Neumann MCM 114 Set Guitar

I bought Neumann MCM 114 to use as a stage microphone for my flamenco guitar and replace microphone on a stand.

Very solid build quality (this is what I did not like about DPA), not flimsy at all and in general does not feel like it is going to let me down soon.

Little big bigger clamp but it was not a problem for me.

Soundwise, it is clearer, more natural than DPA and in general I liked it a lot more. Overall, sound quality coming from this little microphone is really incredible. Very close to KM184. One thing that put me off was the rumble in the low register that I noticed. Fretboard sounds and mechanical noise (from the clamp, my body touching the guitar etc.) were just too audiable for my taste. HPF helped a lot, but even with a cut under 150 HZ and changing the capsule distance from the guitar, the noises were still audiable (not too much, but they were there). I guess it is just a compromise for the practicality, size, and ease of use that MCM 114 offers.

Personally, I had a very, very difficult decision and decided to go for a good old SDC condenser mic on a stand. Too bad, because this little thing is really wonderful. If I have to decide between DPA 4099 and MCM 114, I would choose MCM 114. Good job Neumann.

Hope this will be helpfull to someone.

I use this on a variety of guitars, mandolins, mandolas, and banjos.

I also have a DPA 4099.

The DPA has a high-end peak (you can see it in the curves, and you can definitely hear it when you compare on the same instrument) that is missing in the Neumann. So I’ll tend to use the DPA for instruments such as a vintage Gibson mandola that don’t produce a lot of high end, and the Neumann for pretty much everything else. The MCM is very neutral and accurate, and I like it quite a bit.

I’m not really happy with either the Neumann or the DPA clips for guitar. I have better results on instruments with a trapeze and banjos when I use a cello clip to mount the mic.

All in all a great piece of gear.