DPA 2011A

A DPA "Reference Standard" Designed for Live Use, Following the Legacy of the 4011

The DPA 2011A shares the sonic DNA and design philosophy that made the DPA 4011 renowned, a staple for its linearity and performance in close-miking. While the 4011 is recognized for its exemplary neutrality across a wide variety of setups, the 2011 adopts a more "stage-oriented" approach: its off-axis frequency response remains linear but over a narrower band. The result: better focus, clearer instrument separation on a busy stage, and increased comfort as volume rises.

Part of the DPA Reference Standard range, the 2011A aims for professional versatility: a cardioid microphone capable of handling high sound pressure levels, reliable over time, and precise enough for demanding concert, broadcast, or live recording applications.

Who Is It For and What Are Its Uses?

The DPA 2011A is intended for sound engineers, stage technicians, and studios seeking a cardioid condenser microphone focused on stage performance without compromising fidelity. Its controlled off-axis behavior and excellent gain before feedback make it particularly suitable for environments where spill, stage monitors, and proximity between sources are daily challenges.

It performs well in many applications: close-miking, acoustic instruments, amplifiers, percussion, and any situation where detailed sound is desired while maintaining effective directivity. Its design favors simple placement and stable sound, speeding up soundchecks and securing sound reinforcement in real-world conditions.

Twin Diaphragm Technology, Off-Axis Control, and DPA Modularity

A Dual-Membrane Capsule for Precise and Stable Capture

The DPA 2011A features a Twin Diaphragm capsule with dual pre-polarized membranes, engineered to combine precision, consistency, and durability. This architecture helps maintain reliable stage performance, with a clean sound image and a response that remains clear even when the microphone is not perfectly "on-axis" with the source.

Stage-Oriented Voicing: Separation and Gain Before Feedback

Compared to the very broadband approach of the 4011, the 2011 emphasizes off-axis linearity concentrated over a narrower range, resulting in better source separation and higher gain before feedback. In practice, this facilitates equalization, improves stability with monitors, and makes the microphone easier to control in dense environments.

MMP-A Preamplifier and Tool-Free Upgradability

The 2011A version comes with the MMP-A preamplifier, focused on audiophile reproduction, known for its low distortion and high fidelity. Note: the 2011C version (with the compact MMP-C preamp) offers a slightly different tonal balance, with a somewhat more pronounced low end, while facilitating placement thanks to a shorter format. One of the major strengths of this system is its modularity: capsule and preamp can be combined and swapped at any time, without tools, to adapt the configuration according to stage or studio needs.

Technical specifications