DPA 4099-B (Bass Mic w/Clip) Reviews

Sort By Date Sort By Rating

Customer Reviews

Amy Shook
from Washington, DC
July 26, 2011Music Background:
Pro Musician

Get one!

As an acoustic bass player, sound and feel are paramount. Oftentimes, even with the best transducer pickups and amplification, all the time you spend developing "your sound", acoustically, on the instrument, doesn't come through the unavoidable perversion of electronics, especially if you need more volume. Enter the DPA 4099-B bass mic! The search for a transparent-sounding, true-to-life, high-gain microphone for live performance stops here with this microphone. If you want the natural, beautiful sound of the bass, only louder, get this microphone! I've been using it in live performances now for a month, often set up very close to drums, and have had no issues with gain, indiscernible bleed, and the great thing is how it attaches to the instrument. The fact it can be positioned at the "sweet spot" sonically is great, and the fact that you don't have to constantly try to stay positioned in front of a stationary microphone is fabulous! Also, when bowing, you don't have to worry about hitting the microphone, and the arco sound reproduction is excellent, because it's YOUR SOUND. When I am not getting phantom power off a board, I use the Headway EDB-1 acoustic preamp with a powered PA speaker, and the sound is excellent. You won't get the full output because you only get 18v instead of 48v, but for a small jazz club, etc. you won't miss it. I would definitely recommend this microphone to any acoustic bass player who wants the natural sound of their bass, only louder. I would definitely buy the DPA 4099-B again! Thanks, Sweetwater for GREAT customer service, and FAST FREE shipping!

Kevin Rose
from Savannah, GA
April 16, 2012Music Background:
Engineer/producer

DPA 4099-B and more

After battling upright bass on remote gigs for years I decided to plunk down the coin for the 4099-B and was not disappointed. I've had great luck with DPA 4011s, 4061s and other DPA models but this mic solved the age old issue of capturing upright bass on a small stage, without so much horrible sounding bleed that you have to neuter the sound into a woofy mess. The mic clip also eliminates the wandering bassists ability to get away from the mic and lets the artist focus on the performance.
The mic sounds great, it's neutral and although it's a great tool it's not always my first choice but in those instances (which are more the norm) where you need natural and have to eliminate some extraneous bleed this is a priceless tool.

Sascha Jaocbsen
from San Francisco, CA
June 29, 2011Music Background:
Bassist, Composer, Band Leader

A great way to mic my bass.

The DPA 4099-B is perfect for getting my sound out to the front of house PA. I am finally able to have my arco solos come out in the mix. Also, any percussive effects are there, which my Realist pick-up doesn't get at all. The sound of the low end is rich and full. It can be used in conjunction with a pick-up or just by itself. You do have to worry about feedback (with any mic) but the sound is so much better than any pick-up. When I have a melody up in thumb position, it really sounds great and I know it is being heard. It is easy to install, and I just clip the XLR cable to my Quiver. I am super happy with this mic, and will recommend it to other musicians.