The 8011 is the only 48V phantom powered waterproof microphone specially designed to handle the high sound pressure levels and the high static ambient pressure in water and other fluids. With a full bandwidth of 100Hz-20kHz, the 8011 hydrophone uses a piezoelectric crystal sensing element which is enclosed in a capsule so that it can withstand high pressure encountered at depths of up to 50m without being damaged or suffering changes in its performance characteristics. The sensing element gives the hydrophone a dynamic range of more than 100dB, so that even large fluctuations in the SPL emitted from a sound source, or in the distance from the sound source to the hydrophone, will cause no distortion in the recorded audio signal.
The Type 8011 uses a built-in precision preamplifier, which remains unaffected by temperature changes. The preamplifier is powered via a standard P48 system and is equipped with a standard 3-pin XLR-connector. The integral cable has a robust and abrasion-resistant jacket, which allows the product to be used in permanent installations immersed in water or ice over long periods of time.
At the Olympic Games in Sydney, broadcast engineer Al Craig chose DPA hydrophones to provide a sound that matched the underwater cameras covering Swimming, Diving and Water Polo. "The idea was to provide a contrasting texture when the vision went underwater," he explained. "For the coverage of the swimming events, we had a DPA hydrophone at either end of the pool to capture the entrance splashes, turns and finishes, and, for diving, we placed a single hydrophone near the bottom of the pool to capture the splash and recovery sounds."
