Sometimes all you've got to do is ask. According to CEO Christian Poulson, customers had been asking the company for a roadworthy vocal mic to complement the other DPA instrument and specialty mics they relied upon. Their requests led to an intensive development project, culminating in the d:facto II vocal microphone.
Released toward the end of 2012 after a series of field trials, the d:facto II is a high-performance, supercardioid condenser microphone optimized for live sound reinforcement vocal use. A unique modular design allows the same mic element to be used for both wired and wireless applications. Its excellent audio quality and transient response makes the mic useful for recording, as well.
Microphone features
The d:facto II vocal mic is a well-sculpted design, substantial in feel without being overly heavy. The smooth matte finish doesn’t catch the fingers, so it is quiet with movement. The handle widens more acutely about midway toward the mic head, which helps locate the hand into an ideal, balanced position about an inch or so below the bottom of the grille screen.
The mic head is somewhat elongated, projecting about a ¾ inch beyond the tip of the internal microphone element—likely contributing to the lessened proximity effect, even when used lips-touching. The thread-on grille screen consists of three layers: woven, hardened wire on the outside, an extremely fine mesh inner screen made of what appears to be stainless steel enclosing the inner air space around the mic element, and an acoustic foam windscreen sandwiched in between.The d:facto II has a fairly tight, supercardioid polar response pattern, so is most consistent in level and frequency response from directly in front to an angle of 45 degrees or so off-axis. Frequency response is nominally 20 Hz to 20 kHz, and the specifications at a little under five inches (12 cm) away from the mic are 100 Hz to 16 kHz, +/-2 dB—along with a presence peak described as a “3-dB soft boost at 12 kHz.”
Being designed for vocal applications, the mic has an integral low-cut filter below the typical voice range, down 3 dB at 80 Hz; this filter helps to minimize stage rumble, wind noise, and other non-vocal pickup. It handles very high SPL without distortion, up to 160 dB.
As it is a condenser mic, the d:facto II requires 48V phantom power (within +/-4 volts) from the mixing console to meet its specified audio performance. When using the microphone head on a wireless transmitter, make sure that the transmitter is designed supply power to condenser mic elements; the electronics in DPA’s wireless adaptor will step up the available voltage to the correct level.
Developing the DPA d:facto II
Founded in 1992, DPA is an offshoot of the venerable Danish microphone company B&K—renowned for its measurement and test mics. Adhering to the same high design standards, the company developed microphones for musical instrument reinforcement, including miniature mics widely used for piano, guitar, bowed instruments, woodwinds and brass, as well as headset and lavalier mics.
A unique modular design allows the same mic element to be used for both wired and wireless applications.
The genesis of the d:facto II vocal mic began when live sound engineers who were using DPA 4011 pencil condenser mics on various instruments experimented with them on vocals, and liked the result. These microphones were known for their neutral audio quality and accuracy, with flat frequency response and consistent phase and off-axis response across all frequencies.
The engineering team chose a well-respected handheld condenser from another European manufacturer as their standard to meet or exceed in sound quality, feedback resistance, and other performance characteristics. Considerable research went into the development of an effective yet transparent pop/wind filter, and into damping material to minimize handling noise.
Adapting to wireless
Making the d:facto II microphone simultaneously available in a wired and wireless format was part of the development plan from the beginning. The result is a modular system that threads together, consisting of the mic element, grille screen, mic handle, and wireless adapter.
Other microphone manufacturers provide a standard wired version of particular handheld microphone models, and separately sell versions for wireless that can be threaded onto a wireless transmitter. If you desire to use that microphone model in a wired application one day, and make it wireless another day, it is necessary to purchase both versions. When the microphone is a premium-quality condenser, this method can become expensive.
DPA approached the project in a unique way, such that an owner of the wired version could convert back and forth to a wireless application—or vice versa—with a relatively modest additional investment. By simply removing the grille screen, unthreading the mic element from the wired mic handle, and threading it onto the wireless adapter, you have completed the conversion—in well under 30 seconds.
To connect to the modular electronics section of the mic handle (or the wireless adapter), a spring-loaded, gold-plated center pin in the adapter makes contact with a gold-plated contact in the mic element, and the surrounding surfaces make the additional contact. The connection part of the handle or adapter “floats” on a ring of damping material that absorbs impacts so as not to transfer them to the microphone.
Four versions of wireless adapters are available. The concentric ring-style adapter functions with Shure, Sony, Lectrosonics, and several other wireless brands. Others will fit Sennheiser and Wisycom wireless systems.
Testing the d:facto II
In an initial small-room test, using a portable mixer with the EQ set flat and a 12-inch, two-way speaker, the d:facto II sounded smooth through the midrange with quite apparent high-frequency response to lip smacks and consonants. The proximity effect at lips-touching distance was less apparent than I have experienced with most dynamic and many condenser handhelds; at that distance it seemed not quite as warm yet more present and distinct than my comparison condenser. Moving back to about 2 ½ inches, and setting the levels equal, the audio quality was very close between the two.
The frequency response on-axis and up to about 50 degrees off-axis was quite consistent, as was the level, so the mic user can have some freedom of movement without altering the character of the sound. After that point, the level diminished considerably, with less high-frequency content. At the rear of the mic, the level was substantially diminished; even when moved quite close to the speaker, it didn’t emit feedback.
Handling noise is very well controlled. The smooth surface allows the hand to glide almost noiselessly, and even a strong grip and rub along the handle is barely amplified. Also, the density of the handle seems to exhibit a lower resonant frequency, so that ring clicks are more like a soft thud rather than a distinct click.
Moving into a sanctuary with a central speaker cluster above and just in front of the stage, it was easy to achieve more than sufficient levels for spoken word or lead vocals without feedback, even in a particular location under the speakers where the angle of the ceiling often creates a feedback-prone zone. EQ was set flat for the test, and the sound engineer complimented the neutral, intelligible character of the audio response.
The modest proximity effect at close distances maintained the clarity of the overall response while adding a bit more warmth to the vocals. The mic appears to be optimized for use from lips-touching to around 2 ½ to 3 inches from the head.
Final thoughts
When you are looking for a high quality, sonically accurate handheld condenser microphone for lead vocals or spoken word applications, the d:facto II should be on your short list. Its combination of audio quality, feedback and handling noise resistance, and flexibility to go between wired and wireless applications make it a good value. And DPA backs it with a five-year warranty.
The DPA d:facto II vocal microphone is priced at $899.95 for either the wired or wireless version. For wired or wireless conversion, the mic handle adaptor or wireless adaptor is $249.95.
