CLARITY AND ACCURACY
The KLOVER MiK 16 was initially created for baseball stadiums, where the KLOVER MiK 26 would obstruct the fan’s view. Weighing just three pounds, the KLOVER MiK 16 parabolic microphone excels in mobility. Its smaller size also makes it ideal for security applications where discreet audio capture is needed.
Foot Range
16 in
Diameter
250+ 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.
3 lb
Weight
~18X
Amplification
KlOVER MiK 16 Details
Need less range? Check out the KLOVER MiK 09
Need more range? Check out the KLOVER MiK 26
KLOVER MiK 16 Features
Highly Reflective Dish
Made from ballistics-grade plastic, our stiff, highly reflective dish material provides a fuller audio signal.
Lightweight
Weighing just under 3 pounds, the KLOVER MiK 16 is easy to operate and transport
Vibration Insulation
We use specialty vibration isolation bushings on all attachments and handles to eliminate noise that may come from an operator’s movement.
Modular Construction
Attachments such as microphone yokes and handles are designed to be interchangeable so you can customize your KLOVER MiK for different jobs and easily replace damaged parts.
The dish is designed to be safely stacked without scratching the critical internal surface.
Versatile Setup
With three different mounting systems, you can operate the KLOVER MiK by hand or permanently affix it for nearly invisible audio capture
Designed For Safety
PVC is brittle and creates sharp, spear-like edges if broken. Metal parts can also cause serious injury to the operator and athlete. However, our carbon fiber parts crush upon impact. All protruding studs have also been removed from the front of the dish.
Five Models Available
Two models for hand held applications – Three models for stationary applications
KLOVER MiK 16
Our new third generation “K” model includes two handles allowing operators to use both hands to hold the parabolic and be more accurate.
KLOVER MiK 16 Broadcast
Our newest model provides a plate for mounting your electronics and a neck strap to reduce operator fatigue.
KLOVER MiK 16 Hard Mount
Clear acrylic mounting plate instead of handles for nearly invisible, stationary mounting options.
KLOVER MiK 16 Sound Shield
Clear polycarbonate mounting dish instead of handles for increased sound isolation and nearly invisible, stationery mounting options.
KLOVER MiK 16 in Enclosure
The heart of our KLOVER MiK 16 supported and protected by a sturdy enclosure.
"I used them (Klover MiK 16s) for the 2013 ALCS and World Series, and they worked great. I also used them for the MLB series in Sydney, Australia, where I was forced to be much further from the action than normal, and they performed really well. I will definitely use them again."
Joe Carpenter
Audio Engineer (Baseball Mixer Extraordinaire)
(Mixer for Fox's MLB All-Star game and MLB post season)
"The parabs (KLOVER MiK 16s) are great. We have only gotten to use them with volleyball and soccer broadcasts, but they have really added a great sound to the show!"
Weston Carter
Director of Video Services, Media Systems Auburn Athletics Department
"I can say it (KLOVER MiK 16) localizes and amplifies/concentrates the animal vocalizations better than any other technology I have used."
Kathryn Rohr
Nature enthusiast
"We just finished our first home stand we loved the (KLOVER MiK-16) Parabs! They sound great! You can hear the pop of the mitt and the crack of the bat so crisply. They look sharp on television as well."
Andrew Halverson
Director, Broadcast Minnesota Twins Baseball Club
"I had a setup I’ve used for baseball for several years, but at the Little League World Series we had to setup the shotgun mics back in a hallway that had the scorekeepers and other people walking around. I always ended up capturing “extra voices.” When I switched to the Klover (KLOVER MiK 16), all that went away."
Devin Barnhart
ESPN Audio Mixer
"The mic (KLOVER MiK 16) is awesome. I just used it this last weekend. It has always captured awesome audio, and its so easy to store and put together."
Matthew Cunningham
Audio Technician
"My team recently purchased a KLOVER MiK 16 Sound Shield and are thrilled with the performance. We are looking to buy a couple more full KLOVER MiK 16 SS kits as a result.”
Tactical Ops/CTC-IS NCOIC
US Army National Training Center Operations Group
"They (the KLOVER MiK 16) simply did what other mics couldn't do. We pick up sounds and hear conversations happening at a whisper level at a great distance. This is something that other microphones and other audio technologies simply couldn't do based on the distance of these boats to the camera.”
Dan Beckham
Broadcast / Social Media Coordinator - Head of The Charles Regatta
Sample Clips
Raw audio from behind home plate
Nightingale Song #1
Nightingale Song #2
Have Audio Questions?
Photo Gallery
Additional Details – KLOVER MiK 16 Parabolic Microphone
KLOVER MiK 16 V1
- Dimensions: 18 x 16 x 10 inches
- Weight: Approximately 3 pounds
- Mounting Options: Intended to be handheld, but two (2) 1/4-20 tapped hole mounting inserts are embedded into the lower handles for stationery mounting.
KLOVER MiK 16 V2
- Dimensions: 18 x 16 x 10 inches
- Weight: Approximately 3 pounds
- Mounting Options: Intended to be handheld, but a 1/4-20 tapped mounting holes is machined into the bottom handle for stationery mounting.
KLOVER MiK 16 Hard Mount
- Dimensions: 18 x 16 x 6 inches
- Weight: Approximately 3 pounds
- Mounting Options: Four ¼-inch clearance holes are provided in the mounting plate for stationary mounting
KLOVER MiK 16 Sound Shield
- Dimensions: 18 x 16.5 x 8.3 inches
- Weight: Approximately 4 pounds
- Mounting Options: Ten ¼-inch clearance holes are provided in the flange of the Sound Shield mounting bracket for stationary mounting
All Models
- Range: 250 to 300 feet in ideal conditions
- Amplification: Approximately 18 X
- Dimensions: 18 x 16 x 10 inches
- Dish Outside Diameter: 16 inches
- Collector Diameter: 13.5 inches
- Collector Dish Thickness: 3/16 inch
- Frequency: 40 Hz to 15 kHz
- Focus Point: 1-1/8 inch behind the inner microphone mount center hub (1-1/2 inch Behind Front Face of Collector Dish)
- Pickup Pattern: Approximately conical (20 degrees off center)
(See “Test Results” tab below) - Microphone: Omnidirectional or wide cardioid mic (lapel mics up to 5/16 inch in diameter or cylindrical/pencil mics 3/4 to 7/8 inch in diameter)
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 an audience can be captured with a parabolic microphone. The unit can be hand held, mounted on a pan/tilt unit that follows the video camera, or mounted to a pan/tilt/zoom camera.
Newscasters
The directionality of the KLOVER MiK greatly reduces the amount of ambient, or crowd noise that is captured. This allows your subjects to stand out from the background noise.
Press Conferences
The range of the KLOVER MiK allows the presenter or the questioners to be heard, depending on the need. Click on the image to learn more about how the Philadelphia Eagles use the KLOVER MiK 16.
Nature Study
Our parabolic microphones have been used by bird watchers around the world. They have also been used to record land animals worldwide.
This video demonstrates how the KLOVER MiK 16 captures sandhill cranes.
Law Enforcement / Security
The range and focus of the KLOVER MiK can provide audible audio to supplement surveillance video. This audio can provide valuable insight into suspicious activity.
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). If your subject turns their head to the side, the drop-off is much less than if they were wearing a lapel mic.
The directionality of the KLOVER MiK greatly reduces the amount of ambient, or crowd noise that is captured. This allows your subject to stand out from the background noise.
Sports
The KLOVER MiK 16 has been used for the MLB playoffs and the World Series. The have also been mounted in several major league baseball parks, both with and without our Klover Box enclosures.
While not providing the same range as the KM-26, the KM-16 also works well for field sports such as football or rugby.
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.
The KLOVER MiK 16 can be configured with virtually any electronics to create a set-up for your exact audio needs. The images below show common configurations.
A microphone must be installed in each KLOVER MiK, therefore the first step in configuring your system is the selection of a microphone. Any lapel (lavaliere) or pencil microphone with either omnidirectional or wide-cardioid pickup pattern can be used.
There are two common connector types for microphones, XLR and TRS:
XLR 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
Examples of pre-amp (headphone amps) include the Sound Devices MM-1 and Whirlwind MD-1. Other products are available.
An IFB receiver is often connected to the auxiliary input of the pre-amp. This allows the mixer to give direction to the parabolic operator. An example of the IFB receiver would be the Lectrosonics IFB R1B.
Streaming
An example of a suitable pre-amp would be the Rolls MP13. Other products are available.
What type of microphone element can I use in the KLOVER MiK 16?
The KLOVER MiK 16 requires the use of a microphone with an omnidirectional or wide-cardioid pickup pattern. A small diaphragm condenser (pencil) mic between 3/4 and 7/8 inches in diameter may be used. In addition, a lapel (lavaliere) microphone up to 5/16 inch in diameter may be used with the included mic adapter tube.
Omnidirectional microphones capture sound from a 360-degree pattern around the microphone. Wide-cardioid microphones have a pickup pattern that goes beyond 180 degrees. Both of these microphones 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 16?
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 16 is 1-1/8 inches behind (inside) the rear surface of mic mount hub or 1-1/2 inches behind the front face of the collector dish.
A label on the face of the collector dish includes a line that is 1-1/8 inches wide for adjusting the focus.
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 16?
Please see the dimensions in the “Specifications” section above.
How heavy is the KLOVER MiK 16?
Please find the product weight in the “Specifications” section above.
How do I mount a lapel microphone in a KLOVER MiK 16?
The KLOVER MiK 16 is shipped with an “adapter tube” that fits inside the center hub of the microphone yoke and has an inside diameter that is significantly smaller. The most common method of mounting a lapel microphone inside this tube is to wrap the mic cable with soft foam rubber before locating the mic inside the tube. When the foam expands, it centers and retains the mic.
We are currently shipping a plastic microphone clip that snaps on the outside of the lapel microphone and then slips inside the adapter tube.
Is there any difference in the audio performance between the four models of the KLOVER MiK 16?
No. The four models of the KLOVER MiK 16 are functionally equivalent. The way that the dish is supported is the only physical difference.
For general questions concerning our products or company, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions page.
