Parabolic microphones, used primarily for sports, can provide a great alternative for general purpose reporting during the Covid-19 crisis, according to Paul Terpstra, president of parabolic specialist Klover Products. 

Klover-1 KM-09 LED on News Camera Square

Klover: A 9in camera-mounted parabolic dish with an omnidirectional lavalier can capture clear audio while keeping a distance

Terpstra said: “Parabolic microphones allow a person speaking at a normal level to be recorded from six to ten feet using a parabolic microphone only nine inches in diameter. The microphone, and reporter, can maintain a safe distance during the interview, reducing the chance of infection. 

“Placing a lapel microphone on the interviewee is not practical and the shotgun mic on top of the camera won’t capture clear audio from a safe distance, especially if there is significant ambient noise,” said Terpstra. Placing a shotgun mic on a boom pole in front of the interviewee is another ‘imperfect’ option 

According to Terpstra, any omnidirectional lapel microphone can be used in Klover’s 9in parabolic, the Klover MiK 09. The base of the frame incorporates a 1/4-20 UNC thread so it can be used in a multitude of ways, including being mounted to the cold shoe of a camera or to a small pistol grip handle.  

According to Klover, the Philadelphia Eagles American football team uses a 16in diameter parabolic microphone to capture questions during press conferences that are stream live. The online audience complained of not being able to hear the questions before the Eagles switched from a shotgun microphone to the Klover MiK 16 parabolic microphone.