DPA N-Series Brings Natural Sound And Flexibility To Marti Pellow's Tour

DPA Microphones' N-Series Digital Wireless System has taken centre stage on Scottish singer Marti Pellow's current tour, becoming a cornerstone of the production's audio setup under A-Live Sound LTD director and monitor engineer Martijn Van Renterghem.

A longtime monitor engineer for Pellow, Van Renterghem has worked across theatre, concerts and large-scale touring, while also helping expand A-Live's rental arm across the UK and Europe. "We were among the first users of DPA's N-Series, and we jumped on it very quickly," Van Renterghem says. "What really stood out was how natural it sounds. I can't notice a difference in sound between a wired microphone and a wireless one with the N-Series, which is something you can't say about many wireless systems."

On Pellow's dates, the N-Series is used for handheld vocals. The crew initially paired the system with the DPA 4018 VL capsule before moving to the DPA 2028 handheld to better control ambient noise from lively audiences and stage spill. "Marti performs across a variety of settings from arena tours to theater shows and festivals, so we needed a system that could adapt," adds Van Renterghem. "The DPA 2028 is a bit more enclosed, which helps in louder environments, while still maintaining that incredibly natural sound."

Van Renterghem also cites the handheld transmitters' design advantages — a tidy, discreet look and no external screens — as well suited to on‑camera work. "They look neat, they're lightweight and the noise floor is incredibly low," he says. "Marti really likes the feel and the sound; it's just very natural."

The tour embraces a fully integrated DPA ecosystem, particularly on orchestral shows featuring up to 80 musicians, where models such as the 4099 Instrument Mic are used to maintain tonal consistency across inputs. "During orchestral performances, which feature up to 80 musicians, we rely exclusively on DPA microphones, such as the 4099 Instrument Mic, to ensure tonal consistency across every input," Van Renterghem explains. "When you go all-in with DPA, everything reacts the same way. You hear the source, not the microphone. That's especially important in orchestral settings where clarity and realism are critical."

Beyond Pellow's itinerary, A-Live has rolled out the N-Series across additional shows and festivals, adding the platform to its broader rental inventory. "The response from engineers and artists alike has been overwhelmingly positive," adds Van Renterghem. "Industry professionals already trust the DPA brand, so they're keen to try it. Once they hear it, they understand why it stands out."

Positioned as a fully digital, true diversity wideband solution, the N-Series is designed to deliver DPA's signature transparency in a robust, easy-to-operate package. Its versatility makes it suitable for touring, live events, houses of worship, corporate productions and installed systems — a key consideration for rental providers such as A-Live.

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