NEVER MISS YOUR SHOT
Engineered for the modern videographer, the KLOVER MiK 09 parabolic microphone is known as our “shotgun killer.” Attach it to the camera’s shoe mount, mount it to a light pole, attach a pistol grip, or even hang it from the ceiling, for long-range audio that’s always ready.
Foot Range
9 in
Diameter
30+ ft
Range
Our new “K” version is constructed of carbon fiber reinforced nylon reinforced with continuous Kevlar fibers. These new construction methods have doubled the strength and durability of the components.
10 oz
Weight
~6X
Amplification
KlOVER MiK 09 Details
Need more range? Check out the KLOVER MiK 16
Need a much greater range? Check out the KLOVER MiK 26
KLOVER MiK 09 Features
Directional
Enjoy longer reach and more directionality than a traditional shotgun microphone
Versatile Setup
Designed to be used with any omnidirectional lapel mic, the KM-09 converts any microphone you may have to a long-distance shotgun equivalent
Capture Multiple Speakers
Capture natural conversation between multiple speakers without having to pass a handheld or wire people with individual mics
Discrete Design
Enjoy the reach of a boom without distraction to your subject
Durability
Constructed of ballistic-grade plastic and aluminum, and with no handles, the KLOVER MiK 09 is the most durable design
Built-In Protection
A break-away joint protects your equipment from danger if dropped or hit
Two Models Available
KLOVER MiK 09 Standard
- Available in silver or black finish
KLOVER MiK 09 Accessory
- Available in silver or black finish
"I was impressed with not only the quality of the materials used to build the Klover parabolic microphones, but also the clarity and presence of the audio."
Dan Weecks
Weecks Productions
"Are you trying to bankrupt me? I'm just a poor Canadian A1. I pulled the parabolic out of the box yesterday and instantly had a ton of interest from some of the crew. My tech manager loved it. He wants one for his DSLR. He came in during the game and listened in real time. I'm sure he'll be ordering one soon. I've attached some pics of where I mounted it. Thought it was pretty ingenious. You may notice in some of the pictures a shotgun on top of the lens. Had to do the A B comparison. Well, no comparison at all. I'll take it."
Steve Koubridis
Sound Engineer at Steve Koubridis Audio Services
“The amazing beauty of your product (KLOVER MiK-09) is that in about a minute one can use whatever lav they have as one of the world’s farthest reaching mics simply by inserting it into the parabolic dome! One can use their lav in a sit-down interview one minute and a couple of minutes later as a fantastic shotgun. And we can easily afford to use two mics at once; one for the person talking on the left and the other for the person talking on the right.”
Randy Gardner
Freelander Reality TV
"The small size of a parab was intriguing but I wanted to hear it. I have used the parab on Wrestling and on Judo. Due to the small size of the dish, it didn’t stand out in the shot. I heard this ‘tearing’ noise and couldn’t figure out what it was. Finally I saw a person pulling masking tape off a roll 30 feet away from the parab! It doesn’t have a tin can sound, nor does it have a resonant hum. Overall you could say I was pleased with my purchase, but maybe a better term would be ecstatic.”
Rodney Kobayakawa
HI Pro Streaming, NEP (Retired) Author
(Rodney is the author of Basic Remote TV - Field Audio Explained)
"Ever since I built those boxes around the 9-inch KLOVER MiK and put it on the backstop at baseball and softball, all of the SEC teams that have come to town ask what we are doing for on field audio. I showed them pics of the boxes with the parabs and I've sent them all your way! The other schools that have come to town say the audio we are getting from those parabs are as good or better than the SEC tournament in Hoover. Needless to say they are working out amazing for us!” (We provided the custom-cut foam used in our flight case and Chase built a box around the foam.)
Chase Williams
Audio Engineer, Auburn University
Reliable audio for unreliable times.
Photo Gallery
Additional Details – KLOVER MiK 09 Parabolic Microphone
KLOVER MiK 09
- Accessory Mounting: Not available
KLOVER MiK 09 Accessory
- Accessory Mounting: The standard aluminum block is replaced with a block that has two flash shoe mounting slots
Both Models
- Range: 30 to 50 feet in ideal conditions
- Amplification: Approximately 6 X
- Dimensions: 10 x 9 x 3 inches
- Dish Outside Diameter: 9 inches
- Collector Diameter: 8 inches
- Weight: Approximately 10 ounces
- Collector Dish Thickness: 1/8 inch
- Frequency: 40 Hz to 15 kHz
- Focus Point: 1-1/8 inch behind the inner face of aluminum frame
- Pickup Pattern: Approximately conical (15 degrees off center) (See “Test Results” tab below)
- Microphone: Omnidirectional lapel up to 5/16 inch diameter
- Mounting Options: Aluminum block with 1/4-20 tapped hole and flash shoe adapter is standard. The block can be replaced with the included cylindrical rod for mounting in a shotgun mic clamp
Streaming
Presenting classes online is becoming more common every year. Streaming video of the instructor is quite easy, and using a wireless mic provides great audio from the instructor. If desired, it is rather straight forward to add a second camera to capture video of the students. The challenge, however, is to capture audio of student questions and interaction.
Comments from more than 20 students were captured with four 9-inch parabolic microphones mounted in a 20-foot x 40-foot classroom (as shown below). The audio was more than adequate. Another university placed a 9-inch parabolic (along with a GoPro camera) in each classroom to stream the professor for students watching from home.
Newscasters
Interviews can be conducted with no notice because there is no need to place a mic on the subject. Depending on the level of ambient noise, the audio will be very similar to a lapel mic on the subject from up to 6 or 8 feet.
An unexpected benefit of using the KM-09 is that the audio signal drops off much less when your subject turns their head to the side, as compared to using a lapel mic.
The directionality of the KM-09 greatly reduces the amount of ambient, or crowd noise that is captured. This allows your subject to stand out from the background noise. At the same time, the pickup is large enough that more than one subject can be captured with equal levels. You don’t need to worry about the subject speaking while the interviewer has pulled back the mic.
A group of 27 panel members was captured with four KLOVER MiK 09 units hung from the ceiling grid.
The small parabolic also makes a great backup for wireless mics when mounted above the news desk.
Nature Study
Our 9-inch parabolic microphones have been used by bird watchers around the world. They have also been used to record land animals at zoos and in the wild (even Big Foot!).
Documentaries
A number of customers use our small parabolic microphone for man-on-the-street type interviews.
The interview can be conducted spontaneously, without having to place a mic on the subject(s). At distances less than 6 to 8 feet (depending on the level of ambient noise) the audio will be very similar to a lapel mic on the subject. And if your subject turns their head to the side, the drop off is much less than with a lapel mic.
The directionality of the KM-09 greatly reduces the amount of ambient, or crowd noise that is captured. This allows your subject to stand out from the background noise. At the same time, the pickup is large enough that more than one subject can be captured with equal levels. You don’t need to worry about the subject speaking while the interviewer has pulled back the mic.
Security / Law Enforcement
The range and focus of the KLOVER MiK can provide audio to supplement surveillance video. This audio can provide valuable insight into suspicious activity.
Sports
The KLOVER MiK 09 has been used for various sports including March Madness tournament and the NBA playoffs. According to audio engineer Dave Grundtvig “the combination of the 9-inch parab and where it’s placed on the backboard perfectly mimics the three-point circle on the court.”
Audio engineer Steve Koubridis used the KM-09 for major league soccer and said “You may notice a shotgun on top of the lens (photo on the right). I had to do the A – B comparison. Well, no comparison at all. I’ll take it (the 9-inch parabolic).”
Leak Detection
The focused pickup pattern of the KLOVER MiK allows the high frequency sounds of air leaks to be easily detected and located.
Mechanical Noise Detection
The focused pickup pattern of the KLOVER MiK allows noises from specific points on equipment to be monitored and analyzed. Brakes are just one example of noises that are easily captured.
A microphone must be installed in each KLOVER MiK, therefore the first step in configuring your system is the selection of a microphone. Any omnidirectional lapel (lavaliere) microphone can be used.
There are two common connector types for microphones, XLR and TRS:
XLR (eXtra Low Resistance) microphones are nearly always used for broadcast applications. Professional cameras and recorders are likely to have the larger XLR microphone ports. Most microphones with XLR connectors will require a voltage be supplied to operate the internal components of the microphone. This is called “phantom power” and usually is in the range of 12 to 48 volts. Please confirm if your microphone requires “phantom power” and if your camera / recorder provides it before selecting a microphone.
The other common type of microphone connector is Tip Ring Sleeve (TRS). This type of connector is used on consumer cameras and recorders. In most cases the tip of the connector will be 3.5mm (1/8 inch) diameter. This type of microphone often requires a small voltage be supplied to operate the internal components of the microphone. This is called “plug-in power” and usually is in the range of 5 volts or less. Please confirm if your microphone requires “plug-in power” and if your camera / recorder provides it before selecting a microphone.
Video Recording
One device that allows an XLR microphone to be connected to a smart device, and also monitor audio with headphones, is the iRig PRE from IK Multimedia. Other products are available.
Audio Monitoring and/or Recording
Samples of XLR audio recorders include: Zoom H4, Tascam DR-40, Tascam 60D. Samples of 3.5mm audio recorders include: Zoom F1-LP, Zoom H1, and Tascam 05. Other products are available.
Broadcasting
What type of microphone element can I use in the KLOVER MiK 09?
The KLOVER MiK 09 requires the use of an omni-directional lapel (lavaliere) microphone.
Omni-directional microphones capture sound from a 360-degree pattern around the microphone. This pickup pattern allows these microphones to capture the sound energy reflected from the outer edges of the parabolic dish. This sound energy may be ignored with a more directional pickup pattern.
How do I focus the KLOVER MiK 09?
Each parabolic microphone has a specific focus point. The microphone element must be placed at this focus point in order to provide the maximum performance from the unit. The focus point of the KLOVER MiK 09 is 1 1/8″ behind (inside) the rear surface of the aluminum frame. The square tab at the bottom of the dish can be used as a setup guide is it is 1 1/8″ wide.
Please refer to the video in the “Assembly Video” tab above, for a detailed explanation of the focusing process.
How large is the KLOVER MiK 09?
Please see the dimensions in the “Specifications” section above.
How heavy is the KLOVER MiK 09?
Please find the product weight in the “Specifications” section above.
Is the KLOVER MiK 09 fragile?
No. We have designed all the Klover MiK products to take the abuse of everyday use.
The only critical portion of the Klover MiK is the inside surface of the parabolic dish.
We suggest transporting the Klover MiK 09 with the dish attached to the aluminum frame to reduce any chance of scratching the inside surface of the dish. Using a case or carrying bag for additional protection when transporting our parabolic microphones is also suggested.
For general questions concerning our products or company, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions page.
