Bluegrass Group Relies on DPA d:vote and d:fine Mics for Pure Sound and a Completely Wireless Experience
NASHVILLE, OCTOBER 23, 2012 – Whenever the Darrell Webb Band bluegrass group performs live, it’s sure to be a raucous, high-energy set. While Webb belts out songs and plays the mandolin, his band mates’ strum their instruments at a frenetic pace around him. To keep this momentum going, the band employs DPA Microphones d:vote™ 4099 instrument microphones and d:fine™ headset microphones, allowing its members to go full throttle during shows, without the hindrance of bulky gear while providing superior sound quality.
Webb was the first member of the band to use DPA microphones, having employed them since the band formed three years ago. Last year, he and the rest of the group began using the d:vote 4099s for each of the instruments played in the group. Impressed with the level of precision of the audio, the band members soon added the d:fine headset mics to their mix. The band members chose to have all microphones arranged in a wireless setup, which gives them the flexibility of movement and ability to put on lively performances that are typically associated with a bluegrass band.
“The d:vote and d:fine mics give us the complete freedom to do whatever we feel like doing on stage, including walking out to the crowd if we want to,” says Jeremy Arrowood, the bass player for the Darrell Webb Band. “The clarity of the mics has also stepped our musicianship up, allowing the personality of our instruments to really show through. You just can’t beat the sound. We’ve received so many compliments on the sound of our instruments; it’s just a great feather in our cap. Now, when we perform at venues that don’t have the ability to support our DPAs, it feels like torture.”
Based on DPA’s award-winning 4099 series, the d:vote 4099 instrument microphones feature supercardioid polar patterns for highly uniform off-axis frequency response and superior gain-before-feedback. Capable of handling high sound pressure levels these microphones live up to DPA’s pedigree of breathtaking clarity and natural sounding richness. Capable of accurately capturing the true voice of acoustic instruments, all d:vote 4099 condenser microphones reject unwanted noise and the enhanced shock-mount design and extendable gooseneck provides stable positioning. The additional option of detachable cables in varying lengths, make the d:vote highly flexible for all live performance applications. The mics can easily be unclipped and repositioned or moved to another instrument with only one hand. d:vote’s microphone mounting system is designed to be extremely gentle, never marring the finish of an instrument.
Despite its tiny, discreet size and lightweight design, the DPA d:fine is rugged and stable, while still being versatile. The line of headset microphones combines absolute pristine audio quality with unique and simple mechanical solutions alongside an extensive accessory line. Ergonomically designed to adjust to fit the user’s ear and head easily and seamlessly, it also mounts securely, with minimal visibility. The microphone is available in several colors as omnidirectional or directional and in single- or dual-ear varieties
The Darrell Webb Band performs traditional bluegrass music in the vein of Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley, Dierks Bentley, Doyle Lawson and Ken Mellons, among other greats. Known for its electrifying sets and the high-tenor vocals of Webb, the band features Webb as the lead vocalist and mandolin player, Arrowood on bass, Jared Hensley singing baritone and playing guitar, Jake Joins on the Dobro resonator guitar and Chris Wade on banjo. Webb is famous for his version of the Stanley Brothers tune, “Little Maggie,” which can be found on his “Live at Bellamys CD” as well as “Smash Hits of Bluegrass Vol. 1.”
The group was nominated for the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Emerging Artist of the Year Award and will soon release a new album, titled “Breaking Down the Barriers,” on which it used the DPA microphones. It also used the microphones during performances recorded to DVD, planned for upcoming release.
The band’s IBMA performances include the Rhythm Showcase on Tuesday, September 25 at 7 p.m. at the Earnest Tub Record Shop, the Darrell Webb Band Showcase and CD Launch on Wednesday, September 16 at 11:30 p.m. at the Grand Master Fiddle Championship and an appearance at FanFest on Saturday, September 28 at 3:15 p.m.
ABOUT DPA:
DPA Microphones A/S is the leading Danish Professional Audio manufacturer of high quality condenser microphones and microphone solutions for professional applications in studio, broadcast, theatre, video/film and sound reinforcement environments. All DPA microphones and components are manufactured at the company’s purpose-built factory in Denmark.
For more information on DPA Microphones, please visit www.dpamicrophones.com.
