Designed for a broad range of long-distance broadcast, ENG and film miking applications, such as booming, dialogue, interview and table or podium use, the d:dicate™ 4018 Supercardioid Microphone offers superb flexibility through modular accessories.
This microphone is part of the flexible d:dicate™ Microphones series. It has a highly-directional supercardioid pickup pattern with a smooth and uniform off-axis frequency response.
The supercardioid shape is frequency independent, securing an identical sound color around the microphone. The usual rear lobe heard on most supercardioids is minimized on this capsule. This makes it much more isolated without sudden frequency dependent peaks and dips.
Combine it with the preamp of your choice
At any time, and with no tools needed, it is possible to transform the MMC4018 Supercardioid Microphone Capsule into a new configuration.
The MMP-A Microphone Preamp is an ultra-transparent, transformerless preamp with active drive for impedance balancing. The MMP-C Compact Microphone Preamp is an ultra-compact preamp with active drive for impedance balancing. It has a slightly softer character than the other preamps in the d:dicate™ Microphones Series.
d:dicate™ 4018A Supercardioid Microphone
The d:dicate™ 4018A Supercardioid Microphone is designed for a broad range of music recording and broadcast / ENG / film long-distance miking applications. It can be used for booming, dialogue, interview and table or spot-recording use.
d:dicate™ 4018C Compact Supercardioid Microphone
Similar to the d:dicate™ 4018A, but with an even shorter length of only 6.4 cm (2.5 in), the d:dicate™ 4018C Compact Supercardioid Microphone has a highly-directional supercardioid pickup pattern with a smooth and uniform off-axis frequency response. This is a great-sounding mic with a very small footprint. It is ideal for use as spot or hanging mic for orchestra recording situations.
- Low noise and high sensitivity
- Highly directional for high isolation
- Most controlled supercardioid shape
- Uniform, frequency independent directionality
- Modular flexibility
A bit about supercardioids
A supercardioid microphone is similar to a cardioid – it is most sensitive to sound coming in at the front and is least sensitive at the back. Supercardioid mics tend to have a much narrower angle of sensitivity (and hypercardioids even narrower) – making them even more focused than a “normal” cardioid mic. The off-axis sound will normally be more or less coloured and damped – and, due to the narrow angle of focus, the area of damped sound is increased significantly. The unique DPA capsule technique however skips the colourisation of the sound coming from the sides or the rear of the mic and just reduces the sensitivity to these angles and thereby offers perfect sound stages. The amount of damping depends on the exact specifications of the mic.
Due to their nature, supercardioid mics are often used on the live stage – both during concerts as well as spoken-word events, to capture the focused sound of an instrument or voice. The narrow angle of sensitivity helps to minimize the bleed from other sounds on a busy stage. One thing to note with supercardioid mics is the proximity effect, which causes an increase in bass response the closer the microphone is moved to the sound source. In addition, supercardioid mics are far more sensitive to wind, pop and handling noises than omni mics, so be sure to take precautions to guard against this.
4018A Specs
| Directional pattern | Supercardioid |
| Principle of operation | Pressure Gradient |
| Cartridge type | Pre-polarized condenser |
| Frequency range | 20 Hz - 20 kHz |
| Frequency range ±2dB | 40 Hz - 18 kHz |
| Sensitivity, nominal, ±3 dB at 1 kHz | 12 mV/Pa; -38.4 dB re. 1 V/Pa |
| Equivalent noise level, A-weighted | Typ. 16 dB(A) re. 20 µPa (max. 19 dB(A)) |
| Equivalent noise level, ITU-R BS.468-4 | Typ. 23 dB (correct with the attenuator in 0 dB or -20 dB setting) |
| S/N ratio (A-weighted), re. 1 kHz at 1 Pa (94 dB SPL) | Typ. 78 dB(A) |
| Total harmonic distortion (THD) | < 1% up to 137 dB SPL peak |
| Dynamic range | Typ. 121 dB |
| Max. SPL, peak before clipping | 156 dB |
| Switchable attenuator, filters etc. | 0 dB / -20 dB |
| Output impedance | 200 Ω |
| Minimum load impedance | 2 kΩ |
| Cable drive capability | 100 m (328 ft) |
| Output balance principle | Impedance balancing with Active Drive |
| Common mode rejection ratio (CMRR) | > 60 dB |
| Power supply (for full performance) | 48 V Phantom power (± 4 V) |
| Current consumption | 2.8mA |
| Connector | XLR-3M. Pin 1: shield, Pin 2: signal + phase, Pin 3: - phase |
| Colour | Matte Black |
| Weight | 158 g (5.6 oz) |
| Microphone diameter | 19 mm (0.75 in) |
| Microphone length | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Maximum output voltage, RMS | 8 V |
| Polarity | +V at pin 2 for positive sound pressure |
| Temperature range | -40°C to 45°C (-40°F to 113°F) |
| Relative humidity (RH) | Up to 90% |
4018C Specs
| Directional pattern | Supercardioid |
| Principle of operation | Pressure Gradient |
| Cartridge type | Pre-polarized condenser |
| Frequency range | 20 Hz - 20 kHz |
| Frequency range ±2dB | 40 Hz - 18 kHz |
| Sensitivity, nominal, ±3 dB at 1 kHz | 12 mV/Pa; -38.4 dB re. 1 V/Pa |
| Equivalent noise level, A-weighted | Typ. 16 dB(A) re. 20 µPa (max. 19 dB(A) |
| Equivalent noise level, ITU-R BS.468-4 | Typ. 23 dB |
| S/N ratio (A-weighted), re. 1 kHz at 1 Pa (94 dB SPL) | Typ. 78 dB(A) |
| Total harmonic distortion (THD) | < 1% up to 137 dB SPL peak |
| Dynamic range | Typ. 121 dB |
| Max. SPL, peak before clipping | 150 dB |
| Output impedance | 100 Ω |
| Minimum load impedance | 2 kΩ |
| Cable drive capability | 100 m (328 ft) |
| Output balance principle | Impedance balancing with Active Drive |
| Common mode rejection ratio (CMRR) | > 50 dB |
| Power supply (for full performance) | 48 V Phantom power (± 4 V) |
| Current consumption | 2.8mA |
| Connector | XLR-3M. Pin 1: shield, Pin 2: signal + phase, Pin 3: - phase |
| Colour | Matte Black |
| Weight | 58 g (2 oz) |
| Microphone diameter | 19 mm (0.75 in) |
| Microphone length | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Maximum output voltage, RMS | 4.5 V |
| Polarity | +V at pin 2 for positive sound pressure |
| Temperature range | -40°C to 45°C (-40°F to 113°F) |
| Relative humidity (RH) | Up to 90% |
