DPA | d:facto 4018VL SL1 | Linear | Handheld Vocal Supercardioid Microphone | for Shure & Sony Wireless | dFacto DPA

Engineered especially for vocal performances onstage, the d:facto™ holds a supercardioid capsule that is designed to reproduce every nuance of the human voice transparently, consistently and thrillingly. There are two versions available. The d:facto™ Linear Vocal Microphone (4018VL) is extremely linear. The d:facto™ Vocal Microphone (4018V) is linear but with a high-end boost. The 4018V  is often chosen because it  ‘cuts through’ on a broadcasting set, where the content typically ends up transmitted to built-in television speakers with limited audio quality.

Besides the linearity / boost, these mics are identical. Both feature an isolation-optimized supercardioid polar pattern. This directional characteristic offers the best of two worlds –  from cardioid and supercardioid patterns. These mics can handle loud vocals with three-step pop-protection grid and best-in-class low handling noise. They also offer excellent sonic reproduction with all the detail and balanced linear phase and frequency response users have grown to trust for DPA Microphones.
 

Optimized for live performance

d:facto™ Vocal Microphones are the ultimate stage mics – no matter if the performance is taking place in a  cozy club or the largest concert hall.

Like traditional supercardioid mics, the d:facto™ series enjoys high side- and rear rejection with a minimum of 9 dB attenuation to the sides. Yet it is not bound by the less desirable aspects of the supercardioid like the uncontrolled and nonlinear rear lobes, which can create feedback from stage wedges, because there is a sudden high frequency peak at the backside of the mic.

The d:facto™ series has a wider acceptance angle at the front of the mic than most supercardioids. The acceptance angle is identical to a first-order cardioid at ±60 degrees off-center, resulting in the same work field as a cardioid — just with extremely high and uniform side and rear damping.
 

Linear or with a high-end boost?

When you choose your d:facto™ Vocal Microphone, you get to choose the microphone that best meets your need. An extremely linear version of the d:facto™ Vocal Microphone is engineered specifically for audio engineers who prefer setting their own unique impression on the final sound. A version with a pre-programmed high-end boost has a 3 dB soft boost at 12 kHz.

Both versions of the d:facto™ are designed to capture electrifying live performances and accurately replicate a singer’s voice transparently, consistently and thrillingly. These mics are optimized for use in sound reinforcement as well as recording applications. They offer natural sound, high separation from nearby sound sources and SPL handling up to 160 dB.

A bit about supercardioids

A supercardioid microphone is similar to a cardioid – it is most sensitive to sound coming in at the front and is least sensitive at the back. Supercardioid mics tend to have a much narrower angle of sensitivity – making them even more focused than a “normal” cardioid mic. This off-axis sound will be more or less colored and damped – and, due to the narrow angle of focus, the area of damped sound is increased significantly. 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.

Due to their nature, supercardioid 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 supercardioid mics is the proximity effect, which causes an increase in bass response the closer the microphone is moved to the sound source. Also, supercardioid mics are far more sensitive to wind, pop and handling noises than omni mics, so be sure to take precautions to guard against this.