• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass DPA 4099 vs AMT SP25B

#41
larry said:
You also have to decide between a flat mic and a version with a high-pass built in. I accidentally ordered the high-pass, but it still sounded really good.
Click to expand...

What are the two different models named so others buying don't make the same mistake?

What do you think the merits of one over the other would be?

thnx, BG
 
#42
Chris Fitzgerald said:
I was wondering about this. I went through al lot of grief with the AMT cable, and when I saw the little cable that the 4099 connects to, I must admit my first thought was "uh-oh". How does it terminate, and can you conceive of a way to have it mounted on the bass so that you can keep it there in the case? If so can it terminate into some form of XLR cable that you can plug and play with (assuming phantom power)?



What are the specs on the high pass?
Click to expand...

The cable is permanently attached to the mic, it's about 6 feet long and terminates into an XLR plug that can detatch. The HPF is in that plug. You could have both plugs and choose to use the HPF or not.

I'm still working out the best way, but so far I have the mic secured to my bridge with the clamp and one small wire-tie for added security. I carefully drop the cable and XLR into my bow quiver before I put the bass away.

Look at page 11 of the manual here for HPF specs:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#43
bribass said:
What are the two different models named so others buying don't make the same mistake?

What do you think the merits of one over the other would be?

thnx, BG
Click to expand...

Specify either the:
DAD4099 - HPF
DAD6001 - Flat

I thought the HPF would offset the proximity effect. Mike at DPA said most bass players prefer the flat version. I have not made a final decision yet whether to exchange mine.

Best to call Mike and double-check all this with DPA.
 
#44
larry said:
The cable is permanently attached to the mic, it's about 6 feet long and terminates into an XLR plug that can detatch. The HPF is in that plug. You could have both plugs and choose to use the HPF or not.

I'm still working out the best way, but so far I have the mic secured to my bridge with the clamp and one small wire-tie for added security. I carefully drop the cable and XLR into my bow quiver before I put the bass away.
Click to expand...


Very AMT-like indeed. Maybe the cable, as thin as it is, could be folded carefully behind the tailpiece and then the belt clip could be used to secure the XLR onto either the tailpiece or the strings so it could be left on the bass. I hated the AMT (because of cable breakage and fear of same) until I did something like that, then really liked it once I modded it to do this.

Look at page 11 of the manual here for HPF specs:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

Looks to be -3db at 100hz, which sounds about what I like for a mic anyway. I'll have to experiment with the Headway pre when I get my hands on one and see how the mic/pickup mix reacts to their HP filter, but I like the sound of the specs of the one you ordered. Any idea what they charge for the other XLR clip?
 
#48
could somebody please compare it to an ATM 35 if you get a chance? The ATM 35 is certainly not the last word in clarity and definition, but it's been the warmest of all of the mini's that I've tried. Man if the DPA matches the warmth but with a higher feedback threshold, wow.Knowing and using the pricier DPA's I'm sure that this would have an edge in clarity and definition.
 
#50
well i have my 4099 and ill post my opinions. overall, i think its a great mic and sounds awesome and i can get very loud with it with no feedback problems and im sitting 4 feet from my amp. one thing that blew me away with this mic, and im sure its true with all mics actually, is how totally different it can sound based on where on the bass you're micing. on one bass you can go from a really nice sound to a terrible and totally unuseable sound. im stating this for a reason. over all i love it, but i feel that i must comment on what i feel are shortcomings and hopefully someday dpa can take these into account. first, as i mentioned, the position of the mic is of utmost importance. the bass is a very large instrument, and this mic isnt made or markedted towards bass players per se. i really think that it needs a longer gooseneck and a better mounting clip. you just need to do so much experimentation with location in order to get the best sound, and the neck just isnt long enough to explore all your options on a double bass. also, regardless what the manufacturer says, and even though there is a shock mount, you do get handling noise and vibrations being picked up by the mic. to compensate for this a high pass filter is essential. i dont have the xlr clip with the high pass built in, but im using an external one with good results. i can turn it on and off and i can get much more useable volume before feedback with the filter on. also, in order to try to cut down on some of the vibrations being picked up im using the foam as pictured below. it does a decent job, but there still needs to be imrpovement in this area. also in those pics note the location of the mic. on my bass thats the sweet spot. not sure if this will be common on most basses, but i tried it aimed closer to the bridge foot and there was just too much action in the top at that location. the top of the bass actually vibrates at a pitch and the mic picks it up. where the mic is in the pics is toward the bottom of the bass bar. on this bass i can get a really loud and full sound and no feedback problems at all. none of the locations i tried on the treble side worked as well as this location for me.
it might look funny, but i think for the bass the gooseneck needs to be 10-12 inches to get maximum flexibility and variation.
 
#51
I think, this mic has way more placing variations than any other clip-on mic on the market in that size. I have the guitar mount and I found lot of possible positions with it. Of course, I can not say: I can place this mic anywhere on the bass, but I feel I have enough options.
 
#52
The handling noise was an issue if I tried to mount it on the tailpiece. I put mine on the bridge and now it's fine.

I would recommend you try to get it on the fatter part of the bridge. I cut a small piece of light-weight wood to make it thick enough for the clamp. I'm sure every bass is different, but I notice the sound dampen more with something on the afterlength or tailpiece more so than the bridge.

I have mine keeping a pretty low profile now. I don't really notice it visually.
 
#55
interesting what you say about the tailpiece. i was just about to try that myself. i did try the bridge and as many people reading may not know, the clamp only closes a certain amount, so the bridge leg is too small for the clamp. i compensated as in the pic below. i was looking for wood as you use, but found instead this packing foam in my garage. im sure it helps to cut down on vibrations as well. so far this positon gets me to the sweet spot with less torque in the goosneck, so it stays in place easier. im sure i could turn it upside down and go under the fingerboard if i wanted to too. i know some people like to mic that area of the bass. ill try the same foam mounting technique on the tailpiece later today. im not crazy about having something stuck to my bridge.
i have to say though, i was putting it through its paces this morning and my girlfriend came down and asked why im practicing so loud, and i often practice with my pickup on. this thing is getting louder than i usually go.
 
#56
How long is the cable on that thing? The jack it terminates in, is it something that could be attached to the bass in some fashion? Do you go right from the output XLR to the mixing board or is their another outboard preamp to mess with like the AMT?
 
#57
the cable is about 6 ft and it terminates in a detachable standard xlr. its a condenser mic so you need to power it somehow, but since its a standard xlr you can use whatever you want, not just the propriatary preamp like with the amt. im sure you could attach it somehow with zip ties or velcro. its just a regular full size xlr jack.
 
#58
shwashwa said:
the cable is about 6 ft and it terminates in a detachable standard xlr. its a condenser mic so you need to power it somehow, but since its a standard xlr you can use whatever you want, not just the propriatary preamp like with the amt. im sure you could attach it somehow with zip ties or velcro. its just a regular full size xlr jack.
Click to expand...
So it's possible you could zip tie the XLR to the TP and just run a regular cable to it from a phantom powered source.

This is sounding better all the time.

What's up with the DB mounting bracket. Any idea what they are thinking there?
 
#59
Uncletoad said:
So it's possible you could zip tie the XLR to the TP and just run a regular cable to it from a phantom powered source.

This is sounding better all the time.

What's up with the DB mounting bracket. Any idea what they are thinking there?
Click to expand...

Phil,
I talked with Mile at DPA and they will eventually have a Double Bass version of the mounting bracket. The one that's available now is either a Guitar Mount or Violin Mount. It's going to be a while though.

Ric
 
#60
Ric Vice said:
Phil,
I talked with Mile at DPA and they will eventually have a Double Bass version of the mounting bracket. The one that's available now is either a Guitar Mount or Violin Mount. It's going to be a while though.

Ric
Click to expand...
Did he say anything about how it differs from what they are already doing?
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back