Countryman Associates has announced the I2 Instrument Microphone, a low-profile mic for applications including sound reinforcement of bands and orchestras, as well as broadcast.

The new mic offers a combination of small size and sonic precision for X-Y, M-S, and other techniques that rely on accurate coincident positioning and consistent patterns. Flexible close miking techniques are aided by Countryman’s new line of vibration-isolating magnetic instrument mounts, which are designed to mount securely and gently to a variety of instruments.

The Countryman I2 Instrument Microphone has a frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz, and

is available in four polar pattern configurations – omnidirectional, cardioid, hypercardioid and bidirectional/fig-8. These enable engineers exploit the microphone’s null points for isolating an instrument from unwanted sounds in close proximity.

The microphone is compatible with several hundred transmitters from major wireless manufacturers, including Shure, Sennheiser, Sony, Lectrosonics, AKG Acoustics, Audio-Technica, Electro-Voice, MIPro, Nady Systems, Samson Technologies and Zaxcom.

‘Our new mic addresses a myriad of instrument miking challenges commonly faced by audio engineers and show producers,’ says company President, Chris Countryman. ‘It’s important to get the best, most accurate sound possible and eliminate the visual distraction created by a larger microphone and the microphone stand. By offering the microphone with four available polar patterns, engineers can use the configuration best suited for any given miking application and, in the process, achieve excellent results. I’m quite confident the new I2 Instrument Microphone will be well received.’

MSRP pricing for the Countryman I2 Instrument Microphone is US$349 including the instrument mounting system. Anticipated delivery in Q1, 2015.

More: www.countryman.com