Neumann KK 143 Wide Cardioid Microphone Capsule
The Neumann KK 143 is a wide cardioid microphone capsule for the KM A/D system. Its matte, anti-reflective finish makes it virtually invisible in concert halls, theaters, or on camera, allowing microphones to be placed close to performers without distracting from the stage.
The wide cardioid polar pattern combines the natural sound of an omnidirectional capsule with the subtle frontal directivity of a cardioid. The result is a wide, balanced pickup where the main sound source remains in focus while the ambient acoustics are accurately reproduced. It is particularly well-suited for grand piano, string quartets, classical guitar, vocal ensembles, and stereo configurations such as spaced pairs or main arrays in orchestral recordings.
The capsule is a compact and lightweight pressure gradient transducer that connects to either the KM A analog or KM D digital output stage. Thanks to the system’s modularity, it can be mounted on extension tubes, swivel mounts, or cables and positioned up to 100 meters away from the output stage electronics, offering a level of setup flexibility that is hard to achieve with traditional microphones. Key specifications include a sensitivity of 15 mV/Pa, a self-noise level of just 13 dB-A, and a maximum SPL of 138 dB (increasing to 148 dB with preattenuation)—ensuring clean, silent recordings even during the most delicate passages.
