As the Danish company confirms, different from traditional kick drum mics, this new addition to the DPA product lineup is a durable mic solution that is not pre-tailored to any specific sound, allowing sound engineers to shape the sound exactly as desired. The microphone has been rigorously tested to perform in a variety of applications and genres, from pop, and rock, to jazz, folk and other genres. More importantly, the DPA 4055 was built to withstand the rigors of life on the road, even though it performs equally well in the studio.
The sound of a kick drum is a contentious topic among music producers and audio engineers. Traditionally, the "real" kick drum sound contains a lot of undesirable information, from the squeals of the foot pedals to the mechanical noises of the instrument itself, rims and skins - very often submitted to less than ideal road and stage conditions. Even for studio recording, drum kits are rarely kept in pristine condition, with perfectly tuned elements. That partially explains also why the kick drum was replaced or overdub with the "perfect" sound of a drum machine or sampled drum track - considered almost the basic foundation for tracking in many music genres.
DPA Microphones believes that is up for dispute and that the "sound" of the kick drum should be defined in the mix and not limited in the recording. And its engineers designed a hi-fidelity capsule, with an intentional use for kick drum-specific applications, picking up the true, clear sound of the instrument in the best DPA tradition. The 4055 microphone also offers a linear frequency response, both on- and off axis, which results in a very tight, natural, well-defined sound. DPA says that this makes the low end punchier and dials in the right setting for the beater, while removing some of the mid-range is easier than ever before.
The shape of the DPA 4055 is another unique feature that sets it apart from other kick drum mics. Its asymmetric design makes it easy to position when slid into any size drum without risking a tear in the drum skin. It can also be placed both inside or outside the kick drum, so finding the ideal placement is quick and effortless. Additionally, the 4055 has a large housing and ample wind damping foam, positioned in front of the capsule behind the grille, to deal with turbulence in front of the drum holes. DPA says this is accomplished without compromising on sound pickup or quality.
“We are very excited for the creative possibilities and high-quality sound that this new kick drum microphone provides in both live and recording applications,” says René Mørch, product director, DPA Microphones A/S. “While people turn to DPA for our miniature solutions, we know that they are also used to using a large kick drum mic that can handle high SPLs and dampen the inherent wind created by the movement of the drum skin. We took all this into account when designing the 4055 Kick Drum mic and working with several engineers throughout the development, created a solution that is large, yet unobtrusive, and delivers the best sound available on the market.”
"This new kick drum mic exhibits the same qualities as all DPA directional mics with a flat on-axis and a very controlled, linear off-axis. Thanks to this flat curve, the sound of the 4055 can be tailored and tweaked as necessary depending on what genre is being played. Unlike other drum mics, you can hear the differences in sound when the DPA 4055 mic is placed at various angles to the kick drum. Being a condenser mic, it is fast and produces a tight and clean sound even at very high SPL (max SPL is 164 dB)," the company adds.
Because of this linearity and extended frequency response, DPA also says that the DPA 4055 is not necessarily limited to the kick drum and could work equally well on other instruments, such as electric guitar cabinets, bass and horns.
Pricing for the new 4055 microphone begins at $730 USD plus local VAT/tax and is now shipping.
New DPA Appointments
DPA Microphones is expanding its team worldwide, with brand new sales appointments for distinct regions of the globe. But the microphone manufacturer also announced new key hires in product management, research and development, and production.
Helga Somava recently joined DPA as one of the brand’s directors of product management. A graduate of Copenhagen Engineering College with a focus on export engineering, Somava brings leadership experience from past directorial and managerial roles at Bang & Olufsen, GN Netcom and most recently at NUORI ApS, where she served as COO. In her new position, Helga Somava will oversee the development of new products as they align with DPA’s goals in the industry.
Another recent addition to the team is Torben Ekenberg, the company’s new head of research and development. In this role, Ekenberg, who holds a variety of degrees in electro-mechanical engineering and business, will lead the research efforts needed for the creation of new technology and equipment. A previous R&D manager for Brüel & Kjær’s Transducer department, Ekenberg comes to DPA with a familiarity of the brand and its technology. Most recently, Ekenberg served as the director of program management at BK Medical and has also held various executive positions with NNE Pharmaplan, Contex AS and Glunz & Jensen.
Further additions to the team include Nikolaj Vejen as senior product manager, Richard Watts as regional manager – Southern UK, Konrad Majchrowski as area sales manager – Poland, JC Bittence as area sales manager – Midwest U.S., Carlito Cobos as area sales manager, Southern U.S. and Latin America, and Tetiana Kulyk as digital marketing specialist.
www.dpamicrophones.com
