Recording - May 2018 - 12

LEWITT
MTP 440 DM Dynamic
Instrument Mic

This unsung hero of the budget studio
shines on multiple sources
REVIEW BY PAUL VNUK JR.
very studio needs at least one, or better yet a
handful, of good moving-coil dynamic microphones,
especially to tackle loud sources like drums, cranked
guitar amps, and brass instruments. They're not prone to
overloading like condensers, or stretching/breaking like
unprotected ribbons, and they're usually quite affordable.
With that we bring you the MTP 440 DM dynamic
instrument mic from LEWITT. These microphones are
designed in the company's Vienna headquarters and then
produced overseas. In the past few years we have looked
at many of the LCT large-diaphragm condenser models;
now it's time to check out the company's dynamic side.
While the MTP mics are billed as a "live" line, don't
worry: the MTP 440 DM, like most dynamic mics is quite
agnostic when it comes to studio and live use.

E

The MTP 440 DM, is a "handheld-style" dynamic mic with
a focus on instruments. It's well built and structurally robust,
dressed in matte black with a black grille and a stylized vented
head basket. It measures 1.53" at its widest diameter and is
6.25" in height, and comes with a mic clip and leatherette bag.
Its specs include a frequency range of 60 Hz to 16 kHz, a
sensitivity of 2.5 mV/Pa, -52 dBV/Pa, internal impedance of
500 Ω, and a rated load impedance of 1000 Ω. Its frequency
graph shows it to be flat from 110 Hz to 2.75 kHz, with a
significant low-end rolloff of -10 dB from 80 Hz down. Like

many dynamic instrument mics, it has a high-mid boost, in this
case 4 dB centered on 4 kHz. It also has a slight but wide
high-end boost of about 2 dB from 6 to 16 kHz. Despite
having many of its upper bumps and high-mid tweaks in similar
places to other dynamic mics on the market, it's worth noting
that many of those are often more exaggerated-by up to 10
dB-and can be even more forward in the high end.
This gives the MTP 440 DM a nice upper-mid push, but it's
more laid back and controlled rather than aggressive. While
its low end rolls off quickly from 80 Hz down, it does offer
more low-end extension than a Shure SM57, but on the other
end of the spectrum it is not as forceful as an Audix i5 in the
lows or low midrange.
Speaking of those mics: to get an initial feel for the MTP
440 DM, I did tests on snare, toms, kick drum, cajon, acoustic
guitar, congas, and vocals. I placed the MTP 440 DM alongside an i5, an SM57, and a Telefunken M80-in other words,
my usual stable of dynamic mics.
All four mics were very different from one another. The
SM57 was the most forward and punchy, the M80 had the
most upper-end clarity, and the i5 was the fullest and most
imposing. The MTP 440 DM by contrast had a fuller, even,
and controlled low end, and its top was the smoothest and
least forward of the bunch.
I quite liked its naturalness on snare, even with no EQ. This
would be the type of snare mic well suited for songs where
you want the snare heard with distinction, but not necessarily
pushing its way to the front of the mix like a 57 or i5 would
do. It is similar on toms.
My favorite use was on electric guitar, especially on smaller
tube combo amps in an overdriven blues, classic rock, and
country context. Again, this is a mic that is very full and
powerful, but it does not exaggerate the source sound and
thrust it forward like the other mics might. I can best sum up the
sonic signature of the LEWITT as a dynamic mic that captures
depth and fullness rather than just forcefulness and punch.
One of this mic's greatest features is its tight off-axis rejection;
its 180º rejection is listed by LEWITT as -25 dB. In my tests
even the 90º off-axis rejection was around -16 dB, and it fell
off fast. This makes the MTP 440 DM a great mic both for
rejecting feedback live and controlling bleed in the studio.
It's a mic that I welcome into my studio's box of dynamic colors with open arms, and at a street price below a Benjamin,
it's one you should look at, too.

PRICE: $99
MORE FROM: LEWITT,
www.lewitt-audio.com

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RECORDING May 2018
http://www.lewitt-audio.com
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