DPA Microphones
DPA 4015A
Wide-cardioid small-diaphragm pencil condenser (d:dicate 4015A, 19 mm capsule, 0/-20 dB attenuator)
Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.
Power P48 (phantom power).
- Type
- Condenser (electret)
- Pattern
- Wide cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −40 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 33%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 53%
- Self-noise
- 18 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 33%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 32%
- Max SPL
- 136 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 45%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 42%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
vs 75 end-address condensers
More output than 20% of 75 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-address condenser with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
vs 104 end-address condensers
Quieter than 34% of 104 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-address condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 110 end-address condensers
Takes louder sound than 46% of 110 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-address condenser with a published max SPL, and each bar counts them; further right means it takes louder sound. This mic is in blue.
Instruments sources recommend it for most
5 of 9; all under Recommended for.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the spec sheet, p. 3.
Captioned "Typical on and off-axis response of a 4015A measured at 60 cm (23.6 in)". The product page adds: "On-axis (0°) measured at 60 cm (23.6 in), other directions measured in the far field." Drawn solid from 40 Hz to 20 kHz, dotted outside.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the spec sheet, p. 4. Approximate
Captioned "Typical directional characteristics of a 4015A"; 5 dB per ring, centre -25 dB. Measuring conditions not stated.
Approximate: reading error up to about 1 dB; some frequencies are identified by reasoning, not by the legend: 250 Hz, 1k Hz.
In practice
All specs
| From the spec sheet | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | 19 mm pre-polarised condenser, pressure gradientCapsule diameter 19 mm (0.75 in); principle of operation "Pressure gradient" (p. 1). | p. 2 |
| Sensitivity | −40 dBV/Pa (10 mV/Pa)nominal, ±2 dB at 1 kHz. "10 mV/Pa; -40 dB re. 1 V/Pa". | |
| Self-noise | 18 dB(A)typ. (max. 20 dB(A)) | |
| Self-noiseCCIR 468 | 25 dBITU-R BS.468-4, typ. (max. 27 dB). The product page adds "correct with the attenuator in 0 dB or -20 dB setting". | |
| Max SPL | 136 dB SPLTHD < 1%, RMS; also 139 dB SPL, THD < 1%, peak; also 159 dB SPL, THD 10%, peak | |
| Dynamic range | 121 dBtyp. | |
| Output impedance | 200 ohmrated | |
| Rated load impedance | 2000 ohmminimum. "Minimum load impedance 2 kΩ". | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHzEffective range ±2 dB at 60 cm: 40 Hz - 20 kHz (p. 2). | p. 1 |
| Powering | P48 (phantom power)"Power supply (for full performance)". | p. 2 |
| Current draw | 2.8 mA | |
| Pad | 0 / -20 dB switchable attenuator"Switchable attenuator, filters etc.: 0 dB / -20 dB". | |
| Connector | XLR-3M (pin 1 shield, pin 2 signal + phase, pin 3 - phase) | |
| Weight | 158 g | |
| Dimensions | 19 × 170 mmDiameter × length: microphone diameter 19 mm (0.75 in), length 170 mm (6.7 in). | |
| Finish | matte black | |
| Cable drive capability | 100 m (328 ft) | |
| Output balance principle | Impedance balancing with Active Drive | |
| CMRR | > 60 dB | |
| Maximum output voltage, RMS | 8 V | p. 3 |
| Polarity | +V at pin 2 for positive sound pressure | |
| Temperature range | -40 °C to 45 °C | |
| Relative humidity | Up to 90% | |
| Matching tolerancefrequency response and sensitivity | ±1 dB; phase deviation for kit < 10° | |
| 4015C compact version | The same capsule on a compact preamp: 64 mm long, 58 g, 100 Ω, max. SPL 152 dB peak (THD 10%), max. output 4.5 V, CMRR > 50 dB, no attenuator listed; other figures and the graphs as the 4015A. | p. 5 |
Documents
- DPA Document Portal - 40154015 Wide Cardioid Microphone, Specifications - 4015A and 4015C
- 4015A Wide Cardioid Microphoneproduct page specifications
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © DPA Microphones, unchanged, with its original address.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.