Danish sound designer and film sound recordist Malthe Bjørn Jensen likes DPA’s
d:screet™ 4061 Miniature Microphones so much that he wants to eat one! It’s true –
he really is curious to see what sounds he might capture if he swallowed one of
these tiny mics.

While recognising that it’s probably best not to try this for real, Jensen says: “I’ve
always been really impressed by the big sound you get from these very small
microphones. Their small size makes them very handy – I often use them on film
sets to record sounds in places where a bigger microphone wouldn’t fit.’

Jensen adds that having inconspicuous cables also makes them easy to hide. “For
example, if I’m recording dialogue I work with the costume department to hide
them in the actors’ costumes,’ he says. “I usually use DPA concealers and a piece
of fake fur to eliminate rustle, but sometimes, if the costume is tight, I use
Bubblebee Invisible Lavalier Covers because they work very well. It’s also useful
that the microphone’s grid provides a boost in the high mid-range, which is ideal
when you are positioning the mic in a costume that muffles the sound.’

The sound quality Jensen gets from DPA lavalier microphones is often a useful
back-up on a film set, especially when shooting wide angle shots where you don’t
want to see a boom.

“I use a DPA d:dicate™ 4017B as my shotgun mic because it works really well with
the d:screet™ 4061 Miniature mics,’ he explains. “The way the sound balances
between the two means that I have less work to do in post. I love the sound of this
microphone – and the fact that it is lightweight on the boom is handy if you haven’t
been to the gym for a while! It is good for outdoor recording and for indoors where
longer shotguns don’t fit under the ceiling or where they pick up too much reflection
and do weird phase things. I’ve also used it to record sound effects, usually with it
mounted on a stand.’

Currently based between Berlin and Copenhagen, Jensen is mainly involved in film
sound – both production and post. He also composes music for advertising and
records voice over projects.

“There is a thriving short film scene in Denmark, with many of these films
supported by the Danish Film Institute, Super 16 (a private alternative) and a few
other smaller institutions,’ he explains. “I’ve worked on various projects for the
different institutions including one, Silent Night, that was directed by Aske Bang,
produced by M&M Productions and nominated for a 2017 Oscar in the Short Film
(Live Action) category.’

Jensen recorded location audio, sound effects and foley for Silent Night before
moving on to another short film that was shot on location in the Norwegian
mountains over the winter.

With the sound for the Norwegian short film now in the can, Jensen is focusing his
attention on the post production process.