Have you ever found yourself on a production, struggling to locate the perfect mic? There are so many excellent choices available—but which one should you choose, and what criteria do you use? Is it the frequency response you’re after, or perhaps the build quality while staying within a modest budget? These are real-world questions we face every day, and I believe I may have found an outstanding solution for you to try.
Recently, I had the chance to try out the DPA 2061 Mini Lav Mic paired with one of my new favorite windscreens—the DPA Air1 Mini Fur Windscreen. The DPA 2061 is a mini omnidirectional lav mic, perfectly suited for broadcast, professional audio, live events, and theatre.
As always, I pay close attention to build quality. My test unit of the 2061 arrived with a beige (flesh tone) trim—a refreshing departure from the traditional black (think old-school broadcast) mics I usually use. Plus, it’s available in multiple colors, opening up plenty of options when it comes to matching your mic with your wardrobe. While this feature might not be a dealbreaker for everyone, it’s always nice to have options. I also found the DPA 2061 to be exceptionally well built; it’s IP57 certified for dust and moisture resistance—making it both water resistant and sweat repellent—which makes it more than capable for demanding location and broadcasting environments. I’d still recommend picking up a small travel bag for extra protection.
And let’s talk size: the DPA 2061 is incredibly compact—the head of the mic is smaller than half the tip of my little finger! Additionally, its rugged 4.9‑foot cable is reinforced with Kevlar and features strain relief at both ends to endure everyday use in tough conditions. Furthermore, the cable near the connector is minimal—ideal if you want to keep the mic as inconspicuous as possible. Of course, if you opt for the universal DPA Air1 Fur Windscreen, you might lose that slight advantage, but you’ll gain a noticeable reduction in wind and unwanted ambient noise.
Before diving back into the DPA 2061, let’s take a moment to discuss the universal DPA Air1 Fur Windscreen. This little dynamo is as cute as a bug (literally) and will be your champion on windy days. It’s incredibly easy to use—a precisely positioned mic stop and specially designed arches keep your microphone at an optimal distance from the fur, ensuring consistent clarity and air volume without any need for readjustment after mounting. The handles and metal spring allow for a smooth opening with minimal disturbance to the fur, while a specially designed clasp secures the mic firmly in place. The precisely tuned boundary surface even acoustically boosts the frequencies that the fur tends to attenuate, preserving both transparency and accuracy in your sound.
I’d recommend ordering a few of these windscreens to keep with all your lav mics. The DPA AIR1 comes in a pair for mounting on multiple lavs and, as an added bonus, it fits the handles and durable metal spring openings of various DPA, Sennheiser, Sony, and Shure mics. And if you’re in the mood for a fun throwback, check out that old Star Trek episode “The Trouble with Tribbles”—I guarantee you’ll appreciate the comparison to the DPA AIR1 and get a good laugh, just as I did.
Now, let’s return to the technical side. The DPA truly shines in sound quality. The 2061 delivers a flat frequency response from 50 Hz to 16 kHz, with a 3dB boost between 8 kHz and 16 kHz. This results in an exceptionally clean and accurate mic—exactly what I’m looking for when doing a live read or recording for later editing. Of course, mic selection ultimately depends on the sound you want to achieve; while many clients may have specific preferences, I personally favor a natural sound. The DPA 2061 can handle peak sound pressure levels up to 137 dB with only 10% distortion, making it well-suited for loud vocalists and dynamic performances.
The mic is available with various connectors, including a mini-jack 1/8-inch option, offering flexibility across different audio systems. However, note that the DPA 2061 is hardwired with a fixed connector, which does limit flexibility. This caveat can be a benefit if you already know exactly which connector you need—just be sure that the connector you order is compatible with your sound system and that you don’t plan on changing it.
We all know that while equipment specifications and build quality are important, it’s the sound quality that ultimately matters. After all, sound is in the ear of the beholder. At the end of the day, what does your audio sound like? Is it clean and crisp—exactly what you want? Can the mic handle ambient noise, or does that noisy rooftop AC unit overpower your talent?
On a professional note, I wish more budding professionals would master the art of properly wearing and using a lav mic. If you want to look like a pro, then using the right mic is essential. Overall, the DPA 2061 lives up to the hype when it comes to faithfully reproducing natural voices. I believe many will find that the DPA 2061 is a reliable, high-quality choice for professionals seeking an affordable, rugged, and excellent-sounding lavalier microphone.
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