DPA Microphones
CORE+

CORE+ is a revolutionary leap forward in microphone design, blurring the lines between what's acoustically possible and what's not. CORE+ is a technology that neutralises distortion across the entire dynamic range of the microphone, making any residual distortion undetectable to the naked ear and virtually unmeasurable. By eliminating these residual distortions, sound engineers can easily and efficiently achieve new levels of audio clarity, allowing them to create an exceptional listening experience for the audience.

Features of CORE+

  • Effectively negates microphone distortion across the full dynamic range
  • Captures the purest, clearest sound at the source
  • Allows sound engineers to focus on creating an exceptional experience for the audience
  • Reduces the hassle of unpredictable live show challenges

Neutralize the distortion

Microphones with CORE+ provide even greater clarity across the entire dynamic range, from low to high SPLs. While CORE allows microphones to handle higher SPLs up to 1% THD without significant artifacts, CORE+ eliminates these artifacts completely. The image shows that we have reduced distortion to an absolute minimum across the entire dynamic range. The flatness of the curve at all levels shows that there is no distortion, only system noise.

High to low SPL without distortion

Microphones with CORE+ deliver crystal-clear, distortion-free sound across the full dynamic range of the microphone. Anyone seeking the highest possible sound quality will appreciate CORE+. Whether you are recording or amplifying content, the sound from the microphone will remain clear and undistorted, even when the talent is speaking or singing at higher volumes. Especially at higher SPLs and with multiple microphones on stage, the elimination of distortion improves the overall clarity and transparency of the sound image.

For miniature microphones in particular, sound professionals in the theater and film industries are the primary beneficiaries.

Measure THD performance

Measuring the THD of a microphone is a complex task, and there is no standardized method for performing this measurement.

Accurately measuring very high sound pressure levels (SPLs) requires a sound generation system that does not introduce its own distortion. DPA has perfected this technique over many years of research, allowing us to perform accurate THD measurements with the expertise of our highly skilled engineers and researchers.

The significance of 0.5% THD

For audio professionals with high quality expectations, it is important that artifacts (distortion) begin to appear as high up on the SPL scale as possible. Ideally, the sound captured by a microphone should not gradually change in character as the SPL increases, and should remain as clear and close to the original sound as possible.

This gives sound engineers more freedom to create the sound they want without being limited by artifacts, even at the high end of the microphone's dynamic range.

Accurate measurement of total harmonic distortion

At DPA, they have developed a precise THD measurement for the entire microphone and can therefore provide reliable figures for the THD performance (0.5%, 1% and 10%). This complex but accurate measurement is not used by any of our competitors, who use a simplified method that only measures half of the microphone (the preamplifier).

But who can record directly into a preamp?

The DPA measurement process is easy to understand when we look at a modular pencil microphone, such as our 4011A, where the amplifier and capsule are separate components.

(Simplified process diagram below.)

Accurately measuring THD

It is this holistic view of microphone performance, where both the capsule and the electronics contribute to distortion, that led to the groundbreaking approach of eliminating this phenomenon in system design, ultimately resulting in CORE+.

Who can benefit from CORE+?

Microphones with CORE+ deliver crystal-clear, distortion-free sound across the entire dynamic range. Anyone looking for the highest possible sound quality will appreciate CORE+. Whether recording or amplifying content, the sound remains clear and undistorted, even when the talent is speaking or singing at a higher volume. Especially at higher SPLs and with multiple microphones on stage, the elimination of distortion improves the overall clarity and transparency of the sound. The main beneficiaries of miniature microphones are sound professionals in the theatre and film industries.

Why is the improvement of the 0.5% distortion point important?

For audio professionals with high quality expectations, it is important that artifacts (distortion) begin to appear as high up the SPL scale as possible. Ideally, the sound picked up by a microphone should not gradually change in character as the SPL increases, and should remain as clear and close to the original sound as possible. This gives sound engineers more freedom to create the sound they want without being limited by artefacts, even at the high end of the microphone's dynamic range.

DPA measuring the THD

Is there a risk that the microphone's ability to eliminate distortion will be overshadowed by the inferior performance of wireless transmitters?

High-end transmitters are designed to be as transparent as possible, minimising their impact on the original audio signal and preserving its integrity and fidelity. However, any small artefacts or imperfections introduced by a microphone will be amplified as the signal passes through the audio chain, exacerbating these defects. If a microphone introduces even the slightest amount of distortion, no amount of downstream processing or enhancement can fully restore or correct the original signal, resulting in a loss of authenticity. This is why CORE+ is seen as a groundbreaking improvement for those striving to capture the most authentic sound possible.

Why was the name CORE+ chosen?

DPA's CORE technology was developed to improve audio quality by reducing distortion and extending the dynamic range of miniature microphones. Building on the success of CORE, the new CORE+ technology takes these improvements even further by eliminating distortion within the increased dynamic range achieved by CORE. As the original CORE technology has become widely recognised and trusted by DPA users, the name CORE+ has been chosen to reflect this evolution. The "+" signifies the advances and improvements that build on CORE's achievements in total harmonic distortion (THD) management.

How does a DPA microphone with CORE+ compare to the THD performance of competitors?

Measuring the THD of a microphone is a complex task, and there is no standardized method for performing this measurement. Accurately measuring very high sound pressure levels (SPLs) requires a sound generation system that does not introduce its own distortion. DPA has perfected this technique over many years of research, allowing us to perform accurate THD measurements with the expertise of our highly skilled engineers and researchers. As a result, we can thoroughly evaluate both our own microphones and those of our competitors, often finding values that differ from their specifications - understandably, since they typically only test the amplifier component. However, testing the amplifier alone does not accurately represent the true THD, as no one can "sing" directly into an amplifier without the essential elements of the microphone, such as the diaphragm and backplate, in place.

How do other manufacturers measure the THD of their microphones?

To simplify the process, many brands treat the capsule as an "ideal element" and instead focus on determining the maximum input level the amplifier can handle, measuring only half of the microphone during the THD test. As a result, the THD is measured as an equivalent electrical input signal that does not take into account the contributions of the capsule or the interactions between the capsule and the preamplifier. Using this measurement provides limited insight. However, if you look carefully at the specifications of even the most respected manufacturers, you'll often find a disclaimer in the small print stating that only the amplifier is measured.

Can I use a mix of CORE and CORE+ technology microphones in my productions?

Yes, absolutely. All DPA microphones share the same sonic character, so you can mix different DPA microphones seamlessly within the same production. However, DPA recommends prioritising microphones with CORE+ technology for lead actors and/or high SPL scenarios to ensure the most optimal audio quality.

What microphones will feature CORE+ technology and when can we expect them?

The implementation of CORE+ technology requires a redesign of our microphones, so it will take some time to update our entire portfolio. We will start with our 5 mm omnidirectional microphones, including headsets and lavaliers, in early 2025, followed by the 5 mm cardioid models.

The following microphones will receive CORE+ in early 2025:
Omnidirectional: 4060 / 4061 / 4062 / 4063 / 4071 / 4661 / 4066 / 4266 / 4466
Followed by cardioid: 4088 / 4188 / 4288 / 4488 (and omni 4166)

The most popular product models will be released first, followed by low-frequency models.
While the CORE+ technology has the potential to be integrated into other microphones beyond the 5 mm miniatures, DPA is currently unable to provide a timeline for this new development.

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