recordinghacks

DPA 4052

Omnidirectional Condenser Microphone

The DPA 4051/4052 is a compact omnidirectional microphone designed for instrument miking or “invisible” installations in halls. The difference between the two models is the positioning of the fixed cable:

• 4051 - the cable exits at 90° to the mic’s axis of directionality
• 4052 - the cable exits behind the microphone, at 180° to the microphone’s axis.

Both models use the same capsule type as is found in the DPA 4006. It is a 16mm electret condenser.

The mic is nominally flat (±0.5dB) from 20Hz–2kHz. Its high-frequency response can be modified by fitting any of at least four external “grids,” which are snap-on metal covers that act as passive equalizers.

	DD0251 Free Field Grid Designed for close miking, this grid produces the flattest possible response from the 4051/4052; on-axis, the response graph shows a flat line through 10kHz, then a ~1dB lift from 10kHz–22kHz. The off-axis response rolls off above 3kHz, with a -3dB point at 10kHz.
	DD0297 Diffuse Field Grid Designed for distance miking, this grid produces a flat response through 15kHz. At close distances, on axis, this grid allows a 6dB boost from 10kHz–20kHz.
	DD0254 Close Miking Grid Designed for close miking, this grid produces a softer high-frequency roll-off than the DD0251.
	UA0777 Nose Cone Designed to affect the mic’s polar pattern rather than its frequency response, the UA0777 counteracts the capsule’s tendency to attenuate high frequency off-axis sounds. The result is “an even tonal balance of sound arriving at all angles of incidence,” albeit with a sharp 5dB boost for on-axis sounds at 12kHz, even in the diffuse field.

The DPA 4052 is also known as: 4051.

Specifications

Pickup Patterns	Pads & Filters
Omnidirectional (30 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz)

Capsule Dimensions	Impedance	SPL/Noise
Diaphragm diameter: 16mm	300 Ohms (Low)	Max SPL: 131 dB Self-noise: 15.0 dB(A)

Weight	Length	Max Diameter	Interface(s)
22g (0.78oz)	25mm (0.98'')	n/a

Power Specifications
Requires phantom power

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