Featuring a durable, reinforced construction to withstand the rigors of touring, the new mics join the brand’s esteemed line of pencil mics and offer DPA’s renowned natural and precise sound reproduction.
“We are so pleased to share these new solutions for sound professionals in the music industry,” says Helga Volha Somava, Product Management Director, DPA Microphones. “The 2012 Cardioid and 2015 Wide Cardioid continue to build upon our other live microphone solutions, offering the same natural sound quality that people know, love, and trust, with sonic and physical properties specifically designed to meet the needs of the live stage. Thanks to the superior SPL handling and excellent transient response, these microphones will serve as versatile and durable solutions for audio professionals everywhere.”
The 2012 Compact Cardioid Microphone acts as a reliable, all-around, generalist pencil mic that performs well on any instrument. This mic combines a robust design with intricate sound pickup for accurate close miking on any stage setup. From horns and percussion to acoustic or electric guitars, bass cabinets, and more, the 2012 can capture crystal clear, single-instrument pickup with ease. Unlike the dynamic mics frequently used for close miking applications, the 2012 features an extended frequency range and flat frequency response in a small-form factor. The 2012’s unmatched transient response also allows it to cope with high SPLs while being able to capture the most delicate of sounds.
While the 2012 excels at single instrument pickup, the 2015 Compact Wide CardioidMicrophone performs best as a stereo pair on drum kits and instrument groups. Featuring uniform, wide cardioid directionality, and a linear frequency response, a selected pair of 2015mics offers spacious sound for horn groups, vibraphones, xylophones, and other large instruments. When closely positioned, the mics are also ideal for large grand pianos or for use as overheads for drum kits. This stereo pair can capture balanced sound of the entire instrument with less bleed from the stage. Additionally, the compact design of the 2015 allows for unobtrusive placement at venues of any size, while its durable, reinforced construction means itwill last from stage to stage.
Both solutions are pre-polarized condenser mics, each with a specifically designed 17mm (0.67-inch) capsule that is perfectly tailored for its intended application. Like most DPA mics, the 2012 and 2015 come in a practical zip pouch, along with a microphone holder and windscreen.
Additional accessories such as a stereo boom, gooseneck mount, and corresponding shock mounts are also available.
Pricing for the 2012 Cardioid Microphone begins at $849 USD, while a stereo pair of 2015 WideCardioid Microphones starts at $1,595 USD. Prices exclude local tax.
For more information, please visit dpamicrophones.com.
Shubb C8b Partial Capo for Drop-D Tuning - Brass
The C8 covers five of the six strings, leaving either the low E or high E string open, depending on how it's positioned.
- Standard setup: Placed on the 2nd fret while leaving the low E string open, it simulates Drop D-style sounds—except you're still in standard tuning (key of E). You get that big, droning bass feel without retuning.
- Reverse setup: Flipping the capo allows the high E string to ring, giving you shimmering drones and new melodic options across familiar chord shapes.
- A flexible tool that lets you simulate alternate tunings and create rich sonic textures—all while keeping your guitar in standard tuning.
Shubb C7b Partial Capo for DADGAD Tuning - Brass
The C7 covers three of the six strings—either D, G, and B or A, D, and G—depending on how it's flipped.
- Typical setup (D, G, B): Creates an open A chord shape at the 2nd fret without needing your fingers. This frees you up for new voicings and droning notes in the key of A.
- Reversed setup (A, D, G): Gets you close to a DADGAD-style tuning vibe, but still keeps you in standard tuning—great for modal, spacious textures often found in folk or cinematic guitar parts.
Use it alone or stack it with the C8 for wild, layered effects and truly out-of-the-box inspiration.
