The DPA 2015 Compact Wide Cardioid Microphone is a small diaphragm condenser microphone designed for the ambient pickup of a drum kit or other instrument groups.

In live situations where a traditional cardioid pattern falls short in openness, the 2015 Compact Wide Cardioids offer an ideal solution. They excel as overheads, capturing a well-balanced sound of the entire instrument ensemble, such as a drum kit. Additionally, when dealing with instrument groups exhibiting complex radiation patterns, the wide cardioid (also known as hemispheric, subcardioid, or hypo cardioid) design proves beneficial, as it covers a greater sound angle and provides excellent results.

Built to withstand the rigours of hectic live stages, 2015 boasts a durable, reinforced construction. Its thicker, robust body, crafted from brass, exhibits exceptional corrosion resistance and tolerance against metal fatigue. Furthermore, the mic handle and grille surfaces are treated with a protective black chrome finish, ensuring graceful ageing over time.

The 2015 microphone features a uniform cardioid directionality, with DPA's renowned flat off-axis response. This characteristic grants a high gain-before-feedback and enables sound engineers to manage bleed from nearby instruments more effectively. Off-axis sounds are picked up naturally and attenuated, providing a seamless recording experience.

With its spacious, wide cardioid pick-up pattern, 2015 can be positioned closer to the drum kit than conventional overhead microphones while capturing sound evenly across the entire setup. This closer placement results in a stronger signal from the drum kit and reduces unwanted bleeding from the stage.

While the 2015 can be purchased as a single mic, it truly shines as a matched stereo pair, with a sensitivity tolerance of +/- 1.5 dB. The compact design of this stereo pair ensures unobtrusive placement on stage, allowing for an open, natural sound pickup without obstructing any of the exciting action happening during performances.