Earthworks Audio
Earthworks DM20
Small-diaphragm condenser, cardioid, on a gooseneck, for close miking snare and toms; mounts on the drum rim
Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.
Power Phantom 24-48 V.
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −50 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 8%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 34%
- Self-noise
- 20 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 23%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 23%
- Max SPL
- 150 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 92%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 91%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
vs 75 end-address condensers
More output than 3% 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 19% 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 97% 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
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the user guide, p. 5.
"Frequency Response of DM20 (typical)"; relative dB (+10 to -20). The legend says "5 inches" (the specifications give the range "@ 6” (15cm)"). Room and smoothing not stated.
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. 2. Approximate
"DM20 Polar Response"; full circle, 0° at the top, rings 5 dB apart from 0 to -30 dB at the centre. Measuring conditions not stated.
Approximate: reading error up to about 1 dB.
In practice
All specs
| From the user guide | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity | −50 dBV/Pa (3 mV/Pa)also −42 dBV/Pa, 8 mV/Pa, 2020 data sheet and May 2022 guide. "3mV/Pa (-50dBV/Pa)"; the product page says the same. The 2020 data sheet and the May 2022 guide say "8mV/Pa (-42dBV/Pa)". | p. 5 |
| Self-noise | 20 dB(A)"20dB SPL (A weighted)"; the product page: "20dB SPL equivalent (A weighted)". | |
| Max SPL | 150 dB SPLpeak acoustic input. "Peak Acoustic Input 150dB SPL"; no THD figure. | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz+2 dB at 15 cm. "20Hz to 20kHz +2dB @ 6” (15cm)". | |
| Powering | phantom 24-48 V"24-48V Phantom,10mA". | |
| Current draw | 10 mA | |
| Connector | XLR-3 male (pin 2 +)"XLR (Pin 2+)"; the data sheet: "XLR-3 (pin 2+)". | |
| Weight | 250 g".55lb (.25kg)", as on the product page. The 2020 data sheet prints "0.35 lb. (1.60kg)", which contradicts itself. | |
| Dimensions | 282 × 22 mmLength × diameter: "11.12 x .860 inches (282.44mm x 22mm)". | |
| Supplied accessories | RM1 Drum RimMount; microphone bag; PW1 foam windscreen"Your purchase includes". | p. 2 |
| Gooseneck | 120.65 mm long, 9.53 mm diameter ("4.75 x .375 inches") | p. 5 |
| PlacementEarthworks | Mic head 1.5 to 3 inches above the drumhead, at an angle to it, never parallel | p. 3 |
| Impulse response | Graph on page 5 (50 microseconds per division); not stored | p. 5 |
| Gooseneck care | Do not bend beyond 90 degrees repeatedly | p. 6 |
| From the product page | ||
| Capsule | small diaphragm, with a Class A amplifier"A small diaphragm capsule coupled with a proprietary Class A amplifier circuit." | p. 1 |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 74 dBA-weighted. "Signal to noise ratio 74dB A-weighted". | |
| Output impedance | 200 ohmbalanced, between pins 2 & 3. "200Ω balanced (between pins 2 & 3)"; the 2020 data sheet says the same. | |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmminimum, between pins 2 & 3. "Min output load 1000Ω between pins 2 & 3", as on the 2020 data sheet. Both guides print "Minimum Output Load 200Ω", which looks like the output impedance under the wrong label. | |
Documents
- DM20 Tom & Snare Drum Microphoneuser guide, version 3.1, September 2023
- DM20 Tom & Snare Drum Microphoneuser guide, May 2022
- DM20 Drum Microphone, For Snare & Tom Drumsdata sheet V1
- DM20 | Earthworks Audioproduct page
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents), unchanged, with their original addresses. Each is © its publisher.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.