DPA 4099-DP-2-201-D Instrument Condenser Microphone

DPA 4099 CORE+ Drum Microphone — Extreme SPL Handling for Stage and Studio

The DPA 4099-DP-2-201-D is a clip-on supercardioid condenser microphone engineered for close-miking drums, percussion, and other very loud instruments in demanding live and studio environments. Designed around DPA's CORE+ amplifier technology, this drum-specific variant of the 4099 series delivers distortion-free capture up to 152 dB SPL peak before clipping, making it a reliable choice for snare drums, toms, and other high-impact sources where conventional instrument microphones would overload. The 4099-DP-2-201-D is the right choice for drummers, live sound engineers, and studio producers who need a compact, mount-anywhere microphone that holds up under sustained high SPL while still preserving the natural voice of each drum.

What Sets This Drum Microphone Apart

Two design choices distinguish this model from standard instrument condensers. First, the integrated CORE+ amplifier suppresses distortion to levels that are virtually unmeasurable, replacing the earlier CORE technology that limited total harmonic distortion to under 1 percent — a meaningful upgrade when capturing aggressive rim shots and close-miked snare crack. Second, the included DP22D drum clip and flexible gooseneck, paired with the new G-MOUNT gooseneck locking mechanism, allow precise, repeatable capsule placement on the drum rim without slippage during performance. A yellow marking on the gooseneck identifies the Extreme SPL version at a glance, and the IP58 certification confirms resistance to dust and moisture in touring environments.

Polar Pattern and Isolation — Supercardioid for Focused Drum Capture

The supercardioid capsule is the heart of this microphone's ability to isolate a single drum within a busy kit. Its directional pickup rejects bleed from adjacent cymbals, toms, and overhead mics, while the linear off-axis response keeps the spill that does reach the capsule sounding natural rather than colored. For close-miking snare and toms in a multi-mic drum setup, this focused pattern translates directly into cleaner individual tracks and fewer phase problems at the mix bus.

• Polar Pattern: Supercardioid — tight front lobe for high gain before feedback and reduced stage bleed
• Off-axis Response: Linear — natural-sounding spill when present, no harsh coloration
• Common Mode Rejection: Greater than 60 dB from 50 Hz to 15 kHz — clean rejection of interference on long cable runs

SPL Handling and Dynamic Range — Built for Loud Sources

Drums generate some of the highest sound pressure levels on any stage, and the 4099-DP-2-201-D is rated to handle them. The microphone accepts up to 152 dB SPL peak before clipping and maintains a wide dynamic range that captures both subtle ghost notes and full-volume rim shots with equal clarity. CORE+ technology keeps total harmonic distortion below 0.5 percent at 135 dB SPL RMS, so even the loudest transients arrive at the mixer clean and ready for processing.

• Max SPL (peak before clipping): 152 dB — handles close-miked snare and toms without distortion
• Dynamic Range: 109 dB — captures the full expressive range of a drum performance
• THD: Less than 0.5 percent at 135 dB SPL RMS — clean signal even at extreme levels

Frequency Response and Sensitivity — Transparent Drum Tone

The 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency range covers the full spectrum of a drum kit, from the deep fundamental of a kick-adjacent floor tom to the high-frequency crack of a snare wire. Within that range, the effective response is tailored with a 2 dB soft boost between 10 and 12 kHz, which adds presence and articulation to drum attacks without sounding harsh. A sensitivity of 6 mV/Pa provides healthy output level for both console preamps and wireless belt-pack transmitters.

• Frequency Range: 20 Hz to 20 kHz — full-spectrum capture of drum fundamentals and overtones
• Effective Response: 80 Hz to 17 kHz (±2 dB at 20 cm) with a 2 dB soft boost at 10–12 kHz for added attack
• Sensitivity: 6 mV/Pa (-44 dB re 1 V/Pa) — strong output for wired and wireless configurations

Who This Microphone Is For

The 4099-DP-2-201-D is the right choice for touring drummers, live sound engineers, and recording professionals who need a compact, repeatable close-mic solution for snare drums, toms, and other very loud percussion in environments where conventional pencil condensers would distort or feedback. Its 152 dB SPL ceiling, supercardioid isolation, and rugged IP58-rated build make it equally at home on a festival stage, in a broadcast studio, or in a high-SPL recording session. The included XLR adapter and MicroLock-compatible wireless support also make it a strong fit for hybrid setups where the same mic moves between wired front-of-house and wireless monitor or broadcast feeds.

DPA Brand and 4099 Series Heritage

DPA Microphones, headquartered in Denmark, has built its reputation on miniature condenser technology used in studios, broadcast, and live sound worldwide. The 4099 instrument microphone series launched in 2008 with a versatile clip system that became a reference for close-miking acoustic instruments across genres. The current CORE+ generation represents a complete revamp of the original platform, delivering a 10 dB wider dynamic range and a 3 dB higher clipping point than the previous CORE technology, while introducing the MicroLock connector and the G-MOUNT gooseneck locking mechanism for faster, more stable setup on stage.