DPA 4560-OC-B-B00 4560 CORE Binaural Headset Microphone (Black / Microdot)

Unobtrusive and easy 3D sound recording
The 4560 CORE Binaural Headset Microphone is, in its essence, a pair of 4060 CORE Miniature Omnidirectional Microphones that are mounted on two ear hooks (as known from the 4266 Flex type of headset). The microphones are a stereo pair; two handpicked 4060s, selected on sensitivity within ±1.5 dB. The actual headset is ergonomically designed to fit comfortably and easily. It adjusts to fit any ear size and head shape while at the same time it mounts securely and is hardly visible. Foam windscreens are supplied with the microphones to secure the position in the ear and to offer some damping of wind noise.

Features:

• Pristine audio quality
• Mics selected for sensitivity within ±1.5 dB
• Inconspicuous mic placement
• Lightweight and flexible headset
• Flexible adapter system fits most professional wireless systems

The 4060 CORE Miniature Omnidirectional Microphones in this headset exhibit an exceptionally accurate omnidirectional pattern and therefore do not need to be aimed directly at the sound source to achieve quality pickup. This pattern also makes it less sensitive to handling noise as well as pop and wind noise. These 4060s handle sound pressure levels up to 134 dB before clipping occurs. This mic is well suited for applications where the sound source is more remote or damped and you need to have a good balance signal versus noise.

Binaural recording is a technique that uses two microphones to create an immersive 3D stereo sound experience for the listener. When correctly accomplished, these recordings allow the listener to hear sounds like they are actually in the same position as the person who did the actual recording.
Binaural recordings differ from more well-known stereo techniques because binaural uses two omnidirectional mics positioned close together (as if in a listeners ears) to replicate the sound pick up of the human ear as close as possible. Stereo on the other hand, use cardioid microphones with a larger space between them.

Online media - including Facebook, Google and others who are making an effort to create more appealing products, including immersive sound could benefit from binaural recording. Film recordists are using binaural techniques to gather content they can use for atmospheric sounds. In addition, podcasts using the binaural technique can provide content that is much more immersive and alive compared to traditional techniques.

A bit about omnis
An omnidirectional microphone has sensitivity at all angles - in principle picking up sound equally from all directions. This gives you extremely natural and realistic sound compared to a cardioid mic. Omni mics are often used for picking up ambient sounds, as well as miking a large sound source such as a choir in a recording situation.

Applications for 4560 CORE Binaural Headset Microphone

Where to use your binaural headset? Well, there are many applications, where this technique is an obvious choice to use. Here are a few:

Podcast
Talking or interviewing while wearing the binaural headset, adds a completely new dimension to a podcasts. The listener will experience the surrounding world from the podcaster's (acoustical) perspective. Group discussions will provide much more spatial resolution and intelligibility compared to other techniques.

Sound effects acquisition
Sound designers are always searching for exciting sounds. In situations where the act of recording needs to be inconspicuous, (the microphone should not be seen) the 4560 can be used. Once recorded, you may correct the timbre to meet the purpose.
Binaural recording is the closest we can get to the real thing – experiencing what the ears actually hear.

Sound for AR/VR
Sound for Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality is built upon binaural audio. The sound is picked up using your head for the headset or perhaps by placing the headset on a mannequin or artificial head.

Sound for the gaming industry
Most gamers are wearing headsets, which makes this the perfect application for binaural recordings. Real scene recordings made this way are blended into the final mix giving a very realistic audio experience via a headset.

Hands-free, active recordings
How about recording while dancing in the Brazilian carnival parade? Or recording the Gullfoss waterfall in Iceland while feeling the power of the falling water all around you? These types of action-oriented recording are easy to do with a binaural headset. It allows users to capture realistic audio in virtually any situation and it does so inconspicuously.

Analyzing soundscapes
From a scientific perspective, the soundscapes of cities, streets, parks, playgrounds, markets, etc. are subject to analysis. In an environmental context, the soundscape helps us understand the acoustic ecology of a place. We can begin to understand how sounds interact with each other. Applying binaural techniques can provide an emotional dimension to these types of analysis.

Theatrical performances
Modern theatre seeks to present plays to an audience in many ways, sometimes involving challenging new technologies. Increasingly headphones, mobile devices, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, motion capture, 3D audio systems, etc. find their way into the theatre to provide augmented experiences. By equipping the actors with binaural headsets and the audience with headphones, you transport the audience's experience directly to the stage. New dimensions are added and it can become a very intimate experience.

Documentation of sound systems
Sound designers, sound engineers and system engineers, can benefit from documenting a system's performance using binaural recordings. By using reference music (or pink noise) on your PA/SR system, a user can move from one position to another, commenting on position and experience while recording the whole session. This provides the option of assessing the performance of a given sound system across different venues.

Acoustic assessment of concert venues
Like testing the sound design of a venue, events taking place there can be recorded binaurally. Again listening to different positions in a hall or at a stadium may provide sound samples for the assessment - and enhance your recollection of the event.

Recording a band
Musician can record the band to get a very precise idea of the ensemble feeling, on how you perform and how you position yourself in the mix.

Psycho-acoustic experiments
In psycho-acoustic research, the application of binaural techniques is quite common. Binaural recordings can provide much more detail than other techniques.

Sound exposure from headphones
Comparisons of (over-the-ear) headphones can be done by using the binaural microphones under the headphone cushions.