D:fine Core 4266 - Microphone DPA - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	Headset Microphone
Brand	DPA
Model	D:fine Core 4266
Capsule Type	Pre-polarized condenser
Directional Pattern	Cardioid
Frequency Response	20 Hz – 20 kHz
Maximum SPL	144 dB SPL (peak before clipping)
Sensitivity	6 mV/Pa (rated at 1 kHz)
Output Impedance	30–40 Ω
Power Supply	48 V phantom power (minimum 5 V DC via DPA adapter)
Connector	Mini-XLR (TA4F) or MicroDot (depending on version)
Cable Length	1.2 m (integrated, replaceable)
Weight (microphone only)	14 g (0.5 oz)
Boom Length	Adjustable, approx. 80 mm
Housing Color	Black (also available in beige)
Materials	Machined steel and aluminum
Included Accessories	Foam windscreen, hair clip, cable clip, carrying pouch
Maintenance	Wipe with a damp cloth; use mild soap if needed; avoid solvents
Safety	Keep away from water and excessive humidity
Spare Parts / Repairability	Replaceable capsule, cable, and windscreen; repair by DPA authorized centers
Warranty	2 years (extendable with registration)

Frequently Asked Questions - D:fine Core 4266 DPA

How do I power the DPA D:fine Core 4266 microphone?

The microphone requires 48 V phantom power or at least 5 V DC from a compatible DPA adapter. It connects via a standard XLR input with phantom supply.

Can I use the D:fine Core 4266 with wireless systems?

Yes, it is compatible with most wireless bodypack transmitters if you use the correct connector (e.g., Mini-XLR or MicroDot). DPA offers dedicated adapters.

What is the best way to clean the microphone?

Use a damp cloth with mild soap to wipe the boom and capsule. Avoid submerging in water or using abrasive cleaners. The foam windscreen can be washed in warm water.

Is the capsule replaceable?

Yes, the D:fine Core 4266 features a replaceable capsule. You can purchase a new capsule separately and install it without tools.

What is the polar pattern of this microphone?

It has a cardioid polar pattern, which captures sound from the front while rejecting ambient noise from the sides and rear.

Does the microphone come with a windscreen?

Yes, it includes a foam windscreen that reduces wind and breath noise. Additional options like a pop filter or fur windshield are available.

What is the maximum SPL the microphone can handle?

The maximum SPL is 144 dB SPL before clipping, making it suitable for very loud vocal performances.

Can I adjust the boom length?

Yes, the boom is adjustable to fit different face shapes. Slide the boom to the desired length and tighten the small screw.

What colors are available?

Standard colors are black and beige. Custom colors may be available upon request.

How do I store the microphone when not in use?

Store it in the carrying pouch provided, away from dust and moisture. Avoid coiling the cable tightly to prevent damage.

USER MANUAL D:fine Core 4266 DPA

All d:fine™ Headset Microphones provide a uniquely natural and open sound. Ultra-lightweight and adjustable, these mics ensure a secure and comfortable fit in live performance environments. To ensure optimal performance of your d:fine Headset Microphone, please follow the simple instructions below.

Placement of microphone

For discreet placement, you can bend the microphone boom slightly so that the capsule is placed in the desired position. Do not hold the capsule while bending; bend the wire boom, making a smooth curve with your thumb to best fit the profile of the face.

Mount a directional mic 2-3 cm (1 in) from the corner of the mouth to ensure optimal sound quality compared to an omnidirectional mic that can be placed further away from the mouth.

Omnidirectional characteristics

• The mic is sensitive to sound from all directions
- The sound remains more or less the same regardless of the distance between the sound source and the mic
- The positioning of mic with omni characteristics is less critical than with directional
- An omnidirectional microphone is generally not very sensitive to wind, breathing, pop and handling noises

Directional characteristics

• Rejects background noise and creates higher separation
  • The mic is most sensitive to sound on one side (marked on some variants)
• The positioning of mics with directional characteristics is essential as the low frequency level will change according to the distance to the mouth, known as proximity effect.
• Choose a distance that yields the desired amount of bass
• Care should be taken to protect against wind and pop noise e.g. by using a windsseen

How to tell the difference between d:fine™ Headset Microphone capsules

d:fine™ CORE 4166

d:fine™ CORE 4188

d:fine™ CORE 4066, CORE 4266

d:fine™ CORE 4088, CORE 4288

Omnidirectional

Directional

Omnidirectional

Directional

See the mark on the capsule

See the mark on the capsule

Adjusting the d:fine™ 4066 & 4088

The size of the headset mount can easily be adjusted. Change the standard bend by carefully expanding the distance between the earhooks.

To change sides, simply click the boom out of the clips and switch it over to the other side.

The remaining two clips are not used. The soft cable must not be attached into the clips.

Adjusting the d:fine™ 4266 & 4288

For the single-ear, just open the spring hook lightly, first place the slide behind your ear-lobe (Pic. 1) and let go of the spring over your ear (Pic. 2). For the dual-ear, place the headset behind your ears and place the springs like for the single-ear. Adjust the headset mount by pulling or pushing the wires until it fits tightly (Pic. 3).

A directional headset should be mounted 2-3 cm (1 in) from the corner of the mouth to ensure optimal sound quality.

Correct placement behind the earlobe

See instruction video at
dpamicrophones.com/dfine

Position the microphone properly by pulling or pushing the boom along the slide.

Switch between left and right ear wearing style simply by rotating the microphone boom. Hold on to the earhook while gently turning the boom.

For the dual-ear versions, also rotate the two earhooks.

Adjust the microphone boom to follow the shape of your face by gently bending the soft steel on the cable hanger.

Adjust the angle of the cable run, also by gently bending the soft steel (see arrows). Position the cable as shown on the picture for securing the position of the microphone.

The cable relief on the dual-ear version should be fixed in the clip that also holds the two wires on the mount.

Always leave the protection grid on the d:fine™ 4166 Omnidirectional & 4166 Directional capsules, as it protects the inner grid and offers protection against wind and breathing noise. The protection grid is replaceable.

Service connector to exchange cables or booms on d:fine™ 4166, 4266, 4188 and 4288 Headsets

These d:fine™ Flex Headset Microphones offer exchange of cables or microphone booms. Simply locate the service access point, pull back the small locking cap and gently pull the boom away from the cable hanger.

Windscreens

The enclosed windscreens offer additional protection against wind and pop noise. Gently draw the windscreen over the microphone head. For even better protection, bigger windscreens are available.

Sweat stop

The microphone is equipped with a transparent sweat stop around the microphone boom to prevent sweat running along the microphone boom to the microphone head.

Accessories (see more at dpamicrophones.com/accessories)

Grids and windscreens, cables, adapters, booms and earhooks.

Protection cap

The dfine™ 4166 Omnidirectional & 4188 Directional Microphones come with a red plastic cap which serves to protect the microphone head when putting on makeup, hairspray and more. Remove the cap before use.

Color codes & cable steer

d:fine™ 4166 Omnidirectional & 4188 Directional Microphone types come with a number of cable steer clips in different colors. Mounted on the cable relief, this clip allows for quick recognition of a specific headset microphone.

Clothing clip for d:fine™ 4266 & 4288 Headset types

The supplied clothing clip allows you to attach the cable to your clothes, thus relieving the cable draw to the headset mic. This is essential on especially the single-ear headset mic.

Cleaning d:fine™ 4066 & 4266 mic grids

Remove the mic grid from the mic element and clean the grid using a soft cloth and demineralized water only. Make sure the grid is dry before remounting it on the mic element. This is not possible on the dfine™ 4088 and 4288 types as the diaphragm is protected inside the mic housing and the protection grids are not removable. Therefore, for these two mics, no attempt should be made to clean the grid surface and extreme care should be taken not to clog the grids with makeup e.g.

Cable maintenance

The cable is usually longer than required. Make sure that superfluous cable is wound up in soft figure-of-eight loops (preferably 6-8 cm (2.5-3 in) diameter) and avoid kinks in the cable.

Use Ecotech2 Multi Degreaser from Finish Line to remove residue from tape, glue, or makeup on the cable. Do not bend the cable or rub it harshly, it may stress the inner cores of the cable and cause them to break over time.

General maintenance

The d:fine™ Headset Microphones are resistant to high levels of humidity. However, care must be taken to keep the mic away from exposure to water and cleaning fluids and to keep the mic head dry at all times. Do not use spray or use fluid containing chemicals that could remove static electricity on or close to the microphone. This could cause permanent damage.

MicroDot connectors and adapters

To provide users with safe and compact mounting of connectors, all headsets from DPA are fitted with the MicroDot connector as standard. A broad range of connection adapters is offered as optional accessories for most wireless systems for professional use. See dpamicrophones.com/adapters.

Please also note that standard hardwired solutions are available for popular wireless systems;

03 : 3 pin LEMO

10: TA-4F Switchcraft

34: Mini-Jack

Frequency Response of dfine™ 4166 Omnidirectional types

Polar Pattern of dfine™ 4166 Omnidirectional types

Frequency Response of d:fine ^TM 4188 Directional types

Black line is near field (2 - 3 cm/0.6 - 1.2 in). Green line is far field (more than 30 cm/12 in).

Polar Pattern d:fine™ 4188 Directional types

Frequency Response (dfine™ 4066 & 4266 Omni Headset types)

Frequency Response (dfine™ 4088 & 4088 Directional Headset types)

Polar Pattern (d:fine™ 4066 & 4266 Omni Headset types)

Polar Pattern (d:fine™ 4088 & 4088 Omni Headset types)

Specifications

dfine™ CORE 4066, 4166 & 4266 Omnidirectional Headset Microphone types

Directional pattern

Omnidirectional

Principle of operation

Pressure

Frequency range

20 Hz - 20 kHz

Frequency range, ±2 dB

d:fine™ CORE 4166;

20 Hz - 20 kHz with 3 dB soft boost at 8 - 15 kHz

dfine™ CORE 4066 Act & Flex:

20 Hz - 20 kHz with 3 dB soft boost at 8 - 20 kHz

Sensitivity, nominal, ±3 dB at 1 kHz

6 mV/Pa; -44 dB re. 1 V/Pa

Equivalent noise level, A-weighted

Typ. 26 dB(A) re. 20 μPa (max. 28 dB(A))

S/N ratio (A-weighted),

re. 1 kHz at 1 Pa (94 dB SPL)

Typ. 68 dB(A)

Total harmonic distortion (THD)

<1% up to 137 dB SPL peak

Dynamic range

Typ. III dB

Max. SPL, peak before clipping

144 dB

Power supply (for full performance)

Min. 5 V - max. 50 V through DPA adapter for

wireless systems.

Current consumption

Typ. 1.5 mA (microphone)

3.5 mA with DAD6001-BC XLR adapter

Connector

MicroDot

Color (microphone, cable and earhook)

Black, beige, brown

Cable length

1.25 m (4.1 ft)

Cable diameter

1.6 mm (0.06 in)

Temperature range

-40°C to 45°C (-40°F to 113°F)

Relative humidity (RH)

Up to 90%

Specifications

dfine™ CORE 4088, 4188 & 4288 Directional Headset Microphone types

Directional characteristics

Cardioid

Principle of operation

Pressure gradient

Frequency range

20 Hz - 20 kHz

Frequency range, ±2 dB,

Near field 2-3 cm (0.8-1.2 in)

dfine™ CORE 4188:

100 Hz-20 kHz with 3 dB soft boost

100 Hz - 20 kHz with 4-6 dB soft boost at 15 kHz

Sensitivity, nominal, ±3 dB at 1 kHz

6 mV/Pa: -44 dB re. 1 V/Pa

Equivalent noise level, A-weighted

Typ. 28 dB(A) re. 20 μPa (max. 30 dB(A))

S/N ratio (A-weighted),

re. 1 kHz at 1 Pa (94 dB SPL)

Typ. 66 dB(A)

Total harmonic distortion (THD)

<1% up to 137 dB SPL peak

Dynamic range

Typ. 111 dB

Max. SPL, peak before clipping

144 dB

Power supply (for full performance)

Min. 5 V - max. 50 V through DPA adapter for

wireless systems

Current consumption

Typ. 1.5 mA (microphone)

3.5 mA with DAD6001-BC XLR adapter

Connector

MicroDot

Color (microphone, cable and carhook)

Black, beige, brown

Cable length

1.2 m (3.9 ft)

Cable diameter

1.6 mm (0.06 in)

Temperature range

-40°C to 45°C (-40°F to 113°F)

Relative humidity (RH)

Up to 90%

© Copyright 2017

Service & repair

If you are not satisfied with the characteristics exhibited by this product, please contact your nearest DFA Microphones representative for support.

Warranty

cfre™COR. Headset. Microphones are covered by a two-year limited warranty.

CE marking

This product conforms to all relevant directives approved by the European Commission.

Product features and specifications are subject to change without notice

d:fine™

Headset Microphones

core

by DPA

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