British indie rock band Tindersticks is marking its 21st Anniversary with a 12 stop European tour that begins in Hérouville-Saint-Clair, France on October 19.
Among the key items of equipment at each show will be two DPA Microphones d:vote 4099 Instrument Microphones, which are being used on the band’s cello and double bass.
Jamie Hickey, Tindersticks monitor engineer since 2008, says he used DPA d:vote 4099 instrument microphones over the summer when the band performed seven shows as a taster for the tour.
One of these performances involved a special set at the Blue Balls Festival in Lucern, Switzerland, where the six-piece band was joined by a 17-piece string section.
“The venue had a stock of DPA 4061 Miniature Microphones that it was happy to provide for our use on the string section,” explains Hickey. “Due to their omni polar pattern, I didn’t think they were the best option for a string section playing alongside a rock band.
“The supercardioid d:vote 4099 Instrument Microphones were the better choice for us because they could combat the amount of spill from other instruments on stage.
Hickey rented 17 d:vote 4099 Instrument Microphones from Tech-Serv Audio in the UK. These were used to mic five first violins, five second violins, four violas and three cellos.
“They performed absolutely brilliantly and I was so impressed that I am now using them to mic Tindersticks’ regular cello and double bass players,” continues Hickey. “As far as I am concerned, there is no better option for close miking strings.
“I love their ease of use. If time is limited, which it inevitably is, you can essentially point the mic at the F hole and voilà, it sounds great.”
Hickey adds that DPA’s instrument clips, which he describes as ‘a work of genius,’ were also a bonus because they were so easy to attach to the instruments.
“String players are very wary of anyone going within six feet of their instrument – let alone attaching anything to it,” he says. “On this occasion, I showed the players the mics we were using and invited them to inspect the clip.
“The quality and feel of the material used reassured them that there would be no damage to their instrument.”
Tindersticks’ 21st Anniversary tour will feature five additional string players who will join the band when they play the London Barbican. For that concert, Hickey will once again be renting additional mics from Tech-Serv Audio.
