Engineer, technical director and album coordinator for the GRAMMY® Award-winner relies on a variety of d:dicate mics to heighten the sound of Keys’ instruments at Jungle City Studios and during her Set the World on Fire tour
NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 20, 2013 – Anyone who has heard a recent Alicia Keys song, or has attended one of her live concerts during her Set the World on Fire Tour, has experienced the sound of a DPA d:dicate™ Recording Microphone. That’s because engineer Ann Mincieli, who is Keys’ studio technical director and album coordinator and helps with tour programming, uses DPA mics to supply a versatile and pristine sound for Keys’ piano on the road and during studio sessions at Mincieli’s Jungle City Studios in New York.
Among Mincieli’s DPA collection are several 4023 Compact Cardioid Microphones, as well as the 4011A Cardioid Microphone and 4006 Omnidirectional Microphone. “I first started using DPA Microphones because they are really low profile and sound incredible,” says Mincieli. “With the live show kit for the 4023 microphones, I’m able to get an incredible piano tone with the lid closed, which allows me to hide the cables. I sometimes use the 4011s on acoustic guitars, but they’re my choice microphones for recording Alicia’s piano. All of the company’s microphones sound incredible and are really versatile.”
First introduced to DPA Microphones by Eli Ward, Production Manager on Keys’ last tour, which was entirely acoustic, Mincieli found the 4023 Compact Cardioid Microphone to be just the element she needed to bring out the best sound of the musician’s piano.
“When I first heard the microphones, I was just blown away,” continues Mincieli. “We had been experimenting with a few other mics and I just knew the DPA 4023s were the perfect fit. They’re versatile mics that can transition from the stage to promo events to the studio. The 4023s are especially incredible microphones that really fill the void left by other products on the market. Many people will forgo trying to perfect the musician’s sound and will start using a module because they don’t have the right microphones. The 4023s provide a really beautiful, warm tone and a low profile that makes it easier for production crew members to incorporate them unobtrusively into the visual aesthetics needed for a set.”
The engineer also expressed interest in trying out some of DPA’s latest microphone options, including the d:vote™ 4099 Instrument Microphones and d:facto™ Vocal Microphone, for future performances.
With more than 20 years of experience in the music business, Mincieli has travelled the world engineering for some of the industry’s most renowned artists, including Jay-Z, Jennifer Hudson and Whitney Houston. In addition to her work as an engineer, Mincieli is the founder of Jungle City Studios, where she draws upon her extensive background to offer clients a premier recording environment.
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.
