0
HV-3C
A WORD ABOUT DPA (Brüel & Kjær) MICROPHONES
At present, Danish Pro Audio (formerly Brüel & Kjær Pro Audio Division) manufactures two
families of 4000-series professional recording microphones. One family is +48VDC phantom
powered, the other is +130VDC direct powered. A primary difference between omni fami-
lies (4003/4 vs. 4006/7) is that the high voltage microphones are transformerless whereas the
phantom powered varieties are transformer coupled. Millennia Media has used both varieties
extensively with symphony orchestra, choir, jazz ensemble, pop recording, and so forth. We
have found the transformerless high voltage omni version to perform substantially better than
its transformer-coupled omni counterpart. The transformerless version (4003) sounds generally
"clearer" and more true to the source; especially during wide frequency and amplitude exten-
sions. And this is saying a lot considering that DPA's transformer-coupled microphones sound
extremely pure.
The following is a brief summary of certain DPA high-voltage microphone products and speci-
fications. Most of this material is taken directly from DPA's documentation is is thought to be
accurate, however, Millennia Media assumes no responsibility for errors or subsequent changes
in the following specifications. Those desiring up-to-date information concerning DPA micro-
phones should contact DPA directly.
4003
4004
4012
PATTERN
Omni
Omni
Cardioid
SELF-NOISE
15 dB(a)
24 dB(a)
19 dB(a)
SPL (max)
154 dB SPL
168 dB SPL
168 dB SPL
FREQ (-3dB)
8 Hz - 30 kHz
8 Hz - 45 kHz
35 Hz - 25 kHz
IMPEDANCE
< 30 ohms
< 30 ohms
< 30 ohms
SENSITIVITY
50 mV / Pa
10 mV / Pa
9 mV / Pa
A number of options are available for the 4003 microphone. One grid, the 0777, provides su-
perior omnidirectional response throughout the high frequencies. Another grid, the 0297, pro-
vides a high frequency presence boost. The standard grid provides the most accurate response
on-axis. A development called the APE (acoustic pressure equalizer) tailors the 4003 to respond
like vintage M-50 or newer TLM-50 microphones. The various APE attachments boost mid
to high frequencies arriving on axis without exhibiting proximity effect at lower frequencies.
When used with various grids, numerous polar patterns and response curves can be achieved.
DPA offers a service of factory-matching new pairs of microphones for tight stereo tracking of
sensitivity and frequency response. Millennia Media highly recommends this service and can as-
sist customers in obtaining these microphones. The HV-3C micamp circuits maintain near-per-
fectly flat, inter-channel matched frequency response and less than 1/4 degree of interchannel
phase error — a perfect compliment to a factory-matched pair of DPA microphones.
