and effective solution for blending a DPA with a pickup... a Mackie 402 VLZ3 4 channel mixer ($100 at Amazon)... it has full 48v phantom power and a 80Hz rolloff switch so the DPA works great with it. And it even works well with my high-output Turner piezo pickup.

I've fed the blended sound into my AI Coda and the results sounded really good in headphones.

I'm trying it at a gig on Thursday.


- Martin

That looks like a promising little box, although it doesn't appear to have an XLR out. If it did it would have it all.

BG

 

[Uncletoad]

That looks like a promising little box, although it doesn't appear to have an XLR out. If it did it would have it all.

BG

The outputs are TRS balanced and there are two of them. If you run it "mono" without the stereo spread between the two input chanells it's essentially got two mono summed TRS balanced outs, one could go to the amp at line level the other to a mixing board with a TRS to XLR adaptoid thing.

It might drive the front end of the amp to hard though. Lots of extra gain staging here.