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Double Bass The new AER Pockettools!

Barcza

Barcza

May 1, 2005
1,177
259
Budapest
www.myspace.com
#1
I found this very interesting new tool to process and blending different signals from acoustic instruments. It has Neutrik switchable inputs, when use with pickup it has 2,2Mohm input impedance, the mic channel has 24v phantom power supply. Most of the condenser mics need 48v, but I hear DPA 4099 works with Headway preamp which has only 18v. So maybe with 24v could produce closer to the original DPA specification, and AER is a good call for me. A little pricey as all of the AER gears. I find it for €398 here: Invalid Link Removed
 

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#7
I received the Colourizer, and so far only tested it at home, but my initial impressions are very positive. My bass has a resonance peak at around 120 hz, which is exaggerated when amplifyng the bass. The parametric eq on the Colourizer enables me to dial out this peak, leaving me with a very clean and acoustic-like tone. I can honestly say that my amplified sound has never sounded more natural (coming from a guy who has used Schertler, Neumann, boutique preamps, etc). The only downside is the added hiss, caused by the fact that the preamp only delivers 24v, whereas the DPA needs 48v. Yet, it is perfectly useable, and in live situations it won't be noticeable. However, being the perfectionist that I am, I will probably purchase a DPA MPS6001, a battery-powered xlr adapter specifically designed to power the DPA miniature mics, even though this adapter costs almost as much as the AER Colourizer...

Cheers,
Vincent
 
#8
Hello Vunz,

are you sure that the hiss you´re hearing comes from to little phantom power? DPA confirms that the mic works well with lesser power. I tried the 4099 with different preamps with 12v, 18v, and the 24v from the AER and I couldn´t hear a difference hiss-wise. I hear noticeably more hiss from the 4099 than from the 4061, but I think that comes from the characteristic of the mics. But when I set the gain right the hiss I get from the 4099 is still very tolerable.
I own the Dual Mix and for now I find it a very good unit. Maybe the best sounding preamp I´ve tried so far and I have collected some of them.
I don´t think that the DPA MPS6001 gives you 48v, since it works with a batterie. As far as I understood the specifications of the MPS6001 you´ll end up with much lesser phantom power, unless you feed it with 48v. In this case it works like a adaptor.

All the Best
Michael
 
#9
I contacted dpa, and the problem isn't that the mic needs 48v, but the xlr adapter does. This adapter converts the 48v to the amount that the mic itself needs. If the adapter receives less current, it also gives less to the mic. Also, my cab has a 2" dome tweeter, which enables it to amplify many nuances of my sound, but also unwanted elements such as hiss. It transmits everything, good and bad. Anyway, I have ordered the adapter, and we will see if that makes any difference. Dpa assured me that it will.

Cheers,
Vincent
 
#10
Some additional info to contextualize my previous findings: I used the dpa with the same cab and a Grace m101 preamp that delivers true 48v, and there was no hiss. Also, I tried the AER with a dynamic mic and my cab: no hiss. So, I think DPA Denmark was right in claiming that the best results are gained by using 48v, or one of their bespoke power adapters. DPA also informed me that they have plans to create a 24v adapter, but they could not give any specific time frame.

Cheers,
Vincent
 
#12
Well, I received the MPS6001 today, and I can say that the difference is, without exaggeration, night and day. With this adapter, the hiss is totally gone. You can't even tell that the amp is on when I am not playing. It is quite an investment (the DPA MPS6001 costs almost as much as the AER pre), but, as far as I am concerned, it is totally worth it. The only downside is that I am now dependent on a battery, but in the event that the battery dies, I can continue using this adapter while powered by the phantom power of the AER, albeit with the added hiss.

Cheers,
Vincent
 
#13
i need some help here...just got my 4099 mic and can't get anything out of it, plugged it straight into the xlr input on my little mark bass head and no sound....i tried going through a fishman DI...no luck...what am i missing ?
 

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