Leo Sayer switches to DPA d:facto
- Details
Now based in Australia, where he has lived since 2005, Leo Sayer began using d:facto vocal microphones during his last UK and European tour when they formed part of the audio itinerary supplied by Cliff Brothers. He was so impressed with their sound that on his return to Australia he asked Damien Young to source wireless d:facto mics for his forthcoming Australia and New Zealand tour dates. DPA’s local distributor Amber Technology was delighted to help and after demoing various versions, Sayer purchased two 4018V capsules because he loves the extra presence this capsule gives him.
“My introduction to the d:facto Vocal Microphone certainly came through Leo and it is now a microphone I would really like to have in my personal microphone kit because it is amazing,” Young says. “I usually struggle with the ‘extra’ top end Leo loves but this mic doesn’t give me any issues and I use significantly less processing to get a great vocal. On the last show I only used a HPF and compression, no severe EQ or DE-Essing was needed. It also takes FX well. The reverbs and other processing just works better with less noticeable artefacts.”
Damien Young adds that Leo Sayer is a big fan of the extended useable top end that he gets with d:facto because he likes his sound to be bright and loud.
“With most other mics you can have one or the other,” Young explains. “By the time Leo gets the level he wants it’s either feedback city or lose the clarity. With the d:facto 4018V he can have both.”
From February through to April 2019, Sayer and Young will be embarking on at least 20 live dates covering Australia and New Zealand before Sayer heads back to the UK and Europe for a series of shows.
(Jim Evans)
