Local art companies always claim they are short of budget, even for those receiving government funding.  The priority of spending for sound equipments is relatively low compared with salary or marketing costs. However, the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra appears different with a dedication to “quality sound”.  You can tell by their collection of DPA microphones, the finest condenser microphone manufacturer in the world.

 

To learn more about this “DPA-loyal” organization, we’ve conducted an interview with the senior program manager (stage) Ray Tsang. Through him, we learn more about their loyalty and commitment to the brand.

 
About Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra:
Founded in 1977, the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra is the only professional, full-sized Chinese orchestra in Hong Kong. It has won the accolades as “a leader in Chinese ethnic music” and “a cultural ambassador of Hong Kong”, and is often invited to perform at various famous venues in the world and at international festivals. It has been heard by audiences in Europe, North America, Asia, Australia and the Arctic Circle. The Orchestra has an establishment of 91 professional musicians, playing in four sections: bowed-strings, plucked-strings, wind and percussion. The instruments include both the traditional and the improved, new versions. In particular, the bowed-string section has adopted, since 2009, the Eco-Huqin series developed by the Orchestra. With its roots in the Chinese cultural heritage, the Orchestra has built a repertoire that includes not only traditional Chinese music but also contemporary works. It also explores new frontiers in music through commissioning about 2,300 new works of various types and styles, whether as original compositions or arrangements.
 

 

We met Ray in HKCO’s office, which shares a building with the Sheung Wan Civic Centre. It’s a large space including an admin office, practice rooms and a 200 person rehearsal hall. Ray said they mainly use the DPA microphones for rehearsal recording and reinforcement for low sound level instruments. The rehearsal recordings will be shared to their cooperating artists or groups as a reference and archive for their work.  He showed us their DPA collection.

 
The triggering point for them to become DPA users was around 4 years ago, when the orchestra artistic director first heard the sound of DPA. He was very appreciative of the sound, which he felt was very natural and full of detail. DPA are unlike other mics they were using, which bring small twists to the tone. With the ability to absorb high sound pressure levels, DPA mics can remain linear in their performance. Its character benefits the sound operator, from easier tuning and feedback reduction. Since the capsule and preamp of DPA microphones can be combined into different setups, this gives them flexibility to handle many micing situations. This means with one purchase of a DPA mic, you not only get one mic, open up a variety of new combinations and possibilities. With such great cost-performance value, HKCO continues to expand their DPA inventory.
 

 
On the topic of resource allocation and why HKCO is willing to spend more on their sound equipment, Ray pointed out that their company is a music performance group. How the audience perceives the music and sound is extremely important. Sound quality is the highest priority, even more than visual. Budgets are always tight, so in order to fulfill their artistic requirement and financial balance, DPA is still the best choice.
 
 
HKCO will recently have a cross-over performance with Janoska Ensemble in July, for more details: http://www.hkco.org/tc/Concerts/When-Janoska-Meets-Hkco.html