Overhead mics for ambient pick up on the live stage

In a live situation when a conventional cardioid pattern isn’t quite open enough, choose a pair of 2015 Compact Wide Cardioids. They work ideally as overheads to capture a balanced sound of the entire group of instruments, like a drum kit. 
Also, when recording instrument groups with complex radiation patterns, the wide cardioid (also known as hemispheric, subcardioid or hypocardioid) design covers a greater sound angle and is an excellent choice.
 

Durable, reinforced construction

The 2015 is constructed to withstand rough handling on a hectic live stage. It has a thicker, more robust body construction of brass that is very durable and known for its corrosion resistance and tolerance against metal fatigue. In addition to the heavy-duty materials used, the surfaces of the mic handle and grille are treated with a protective black chrome finish, which ensures more graceful ageing.

Uniform cardioid directionality

The 2015 has a wide cardioid capsule with DPA’s famously flat off-axis response. Besides a high gain-before-feedback, this characteristic makes it easier for sound engineers to handle bleed from other instruments at close proximity. The 2015 picks up off-axis sounds in a very natural and attenuated way.  
 

Spacious, wide cardioid pick-up pattern

The 2015 can be positioned near the drum kit, closer than you would normally place overhead microphones, and still capture sound evenly across the entire drum kit. This closer position results in stronger signal from the drum kit and therefore less bleed from the stage.

Natural and precise sound reproduction

Like all other DPA microphones, the 2015 delivers pure, transparent sound quality.

Compact design for unobtrusive placement on stage

Although the 2015 can be purchased as a single mic, it really shines as a matched stereo pair, selected with +/- 1.5 dB sensitivity tolerance. The compact design of this stereo pair ensures an open, natural sound pick-up without blocking any of the exciting action on stage.

Specifications

Directional pattern: Wide cardioid

Principle of operation: Pressure gradient

Cartridge type: Pre-polarized condenser

Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz

Effective frequency range, ±2 dB, at 30 cm (11.8 in): 40 Hz to 18 kHz

Sensitivity, nominal, ±2 dB at 1 kHz: 12 mV/Pa; -37.7 dB re. 1 V/Pa

Equivalent noise level, A-weighted: Typ. 18 dB(A) re 20 µPa (max. 20 dB(A))

Distortion, THD < 1%: 147 dB SPL (150 dB SPL peak)

Dynamic range: Typ. 132 dB

Max. SPL, THD 10%

150 dB SPL (153 dB SPL peak)

Switchable attenuator, filters etc.-

Rated output impedance: 60 Ω

Minimum load impedance: 2 kΩ

Cable drive capability: 100 m (328 ft)

Output balance principle: Impedance balancing with Active Drive

Common mode rejection ratio (CMRR): > 60 dB

Power supply (for full performance): P48 (Phantom Power)

Current consumption: 0.7 mA

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

Color: Matte black: Weight: 83 g (2.9 oz)

Microphone diameter: 19 mm (0.75 in)

Capsule diameter: 17 mm (0.67 in)

Microphone length: 94 mm (3.7 in)

Maximum output voltage, RMS: 8.7 V (21 dBu)

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%

Sensitivity selection tolerance (at 1 kHz): ±1.5 dB

Phase deviation for kit