DPA 4660 CORE Heavy Duty Omni Lavalier Microphone, Normal SPL

Product overview

The DPA 4660 CORE Heavy Duty is an omnidirectional miniature lavalier microphone for normal sound pressure levels, made for situations that call for maximum security and where the visual size of the microphone matters less.

A very flexible and durable miniature, the 4660 Heavy Duty has an exceptionally accurate omnidirectional pattern, so it does not need to be aimed directly at the source to achieve quality pickup. It is especially suited to capturing speech in all its nuances and can be used for very high-end ambient recordings where space is limited or the microphone needs to be hidden. It handles sound pressure levels up to 134 dB before clipping.

The Heavy Duty series is a more robust version of the original DPA miniatures it is based on: a stainless steel housing, a heavy-duty, aramid-reinforced cable relief and a thick 2.2 mm cable withstand the constant twists, bends and pulls of everyday use in harsh environments. The 5.4 mm pre-polarised condenser element with the Double Vent Protection System makes the microphone extremely resistant to humidity and sweat.

This is the CORE generation of the 4660 Heavy Duty, fitted with the MicroDot connector for DPA's modular adapter system, which fits most professional wireless systems. It is also offered with a fixed 3-pin LEMO termination. Available in black or beige.

Key features

• CORE technology, with the MicroDot connector
• Two interchangeable grids supplied: Soft Boost Grid and High Boost Grid
• The most rugged and reliable version of the DPA miniatures: stainless steel housing, heavy-duty strain relief and a thick 2.2 mm cable
• Aramid-reinforced cable and strain relief built to withstand the constant twists, bends and pulls of everyday use in harsh environments
• Exceptionally accurate omnidirectional pattern: no need to aim the microphone directly at the source
• 5.4 mm pre-polarised condenser element with the Double Vent Protection System, extremely resistant to humidity and sweat
• Exceptional audio quality and uniform, consistent sound between DPA microphones
• Sturdy but small for flexible and easy concealment
• Modular adapter system fits most professional wireless systems

Two grids to tune the response

The acoustic response is modified by selecting the right grid for the job. The Soft Boost Grid gives a 3 dB soft boost at 8 to 20 kHz, while the High Boost Grid introduces a 10 dB soft boost around 12 kHz. Both grids are made of anodised stainless steel and can be detached from the microphone and wiped clean of sweat, make-up and dust.

Made for

• Speech in all its nuances
• Very high-end ambient recordings where space is limited
• Hidden microphone placements
• Harsh environments that call for maximum security
• Use with wireless systems through DPA adapters

In the box

• 4660 CORE Heavy Duty omnidirectional miniature microphone with the chosen termination
• Soft Boost Grid
• High Boost Grid

DPA 4660 CORE Heavy Duty: frequently asked questions

What does Normal SPL mean on the 4660?

The 4660 has a sensitivity of 20 mV/Pa and handles sound pressure levels up to 134 dB before clipping. It is especially suited to speech in all its nuances and to very high-end ambient recordings.

What makes the Heavy Duty version different?

It is the most rugged version of the DPA miniatures: a stainless steel housing, a heavy-duty strain relief and a thick 2.2 mm aramid-reinforced cable, made for situations that call for maximum security.

Does the microphone have to point at the source?

No. The 4660 has an exceptionally accurate omnidirectional pattern, so it achieves quality pickup without being aimed directly at the source.

Which grids come with it?

Two grids are supplied: the Soft Boost Grid (3 dB soft boost at 8 to 20 kHz) and the High Boost Grid (10 dB soft boost around 12 kHz). Both are anodised stainless steel and can be detached and wiped clean.

Which connectors are available?

This CORE version is offered with the MicroDot connector or a fixed 3-pin LEMO termination. The DPA modular adapter system fits most professional wireless systems, and a DPA XLR adapter allows P48 phantom-powered wired use.

Where can I buy the DPA 4660 CORE Heavy Duty in India?

The DPA 4660 CORE Heavy Duty is available from Shivansh Electronics, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, with delivery across India.

Workflow 1: Speech with a wireless system

Sound teams miking presenters, speakers and performers.

Connections

Setup

1. Choose the grid: Soft Boost for a natural sound, High Boost for a 10 dB soft boost around 12 kHz.
2. Place the microphone; it does not need to be aimed at the mouth.
3. Connect it to the transmitter and set the gain.

Tip: The omnidirectional pattern captures speech in all its nuances.

Workflow 2: Hidden microphone placement

Recordists who must conceal the microphone.

Connections

Setup

1. Choose black or beige to suit the surroundings.
2. Conceal the microphone; it is sturdy but small.
3. Route the 2.2 mm cable and connect it.

Tip: The 4660 can be used where space is limited or the microphone needs to be hidden.

Workflow 3: High-end ambient recording

Recordists capturing ambience in tight spaces.

Connections

Setup

1. Place the microphone where space is limited.
2. Connect it through the DPA XLR adapter and switch on P48.
3. Set the gain; the 4660 handles up to 134 dB before clipping.

Tip: The Normal SPL sensitivity of 20 mV/Pa gives low self-noise (typ. 23 dB(A)).

Workflow 4: Harsh, high-security environments

Users who need maximum reliability from a miniature.

Connections

Setup

1. Fit the microphone where cables are pulled, bent and twisted.
2. Rely on the stainless steel housing and heavy-duty strain relief.
3. Check the connection and level.

Tip: The aramid-reinforced cable and strain relief withstand everyday use in harsh environments.

Workflow 5: Wired use with phantom power

Studios, conferences and installations using wired microphone inputs.

Connections

Setup

1. Connect the MicroDot connector to the DPA XLR adapter.
2. Switch on P48 phantom power at the input.
3. Run the cable; up to 300 m is possible with the XLR adapter.

Tip: The microphone also works from 12 V.

Workflow 6: Wireless systems through DPA adapters

Users of professional wireless systems.

Connections

Setup

1. Choose the DPA adapter that matches the transmitter's input.
2. Attach it to the MicroDot connector.
3. Power comes from the transmitter: min. 5 V - max. 10 V.

Tip: The modular adapter system fits most professional wireless systems.