Upon its release in spring 2022, the Miniature Clip Mic System will cost $299.
German microphone specialist Neumann.Berlin has announced its first product range, designed primarily for close miking instruments with the debut of the new Miniature Clip Mic System. It includes the new KK 14 electret capsule joined by nine mounting options designed for optimum positioning while simultaneously protecting instruments.
The system has been designed to promote stability and long service life for live and stage performances.
Portfolio Manager Stephan Mauer: “We had been dissatisfied with the sound delivered by electret solutions for quite some time. Technicians and artists alike want greater substance, higher precision for low and medium frequencies and more openness. At the same time, we wanted to finally be able to create electret microphones that offered constant performance, so that sound engineers would not have to continuously deal with production tolerances impacting sound level and frequency response.”
Neumann stated that it spent six years researching the capsules and production processes for the new system. Mauer added: “All that work paid off. This capsule is unlike anything that came before.” The capsule is designed for minimum self-noise with a stated maximum sound level of 152 dB.
In addition, the Miniature Clip Mic System is modular and rugged. Neumann assembles the KK 14 capsules by hand and encapsulates them in titanium housing. The capsule can be easily unscrewed from the gooseneck connector whenever necessary.
The nine options for attachment options include brass, string and stringed instruments as well as pianos, drums and percussion. “Our field tests quickly revealed that all users share a desire for being able to reliably and securely position the microphone. Another wish that they all had in common was wanting to avoid damaging sensitive surfaces of their instruments. This gave rise to self-adjusting spring-loaded systems and newly developed mounting concepts for specific applications,” Mauer stated.
Ralf Oehl, CEO of Neumann, commented: “We are proud that we have succeeded in redefining the potential of electret capsules. For the first time, they are more than just a compromise solution for technically demanding situations. With this product, we have created a new reference for a sound that is truly natural, neutral and reliable – even in challenging technical or acoustic situations.”
The users of this microphone system include orchestras, theatres, musical productions, concert halls, big bands, brass sections and drummers. Cables can be equipped with a 3.5 mm jack, Lemo, MicroDot or 4-pin mini XLR connectors so the system is compatible with all standard wireless bodypacks.
The Miniature Clip Mic System will be available in spring 2022. The list price of the KK 14 capsule is $299. Prices for sets start at $699 (capsule, gooseneck, cable, mounting system, XLR adapter and windscreen).
