DPA 4080 Miniature Cardioid Microphone – Black

While d:screet Omni Mics are ideal for situations where a broad pickup pattern is essential and off-axis noise is not a problem, in some challenging acoustic environments a directional microphone is the better choice. The d:screet 4080 Cardioid Lavalier captures the human voice with an unusually high degree of definition. This mic offers maximum side rejection and excellent sonic focus on the subject. It is designed for broadcast, conference and other live performances both in the studio and in the field.

It is acoustically pre-equalized, offering a 4 dB presence boost, which matches the mic’s chest placement perfectly. This makes the voice more distinguishable and improves speech intelligibility. Professionals will appreciate that it is lightweight and offers excellent speech reproduction.

This mic is delivered with a pre-mounted black pop filter in a holder with an integrated shock mount, fixed on a clip. An additional white pop filter is also included. Because of the flexible and practical mounting solution, the mic can easily be turned in all directions so it fits both left- and right-buttoned shirts.

A bit about cardioids

Named for its “heart shaped” polar pattern, a cardioid (or directional) microphone has the most sensitivity at the front and is least sensitive from the sides and at the back. They come in many variations – with wider or narrower angles of sensitivity (supercardioid, hypercardioid, wide cardioid etc.). Although cardioids also pick up sound coming in from the sides, this off-axis sound will normally be more or less colored and damped. The unique DPA capsule technique however skips the colorization of the sound coming from the sides or the rear of the mic and just reduces the sensitivity to these angles and thereby offers perfect sound stages. The amount of damping depends on the exact specifications of the mic.

A cardioid microphone is, by definition, damped -6 dB at the 90°side entry of the microphone but for many, the word cardioid generally covers mics with a directional pattern versus omnis, which pick up sound from all directions.

Due to their nature, directional mics are often used on the live stage – both during concerts as well as spoken-word events, to capture the focused sound of an instrument or voice. The narrow angle of sensitivity helps to minimize the bleed from other sounds on a busy stage. One thing to note with cardioid mics is the proximity effect, which causes an increase in bass response the closer the microphone is moved to the sound source. Therefore, when judging mic specs you should always look for a statement stating the distance at which the flat frequency response has been measured. In addition, cardioid mics are far more sensitive to wind, pop and handling noises than omni mics, so be sure to take precautions to guard against this.

Flexible adapter system

All of DPA’s microphones can be configured to run easily and effortlessly with a wireless system. We use a unique MicroDot termination on our microphones together with a changeable adapter to ensure secure configuration. All of the adapters we use are original, developed and manufactured by the wireless system brand you use. This ensures that your mic will work consistently with no connection trouble to your system.

The adapters for wireless systems give you flexible, simple and affordable possibilities. You are no longer bound to one wireless system. As circumstances change, you can just switch your adapter, instead of incurring the cost of a new microphone. When you make the switch, you won’t hear any loss or change in sound quality.

Using an adapter for wireless, our microphones with MicroDot termination are compatible with the professional wireless systems listed below. Many of these brands have several model numbers. To ensure compatibility you should find your particular model number, which in most cases can be found on the transmitter. Other configurations are possible; however, DPA Microphones cannot guarantee full compatibility in these cases.

Wireless brands we work with: Sennheiser, Shure, Sony, Wisycom, Lectrosonics , Zaxcom and many more.

If you prefer to run via a wired system, all of our mics are available with an XLR connector.

Features:

• Lavalier mic optimized for chest placement
• Excellent speech reproduction
• Discreet, compact design
• Fits both left and right buttoned shirts
• Delivered with both black and white pop filters
• Modular adapter system fits most professional wireless systems

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• Directional pattern: Cardioid
• Principle of operation: Pressure gradient
• Cartridge type: Pre-polarized condenser
• Frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• Frequency range, ±2 dB: 250 Hz - 17 kHz with typ. 4 dB soft boost at 4 - 6 kHz (-5 dB at 100 Hz)
• Sensitivity, nominal, ±3 dB at 1 kHz: 20 mV/Pa; -34 dB re. 1 V/Pa
• Equivalent noise level, A-weighted: Typ. 23 dB(A) re. 20 µPa (max. 26 dB(A))
• S/N ratio (A-weighted), re. 1 kHz at 1 Pa (94 dB SPL): Typ. 71 dB(A)
• Total harmonic distortion (THD): < 1% up to 123 dB SPL peak, < 1% up to 120 dB SPL RMS sine
• Dynamic range: Typ. 100 dB
• Max. SPL, peak before clipping: 134 dB
• Output impedance: 30 - 40 Ω
• Cable drive capability: Up to 300 m (984 ft)
• Power supply (for full performance): Min. 5 V - max. 50 V through DPA adapter for wireless systems or 48 V phantom power ±4 V with DAD6001-BC XLR adapter
• Connector: MicroDot
• Color: Black
• Weight: 15 g (0.5 oz) incl. Cable and MicroDot connector
• Microphone diameter: 10 mm (0.4 in)
• Capsule diameter: 5.4 mm (0.21 in)
• Microphone length: 30 mm (1.2 in)
• Cable length: 1.2 m (3.9 ft)
• Cable color: Black
• Cable diameter: 1.6 mm (0.06 in)
• Polarity: Positively increasing sound pressure produces positive going voltage on MicroDot pin
• Temperature range: -40°C to 45°C (-40°F to 113°F)
• Relative humidity (RH): Up to 90%