DPA DDK4000 Drum Microphone Kit

Product overview

The DPA DDK4000 Drum Microphone Kit is a selection of microphones for the drum kit designed to put the sound engineer in control, starting from the clear, true sound of the entire kit.

The kit captures the natural and precise sound of the drums, a clean slate to convey the wanted mood to the audience. Specific microphone placements prevent artefacts, bleed and other shadowing effects, and minimum EQ is needed: it sounds as the drummer hears it.

It holds a 2012 compact cardioid, a pair of 2015 compact wide cardioid overheads, the 4055 kick drum microphone and three 4099 CORE+ Extreme SPL instrument microphones, updated to CORE+ and MicroLock. The upgraded case is extremely stable, with a special foam layout that simplifies assembly and disassembly and gives extra space for gear, so the microphones do not need to be taken apart to go back in the case.

Key features

• Natural and precise sound of the entire drum kit
• Specific placements prevent artefacts, bleed and shadowing
• Minimum EQ needed: sounds as the drummer hears it
• 4055: flat response, built tough, asymmetric design for inside or outside placement
• 4099 CORE+: high SPL, superior gain before feedback, flexible mounting
• 2015: wide cardioid overheads, even pickup across the kit
• 2012: all-round generalist with excellent transient response
• Sturdy upgraded case with extra storage

Made for

• Drum kits on the live stage
• Snare, toms and hi-hats
• Kick drum inside or outside
• Overheads and percussion

In the box

Contents as listed by DPA for the current version of this kit (DDK4002).

• 1 x 2012 compact cardioid
• 2 x 2015 compact wide cardioid
• 1 x 4055 kick drum microphone
• 3 x 4099 CORE+, Extreme SPL
• 4 x Microphone holder
• 3 x DAD9001 MicroLock to 3-pin XLR adapter with belt clip
• 3 x Microphone clip for drum
• 3 x MicroLock extension cable, 2.2 mm, 1.8 m (5.9 ft), black
• 3 x Foam windscreen
• 1 x Zip pouch
• 1 x Protective hard case

DPA DDK4000: frequently asked questions

What does the DDK4000 contain?

A 2012 compact cardioid, two 2015 compact wide cardioids, a 4055 kick drum microphone and three 4099 CORE+ Extreme SPL microphones, with holders, drum clips, DAD9001 adapters, MicroLock cables, windscreens, a zip pouch and a protective hard case.

Where does the 4055 go?

It captures the power and true sound of the kick drum placed inside or outside the drum; its asymmetric design makes placement easy.

What are the 4099 microphones used on?

They excel on the snare, toms and hi-hats; the flexible gooseneck can be angled for a variety of sound nuances.

Why wide cardioid overheads?

The 2015 can be placed close to the drum kit, over the cymbals, and still capture sound evenly across the kit, giving a stronger signal and less bleed from the stage.

Do the microphones need to be taken apart for the case?

No. The special foam layout simplifies assembly and disassembly and gives extra space for gear.

Are the contents the same as DPA's current kit?

The contents listed here are those DPA lists for the current version of the kit, the DDK4002.

Where can I buy the DPA DDK4000 in India?

The DPA DDK4000 is available from Shivansh Electronics, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, with delivery across India.

Workflow 1: Kick drum

Live engineers miking the bass drum.

Connections

Setup

1. Place the 4055 inside or outside the drum.
2. Connect and set the gain.
3. Shape the sound; its flat response leaves the choice open.

Tip: Built tough for rough use on the live stage.

Workflow 2: Snare and toms

Engineers close miking drums.

Connections

Setup

1. Clip a 4099 to the snare or tom rim.
2. Angle the gooseneck for the wanted nuance.
3. Connect with P48 and set the gain.

Tip: Superior gain before feedback on a loud stage.

Workflow 3: Hi-hat

Engineers miking cymbals and hi-hats.

Connections

Setup

1. Mount the microphone near the hi-hat.
2. Aim it away from the snare.
3. Connect and set the level.

Tip: The 2012 is an all-round generalist with excellent transient response.

Workflow 4: Overheads

Engineers capturing the whole kit.

Connections

Setup

1. Place the pair close to the kit, over the cymbals.
2. Check the even coverage across the kit.
3. Pan and balance.

Tip: The closer position gives a stronger signal and less bleed from the stage.

Workflow 5: Percussion

Engineers miking percussion instruments.

Connections

Setup

1. Position the microphone on the instrument.
2. Connect and set the gain.

Tip: The 4099 handles high SPLs.

Workflow 6: Pack-down

Crews moving between stages.

Connections

Setup

1. Put the microphones back without taking them apart.
2. Store cables and clips in the extra space.
3. Close the case.

Tip: The upgraded case is extremely stable.