Core Sound — Core Sound High End Binaural microphone set (using DPA 4060/4061 capsules)

The microphones have an on-axis frequency response of 20 Hertz to 20 kiloHertz (+/- 2 dB). For those of you who are using 96 kHz and 192 kHz sampling rates, you'll be pleased to know that these mics are down only 3 dB at 26 kHz and -10 dB at 40 kHz! The mics are provided with two detachable protection grids with black screens that fit over the microphone element. The short one provides flat frequency response from 20 Hz up to 8 kiloHertz; the frequency response then rises to +3 dB at 14 kiloHertz and drops to flat again at 20 kiloHertz. The long one provides a flat response to 5 kiloHertz and a more severe +10 dB peak at 12 kiloHertz.

Sensitivity of the 4061 is 6 mV/Pa; the 4060 sensitivity is 20 mV/Pa. The microphones are nominally omnidirectional but their pickup pattern is modified by the absorption and reflection characteristics of your head and outer ears. Their noise level is as good as microphones of this type get: 28 dBA for the 4061 and 23 dBA for the 4060. This is comfortably below the ambient noise level at concerts. The maximum sound pressure level the mics can withstand before clipping is 144 dB (134 dB for the 4060) -- this allows for a useful dynamic range in excess of 115 db!

The HEB microphones require a bias voltage. The HEB "battery box" contains a nine volt battery, associated electronics (top quality metallized polypropylene capacitors hand matched to 1%, and 1% metal film resistors) and a high reliability, locking, US-made, multi-pin jack. The battery box is roughly half the size of a cigarette pack, made of sturdy die cast aluminum, and is finished in a durable black crinkle finish. The battery lasts approximately 300 hours and should be replaced at least once a year. The output to the recorder is an 1/8-inch (3.5mm) mini stereo phone plug; other connectors (e.g., XLR, RCA, 1/4-inch Phone) can be supplied upon request.

Due to different voltage requirements, the HEB battery box is not compatible with the battery box used with the Core Sound Binaural or Core Sound Stealthy Cardioid microphones.