DPA d:facto II Users Manual

User’s manual

d:facto™

d:facto™ II Vocal Microphone

d:facto™ II Handle

d:facto™ II Adapters for Wireless Systems

www.dpamicrophones.com/dfacto

Application and use

The DPA d:facto™ II vocal mic is a high quality stage microphone
with extraordinary natural sound, high separation from nearby sound
sources and extreme sound level handling.

It is a dedicated vocal stage mic with exceptionally controlled direc­tional quality. Combined with superb definition, true dynamics and
sound color, the d:facto II is equally suitable for PA amplification and
recording. The integrated 3-step pop protection grid eectively re­moves unwanted noise.

d:facto II ships with our standard recommendation, the supercardioid
MMC4018V capsule, but due to the d:facto II’s modular design, many
variants of DPA d:dicate capsules are available.

Furthermore, the d:facto II oers brilliant flexibility in choices of either
a P48 phantom powered DPA handle for wired use or adapters to
utilize the microphone head with various professional wireless bodies.

Proximity eect

The DPA d:facto II vocal mic is designed primarily as a handheld vocal
microphone and the frequency response is tailored to match this
application. At short distances all directional microphones will create
a bass level boost. This phenomenon is known as proximity eect or
close-talk, and will give a bigger, more powerful sound at short dis­tances, but needs to be controlled in order to avoid a boomy sound.

Keep in mind that the low-frequency level will change according to
the distance to the mouth, but be assured that the microphone has
been designed and factory fine-tuned to match this use. Also, to
avoid acoustic distortion from your lips, keep a distance of about 2
cm (1 in) from the microphone head’s mesh.

Miking and recording voice

When using microphones it is important to know some of the pa­rameters characterizing the source you are recording, its surround­ings and the characteristics of the tools you use to record it. For
tips and background info on voice miking, please visit www.dpamicro­phones.com/applicationguide.

Wired to wireless

The d:facto II vocal microphone can be used both wired and wireless with full flex­ibility. The microphone grid, the microphone capsule and the preamp (as either a
DPA adapter to 3rd party wireless bodies or the DPA Handle for wired use) are
all separate components.

d:factoTM – overview

d:facto II Vocal Microphone

Order number: FA4018VDPAB

d:facto II Handle

For 48 V phantom

Order number: FAADPA2B

Assembly guide

In the wired version, the grid and capsule can be unscrewed from the
handle and exchanged with a variety of adapters to fit professional
3rd party wireless bodies. In wireless versions, the grid and capsule
can be unscrewed from the adapter and exchanged with the DPA
Handle for wired use.

1. Unscrew the outer grid.

d:facto II Wireless SL1

(for Shure/Sony/Lectrosonics)
Order number: FA4018VSL1B

d:facto II Wireless SE2-ew

(for Sennheiser 2000/9000/evolution wireless)

Order number: FA4018VSE2-ewB

d:facto II Wireless SE5

(for Sennheiser 5000)

Order number: FA4018VSE5B

d:facto II Wireless WI2

(for Wisycom)

Order number: FA4018VWI2B

d:facto II Microphone Grid

Order number: DUA0710

Microphone Capsule for Vocal,

Supercardioid

Order number: MMC4018V

d:facto II SL1 Adapter

for Shure, Sony, Lectrosonics

Order number: FAASL1B

d:facto II SE2-ew Adapter

for Sennheiser 2000, 9000 and evolution wireless

Order number: FAASE2-ewB

d:facto II SE5 Adapter

for Sennheiser 5000

Order number: FAASE5B

d:facto II WI2 Adapter

for Wisycom

Order number: FAAWI2B

2. Unscrew the capsule from either adapter or handle.
Don’t try to unscrew at the base below the capsule.

3. Attach the selected capsule to either the DPA Handle for wired
use or a DPA adapter for a 3rd party wireless body.

Please note that all electric and acoustic specifications apply to the
wired DPA Handle unless otherwise stated. The DPA Handle is de­signed with a permanent 3rd order low-cut filter (-3 dB at 80 Hz) to
remove unwanted handling, pop and wind noise.

Directionality

The recommended capsule for d:facto II is the MMC4018V, optimiz­ing the performance of the d:facto II to close miking vocal on stage.
The result is an applicable opening angle around the center axis as
wide as a cardioid with its maximum 3dB attenuation at ± 60°. This
means that a pleasant tolerance around the center axis is obtained
for the singer, whereas the rear rejection is as high as – or higher –
than other supercardioids. The rear lobe opening normally seen on
supercardioids at 180° angle is extremely uniform and controlled.

The MMC4018V has roughly 8 dB attenuation at 90 degrees and
has its highest rejection at approximately ±140 degrees o-axis. The
gain-to-feedback ratio is extremely high due to the controlled rear
attenuation, which is carried out between 120° and 240° o-axis in a
wide and uniform frequency range. No frequency is less than 12 dB
attenuated in this area, most frequencies are attenuated 15-30 dB.
No extra care is needed with regards to angling the microphone to
stage monitors, as long as they project to the rear of the d:facto II.

To gain full flexibility of your d:facto II, more MMC modular capsules
are available, but only the MMC4018V has been tweaked for close
vocal use with lowered sensitivity and application tailored low fre­quency response.

Grid and windscreen

The d:facto II has a very eective 3-step pop protection grid incorpo­rated that eectively removes unwanted pop noise. When used out­doors or with performing artists with pronounced wind or pop noise,
use the optional foam windscreen.

Phantom power

The d:facto II is a condenser microphone and will, when used on the
wired DPA Handle, need 48V phantom power from the mixing console
or from an external power supply unit. Mute the channel on the console
before supplying phantom power to avoid the crackling noise.

When using the d:facto II with adapters for wireless systems, power will
be supplied from batteries in the wireless transmitter handle.

Cleaning

Keep the microphone dry and away from exposure to water and cleaning
fluids. Do not use spray or fluid containing chemicals that could remove
static electricity on or close to the microphone. This could cause perma­nent damage.

To clean the grid properly without the risk of causing damage to the cap­sule, you have to unscrew it from the microphone body, see page 5. Be
aware that the microphone capsule itself not in any way should be cleaned,
as it will influence the performance of the microphone.

The grid consists of three parts; the outer black metal mesh, a foam wind­screen and an inner, cylindrical pop filter. First pull out the filter with finger
torque only from the brass ring underneath. This reveals the foam part
that can also be taken out. All three parts may now be cleaned separately.
When remounting, take care to tighten the grid firmly, which secures the
inner filter properly.

Accessories included

DUA0715 Clip for d:facto II Vocal Microphone

Accessories available

DUA0702 d:facto II Windscreen
DUA0710 d:facto II Microphone Grid, Complete Assembly
DUA0711 d:facto II Pop Filter
DUA0712 d:facto II Foam Protection
DUA0713 d:facto II Microphone Grid (Metal Only)

Modular Microphone Capsules

MMC4018V Modular Microphone Capsule, Supercardioid for Vocal

Modular Microphone Preamp

FAADPA2B d:facto II DPA Handle

Adapters

FAASL1B d:facto II Adapter SL1 (Shure/Sony/Lectrosonics)
FAAWI2B d:facto II Adapter WI2 (Wisycom)
FAASE2-ewB d:facto II Adapter SE2-ew (Sennheiser 2000/9000/
evolution wireless)
FAASE5B d:facto II Adapter SE5 (Sennheiser 5000)

Specifications

With wired DPA Handle

Directional pattern

MMC4018V: Supercardioid

Principle of operation

Pressure gradient

Cartridge type

Pre-polarized condenser

Frequency range

20 Hz - 20 kHz

Frequency range, ± 2 dB, at 12 cm (4.7 in)

100 Hz - 16 kHz with 3 dB soft boost at 12 kHz.
Permanent 3rd order low-cut filter (-3 dB at 80 Hz)

Sensitivity, nominal, ± 2 dB at 1 kHz

5 mV/Pa; -46 dB re. 1 V/Pa

Equivalent noise level, A-weighted

Typ. 19 dB(A) re. 20 µPa (max. 21 dB(A))

S/N ratio (A-weighted), re. 1 kHz at 1 Pa (94 dB SPL)

Typ. 75 dB(A)

Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)

< 1 % up to 139 dB SPL peak

Dynamic range

Typ. 120 dB

Max. SPL, peak before clipping

160 dB

Output impedance

100 Ω

Minimum load impedance

1 kΩ

Cable drive capability

10

04

Frequency response

100 m (328 ft)

Output balance principle

Impedance balancing with Active Drive

Common Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR)

> 50 dB at 1 kHz

Power supply (for full specifications)

48 V Phantom power (± 4 V)

Current consumption

Max 2 mA

Connector

XLR-3M. Pin 1: shield, Pin 2: signal + phase, Pin 3: - phase

Color

Matte black

Weight

309 g (10.9 oz)

Microphone diameter

52 mm (2.0 in)

Capsule diameter

19 mm (0.75 in)

Microphone length

205 mm (8.1 in)

Output voltage, RMS

> 6 V

Polarity

+V at pin 2 for positive sound pressure

Temperature range

-40 °C to 45 °C (-40 °F to 113 °F)

Relative Humidity (RH)

Up to 90%

Polar Pattern

5 dB

16 kHz

1 kHz

2 kHz

4 kHz

8 kHz

250 Hz

500 Hz

Directional characteristics of d:facto II Vocal Microphone.

Frequency Response

0

-10

dB

-20

-30
20 Hz 50 100 200 500 1 kHz2 5102

Measured at 12 cm (4.7 in)

Typical frequency responses of d:facto II Vocal Microphone.

0

30

60

90

140

0

Service & repair

If you are not satised with the characteristics exhibited by this product, please go to www.dpamicrophones.com/service for instructions.

dpi-dfactoII-m

Head Office

DPA Microphones A/S

Gydevang 42-44

DK-3450 Alleroed, Denmark

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

[e-mail]

www.dpamicrophones.com

US Sales Office

DPA Microphones, Inc.

1500 Kansas Avenue, Unit 3 A-D

Longmont, Colorado 80504

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

[e-mail]

www.dpamicrophones.com

www.dpamicrophones.com/dfacto

APAC Sales Office

DPA Microphones Ltd.

Unit 801-2, 8/F, Asia Orient Tower

33 Lockhart Road, Wanchai

Hong Kong

[e-mail]

www.dpamicrophones.com