Neumann’s Miniature Clip Mic System: ‘Unlike anything that came before’

German microphone specialist Neumann.Berlin has announced its first product range designed especially for close miking instruments.

The company says the new KK 14 capsule in its new Miniature Clip Mic System is ‘able to capture the details of sound better than anything that came before’ – without any of the production tolerances that have been associated with electret solutions to date.

The system’s modular construction has been designed to ensure superior stability and long service life for live and stage performances.

Neumann Portfolio Manager, Stephan Mauer, said: “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.”

With minimised self noise and an extremely high maximum sound level of 152 dB, the KK 14 is designed to deliver perfect results for both very quiet and very loud instruments. The capsule can be easily unscrewed from the gooseneck connector whenever necessary, and the system boasts nine options for attachment to brass, string and stringed instruments, pianos, drums and percussion.

Neumann CEO Ralf Oehl believes that this new system marks the beginning of a new reference: “We are proud that we have succeeded in redefining the potential of electret capsules,” he said. “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 sound that is truly natural, neutral and reliable – even in challenging technical or acoustic situations.”

The Miniature Clip Mic System is designed for orchestras, theatres, musical productions, concert halls, big bands, brass sections and drummers. Thanks to connection cables with either a 3.5 mm jack, Lemo, MicroDot or 4-pin mini XLR connectors, the system is compatible with all standard bodypacks for wireless setups.

The list price of the KK 14 capsule is €279/$299. Prices for sets start at €629/$699 (capsule, gooseneck, cable, mounting system, XLR adapter and windscreen). The Miniature Clip Mic System will be available in spring 2022, and the pre-order period is open now.