FOH engineer Graham Pattison introduced DPA’s d:facto II into the equipment line-up during David Gray’s recent Sounding Out tour of Ireland.

“I’ve been a fan of DPA microphones for some time because they deliver such great sound quality,” Pattison says. “However, this was the first time I’d had the opportunity to use the new d:facto II Vocal Microphone and I was really impressed with the results we achieved. Right from the first syllable in rehearsals I knew we were onto a winner, but it wasn’t until the first show in Ireland a few days later that I really heard the vocal clarity and exceptional quality through a large venue sound system. There were no gain or feedback issues, and even when left with a flat EQ it sounded exactly how I’m used to hearing David’s voice. The EQ I did end up using was just to help the vocal sit in well with the instrumentation.”

Pattison adds that Gray didn’t question why his microphone had been changed.

“He trusted my judgment and his own ears,” he explains. “During the two week tour we played 11 shows, and did a live streamed and filmed ‘other voices’ show and a live on air RTE radio show. Everyone was coming back to me with very positive feedback about the sound in general as well as his vocal performance.”

Pattison says that DPA microphones are now standard on all the tours he engineers.

"I did three tours last year, all with DPA, and I didn’t have any microphone failures," he says. "Even the miniature cardioid microphone I’ve been using on David’s pump harmonium is still going strong. The build quality, particularly of the d:dicate 4011 Recording Microphones, is fantastic and no matter where in the world I ship them, they always withstand the rigours of freighting and come out of their boxes working perfectly every time.

"With an ever increasing vocal choir, I am now looking forward to getting my hands on some more DPA d:facto Vocal Microphones. With those, and the d:vote 4099 drum microphones, DPA will certainly be getting a good run in."

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