The DPA 4055 is a condenser microphone specifically designed for kick drums, delivering a perfect balance of precision and power. Traditionally, dynamic microphones are favoured for kick drums due to their ability to handle high SPLs, while condenser microphones are known for their greater sensitivity and detailed capture. The 4055 bridges this gap, combining condenser-like sensitivity with extreme SPL handling - a pioneering breakthrough for both studio and live applications. Featuring an innovative asymmetrical design, the microphone's capsule is offset from the connector barrel, allowing for easy positioning through drumhead ports with minimal risk of damage. The DPA 4055 excels not only on kick drums but also performs exceptionally well on other high-energy, bass-heavy instruments. Its linear frequency response allows users to shape their sound freely, either during recording or in post-production. Its rugged, compact build ensures reliable performance and longevity, even in the most demanding touring conditions.
The DPA 4055 features a 1.7cm capsule based on the pressure-gradient transducer principle, engineered to handle extreme sound pressure levels of up to 164dBSPL without distortion. With an effective frequency range of 40Hz to 10kHz, it delivers a solid low end and natural transient response, making it ideal for high-energy and transient-rich instruments. Its unique open-cardioid polar pattern is slightly wider than traditional cardioid designs, offering a natural low-end response and consistent tonal characteristics from different angles. DPA's proprietary Active Drive technology compensates for impedance at the microphone's output, maintaining signal integrity even under high SPL conditions. The 4055 requires 48V phantom power and is compatible with all mainstream professional audio interfaces and mixing consoles.
Although originally designed for kick drums, the DPA 4055 performs equally well on many bass-rich instruments. Its linear frequency response precisely captures the tonal characteristics of the source, allowing extensive sound treatment options in the studio, on stage, and during post-production. It has proven particularly popular for large-scale live shows, where its extended low-frequency response provides a full, powerful, and natural sound with minimal EQ adjustment. The microphone's versatility extends to bass and guitar amplifiers, as well as wind instruments, offering exceptional clarity and detail. A KE4055 transport case is included for safe storage and transport, while the UA0961 microphone holder provides flexible and stable positioning on any microphone stand.
The Danish manufacturer DPA emerged from the measurement microphone manufacturer Brüel & Kjaer, thus building upon six decades of experience from the start. It is no surprise, therefore, that many users today consider DPA microphones as the utmost reference in precise sound conversion and consistently high production quality. The microphones, hand-assembled in Denmark, are always calibrated several times before delivery ensure the highest standards of manufacture. DPA is also renowned for its discrete miniature microphones, inspired by hearing aid technology, and which offer a very natural sound. DPA microphones are very popular in the theatre and public events sectors.
The placement of the DPA 4055 significantly influences its sonic characteristics, providing flexibility and adaptability to diverse musical styles, settings, and performance requirements. Positioning it inside the kick drum, facing the beater, results in a sharp attack and well-defined transients, while placing it near the port accentuates low-end resonance. When used outside the kick drum, it captures a fuller, more natural sound with an extended bass response. The slightly wider pickup pattern ensures a natural balance across different mic placements, reducing the need for extensive post-processing. Whether used alone or in combination with other microphones, the DPA 4055 integrates seamlessly without phase issues, making it a highly adaptable solution for live and studio use.
Active Drive
Traditional microphones often rely on output transformers to balance the signal; however, these can introduce high-frequency losses and distortion. To overcome these challenges, DPA developed Active Drive, an advanced output stage circuit that ensures optimal impedance balancing without compromising signal integrity. This proprietary technology compensates for both the output and phantom power resistances, delivering zero output impedance while maintaining sufficient headroom for highly dynamic signals. As a result, the 4055 achieves an exceptionally clean and natural sound, capturing every nuance with remarkable accuracy - even under extreme sound pressure conditions.