DPA 2015 Wide Cardioid Microphone
PRICE - Rs. 1,07,490
DPA 2015 compact wide cardioid pencil microphone: spacious overhead pickup of drums and instrument groups, flat off-axis response, brass body. Available in India from Shivansh Electronics, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
VISUAL GUIDE — See Every Photo, Spec & Setup Step (PDF)
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Acoustics
| Directional pattern | Wide cardioid |
| Principle of operation | Pressure gradient |
| Cartridge type | Pre-polarised condenser |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20 kHz |
| Effective frequency range ±2 dB, at 30 cm (11.8 in) | 40 Hz - 18 kHz |
| Sensitivity, nominal, ±2 dB at 1 kHz | 12 mV/Pa |
| Equivalent noise level, A-weighted | Typ. 18 dB(A) re. 20 µPa (max. 20 dB(A)) |
| Distortion, THD < 1 % | 147 dB SPL, 150 dB SPL peak |
| Dynamic range | Typ. 132 dB |
| Max. SPL, THD 10 % | 153 dB SPL peak |
Electrical
| Rated output impedance | 60 Ω |
| Cable drive capability | 100 m (328 ft) |
| Output balance principle | Impedance balancing with Active Drive |
| Common mode rejection ratio (CMRR) | > 60 dB |
| Power supply (for full performance) | P48 phantom power |
| Current consumption | 0.7 mA |
| Maximum output voltage, RMS | 8.7 V (21 dBu) |
| Connector | XLR-3M. Pin 1: shield, pin 2: signal + phase, pin 3: - phase |
| Polarity | +V at pin 2 for positive sound pressure |
Physical
| Weight | 83 g (2.9 oz) |
| Microphone diameter | 19 mm (0.75 in) |
| Capsule diameter | 17 mm (0.67 in) |
| Microphone length | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Temperature range | -40 °C to 45 °C (-40 °F to 113 °F) |
| Relative humidity (RH) | Up to 90 % |
| Colour | Black |
Product overview
The DPA 2015 is a compact wide cardioid overhead microphone whose wider pick-up pattern captures the spacious, natural sound of a whole drum kit or another instrument group, with exceptionally natural and precise sound reproduction.
In a live situation where a conventional cardioid pattern is not quite open enough, the 2015 works ideally as an overhead to capture a balanced sound of an entire group of instruments. For instrument groups with complex radiation patterns, the wide cardioid design (also known as hemispheric, subcardioid or hypocardioid) covers a greater sound angle. Its compact design makes it an unobtrusive solution for live stage placement.
The 2015 has a wide cardioid capsule with DPA's famously flat off-axis response. Besides a high gain-before-feedback, this makes it easier to handle bleed from other instruments at close proximity, and it picks up off-axis sounds in a very natural, attenuated way. It can be positioned near the drum kit, closer than overhead microphones are normally placed, and still capture sound evenly across the entire kit; the closer position gives a stronger signal and less bleed from the stage.
The 2015 is built to withstand rough handling on a hectic live stage: a thicker, more robust brass body that is very durable and known for its corrosion resistance and tolerance against metal fatigue, with the handle and grille surfaces treated with a protective black chrome finish for more graceful ageing.
| Pre-polarised condenser | Wide cardioid |
| Sensitivity | 12 mV/Pa |
| Equivalent noise, typ. | 18 dB(A) |
| Dynamic range, typ. | 132 dB |
Key features
- Durable, reinforced construction: thick brass body, protective black chrome finish
- Uniform wide cardioid directionality with DPA's famously flat off-axis response
- Spacious sound from a wide cardioid pick-up pattern
- Natural and precise sound reproduction
- Compact design for unobtrusive placement on stage
- High gain-before-feedback
- Available as a single microphone or as the ST2015 stereo pair
Made for
- Overheads on drums
- Grand piano, away from or close to the strings
- Horn groups
- Vibraphones and xylophones
- Large marimbas and other large instruments
In the box
- DPA 2015 Wide Cardioid Microphone
DPA 2015: frequently asked questions
What is a wide cardioid microphone?
A wide cardioid (also known as hemispheric, subcardioid or hypocardioid) covers a greater sound angle than a conventional cardioid, which suits instrument groups with complex radiation patterns.
Why use the 2015 as a drum overhead?
It can sit closer to the kit than overhead microphones are normally placed and still capture the whole kit evenly. The closer position gives a stronger signal and less bleed from the stage.
How does it handle bleed from other instruments?
DPA's famously flat off-axis response picks up off-axis sound in a very natural, attenuated way, and gives a high gain-before-feedback.
Is it built for the road?
Yes. A thick brass body with corrosion resistance and tolerance against metal fatigue, and a protective black chrome finish, are made to withstand rough handling on a hectic live stage.
Is there a stereo pair?
Yes. The 2015 really shines as a matched stereo pair, the ST2015, selected with ±1.5 dB sensitivity tolerance and supplied with holders and windscreens.
Where can I buy the DPA 2015 in India?
The DPA 2015 is available from Shivansh Electronics, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, with delivery across India.
Workflow 1: Drum overheads, placed close
Live engineers miking drum kits.
Connections
| Connect | To |
|---|---|
| 2015 | Above the drum kit, closer than usual overheads |
| 2015 (XLR-3M) | Mixer input with P48 |
Setup
- Position the 2015 near the kit.
- Connect and switch on P48.
- Check that the whole kit is captured evenly.
Tip: The closer position gives a stronger signal and less bleed from the stage.
Workflow 2: Grand piano
Engineers miking piano live or in the studio.
Connections
| Connect | To |
|---|---|
| 2015 | Away from or close to the strings |
| 2015 | Microphone input with P48 |
Setup
- Choose a position away from or close to the strings.
- Connect and power the microphone.
- Set the level.
Tip: Grand piano is one of the key applications of the 2015.
Workflow 3: Horn groups
Live engineers miking brass sections.
Connections
| Connect | To |
|---|---|
| 2015 | In front of the horn group |
| 2015 | Stage box input |
Setup
- Place the microphone to cover the whole group.
- Connect it.
- Balance it with the other section microphones.
Tip: The wide pattern covers a greater sound angle.
Workflow 4: Mallet instruments
Engineers miking vibraphones, xylophones and large marimbas.
Connections
| Connect | To |
|---|---|
| 2015 | Above the instrument |
| 2015 | Microphone input |
Setup
- Place the microphone over the instrument.
- Connect and power with P48.
- Check the full range of the bars.
Tip: Made for large instruments with complex radiation patterns.
Workflow 5: Busy stage with bleed
Engineers working at close proximity to other instruments.
Connections
| Connect | To |
|---|---|
| 2015 | Source |
| 2015 | Mixer input |
Setup
- Aim the microphone at the source.
- Connect it.
- Let the flat off-axis response keep the bleed natural.
Tip: High gain-before-feedback.
Workflow 6: Long cable runs
Venues with distant mixers.
Connections
| Connect | To |
|---|---|
| 2015 (Active Drive) | Long balanced XLR cable |
| XLR cable | Mixer input with P48 |
Setup
- Connect the microphone to the cable run.
- Switch on P48.
- Set the gain.
Tip: Cable drive capability up to 100 m (328 ft).
