DPA Microphones Creates Killer Audio for The Killers' Fall TourAlways on the lookout for the newest audio solutions for the rock band, The Killers, FOH engineer Kenny Kaiser and monitor engineer Marty Beath were immediately intrigued by DPA's new 4055 Kick Drum Mic. Among the first to get their hands on the mic, the duo put it to the test at production rehearsals before heading out on the band's The Killing the Mirage Tour. After receiving universally positive feedback, the decision was made: DPA's 4055 Kick Drum Mic was joining The Killers' touring gear line-up alongside the group's existing DPA solutions, such as the 4099 CORE Instrument Mics, 4011 Cardioid Condenser Mics and d:facto 4018 Vocal Microphone. Before solidifying their kick drum mic of choice, Kaiser and Beath tested out three variations of a mic setup. "We had a plate mic, a ribbon mic and then the new DPA," explains Beath, "and we were swapping between them, listening to what we could get out of each combination. Because the DPA is linear, you have to shape it, but that's great because that's what you want -- to have control and not be dictated by the voicing of the mic. So, I think it's fantastic for this drum, but it will also translate across multiple drum kits." Beath continues, saying, "It can handle the SPL, no problem whatsoever, and we've pretty much maintained our normal placement. We'll probably experiment as we go along and get more comfortable with it, but so far, it's mind-blowing." Kaiser also notes that the mic's voicing is one of the key standouts for the pair. "The overall design of this [mic] answers that famous line of optimize or compromise," Kaiser explains. "The compromise for us is we have a very loud stage, so being able to design everything around that is huge." 
|
