A long-time user of DPA Microphones, Jeff Weinkauf – General Manager at Oregon’s Hult Center for the Performing Arts – has expanded the venue’s microphone collection with the acquisition of 2011 Twin Diaphragm and 4055 Kick Drum Microphones.
The Hult’s 2,447-seat main hall is used by resident companies – including the Eugene Ballet and Eugene Symphony – as well as established touring artists, Broadway musicals and comedy shows. A second 495-seat hall provides up-and-coming acts a space to perform, in an effort to catalyse new artist growth and development. The venue’s audiences come from as far away as Portland, Oregon, and the California Bay Area.
Since starting at Hult Center, Weinkauf has favoured numerous DPA mics, including the 4060 and 4061 Miniature Omnidirectional, 6060 Subminiature Lavalier and 4099 Instrument Mics. ‘Durability is absolutely key to our business,’ he says. ‘The demanding conditions and daily use can prove difficult for some microphones, but DPA mics stand up to our day-to-day demands. That durability and reliability is extremely important to us.
‘The 4055 has not disappointed,’ he continues. ‘We had been using the previous industry kick drum mic but, once we introduced the 4055, we could hear an immediate difference. I can put it in a kick drum and hear the natural sound of the instrument – every boom and effect. The audio team reports that they feel like they actually hear the drum now, as opposed to an effect placed on the drum. This is especially rewarding when you have a great instrument, knowing you can hear its natural sound, and not the mic.’
Weinkauf says thes same results can be expected from the six 4099 Instrument Mics that the Hult Center uses, most prominently on two Steinway grand pianos. ‘I’ve always liked how transparent, natural and phase coherent DPA mics are,’ he says. ‘After we added the 6060s, we started looking for something to mic our grand pianos. We initially tried the most expensive mics and esoteric solutions from around the world, but nothing ever captured the piano and presented it in a way that felt natural. It was during this process that we came across the 4099s. As soon as we put them on the piano, we knew they were exactly what we were looking for.
‘They’re great multi-use microphones that we throw on almost anything, like guitars or violin, but we especially love it for piano. They’re easy to use, very ergonomic and fit in transparently, both visually and sonically. Our sound engineers have even told me that they use far less equalization and processing in general now that we have these mics. The 4099s are consistently true to what you’re miking.
‘When I reach for a DPA product, I know it’s going to sound like the instrument I’m miking,’ he adds. ‘I don’t have to do a lot of work to make it sound good, which makes for a nicer listening experience. After growing up running audio, I know what I’m going to reach for most of the time. DPA is the first microphone brand that I grab consistently. This is becoming even more prominent as we build out our mic locker at Hult Center.’
The Hult Center for the Performing Arts prides itself on strengthening and supporting the more than 700 artistic performances that come through the Oregon area each year. Throughout July, attendants can enjoy a series of shows from the Oregon Bach Festival, workshops and performances by the Missoula Children’s Theatre as well as comedic acts, such as those from comedian, writer, radio contributor and actor, Tig Notaro.
More: www.dpamicrophones.com
