UK - Paolo Nutini’s world tour recently wrapped after 130 shows, where DPA Microphones brought clarity, reliability and a powerful impact to each performance.
Leading the sound team for Nutini’s tour were three industry veterans: Front of house (FOH) engineer Ben Findlay, monitor engineer Grace Howat and stage technician Chad Chadwick. Together, they harnessed DPA’s microphones to capture Nutini’s signature sound in every venue.
“For the tour, we integrated an array of DPA microphones across the stage,” says Findlay. “We tailored the setup to meet the demands of a nine-piece band. The equipment chosen reflected the needs of each instrument and artist.
“Four DPA 4011 Cardioids were positioned to enhance the detail and precision of the snare drums, while four 4099 Instrument mics provided coverage across hats, rides and toms. DPA 2015 Wide Cardioids brought balance and fidelity to the overheads and 2012 Cardioids were used with Paolo and band member Jordi Furster’s Fender guitar amps, allowing these central elements to cut through the mix with remarkable accuracy.”
Other key components in the setup included six DPA 4055 Kick Drum mics, which were used not only for the kick, but also on amps with band members Gavin Fitzjoihn and Ellie Mason, and across the accompanying Hammond organ and Leslie keyboard speaker channels utilized by Donato di Trapani. Two DPA d:facto 4018V wired mics amplified Nutini’s primary and keyboard vocals.
“The DPA microphones took the sound of the band’s instruments beyond what’s typical,” adds Chadwick. “The DPA mics provided more faithful, accurate reproductions of each source on stage and delivered a level of transparency we hadn’t achieved with other brands.”
