To ensure that the sound was as a tight as possible, Incognito's percussionist Joao Caetano took along his own selection of DPA microphones including four d:vote 4099 Instrument Microphones and a stereo pair of d:dicate 4011A Cardioid Microphones, which were used as overheads for the recording.
"Normally I use d:dicate 4011A cardioid microphones for studio work and rely on the d:vote 4099 Instrument Microphones for live performance, but on this occasion we were recording audio for a DVD so I supplemented the line-up with the d:dicate 4011As because I wanted to capture the best sound possible," says Caetano. "Our front-of-house engineer, Chris Lewis, was very happy that I had brought them out of the studio for the task. He always insists that I use my DPAs on all our gigs."
Caetano is a fully-fledged member of Incognito having joined Jean Paul 'Bluey' Maunick's band in 2010. Originally from Macau, he came to the UK to study Music at Chichester University. Since graduating he has worked as a professional percussionist in the UK, and has also composed and recorded music for television. Alongside his Incognito projects, Caetano has also worked and performed with the likes of Chaka Khan, Leona Lewis, Jessie J, Dionne Bromfield and Mario Biondi.
"Although I am primarily a percussionist, I am also very melodic because I studied violin for 12 years and guitar while I was at university," he says. "I incorporate an awareness of other instruments into my work and I like to capture the best sound possible, both in the studio and on the live stage. This is the main reason why I invested in my own selection of DPA microphones - in my opinion they are the best microphones in the world. They wipe the floor with everything else."
Incognito tours every year and 2014 is no exception. The band is currently performing at various venues around Europe and Caetano takes his trusted d:votes with him wherever he goes.
"I use the d:vote 4099 on my congas and bongos because they deliver a really crisp, clear sound," he explains. "They are very reliable and, of course, very portable because they are so small."
(Jim Evans)
