THE STUBBY
Not unlike the MTP250DM that I also tested out this month, the MTP350CM has that similar short handle that is going to feel a little unusual to some when they first get it in their hands. But perhaps this is not the microphone for a heavy grip, and more for a performer that is likely to hold the microphone aloft, with a lighter touch. That said when an XLR cable is connected to the microphone, it stops the hand from slipping off the end and you really don’t notice the size of the grip not matter how you hold it. Beyond that, there is reasoning to keeping the handle short and that is to allow for a larger cage around the capsule to ensure rear rejection and remove the chance of feedback from foldback monitors. It’s what’s inside that large cage that really makes this microphone special though. The rather small capsule is mounted centrally on a multi-layered rubber suspension frame that allows it to stay undisturbed even with some very rough treatment. Because of this, handling noise is kept to a minimum in a very impressive way. Taking the cage away reduces the wind and pop ltering, but still allows me to see just how this capsule operates in the hand. The incidental noise that comes from this microphone sounds like that of a dynamic mic, but the audio capture from the capsule is undeniably the clarity and richness of a condenser mic.
SWITCHED ON
So, given the characteristics of the capsule, this microphone delivers a sparkling high frequency response that not only lends itself to vocals, but will also get you out of a bind if you need a microphone for percussion, piano or wind instruments too. The model I had featured a switch on the side of the handle, which is a pet hate of mine. Switches tend to only allow the users to turn the microphone off unintentionally and generally just cause problems. Not in the case of the MTP350CM though, the switch is recessed in the housing so you can’t disengage it by accident. The only problem is that it is so deeply recessed that it isn’t easy to engage it either. But that aside, it doesn’t affect how this microphone performs when it is turned on and the results speak for themselves.
