SeriesNeumann KM

This is a small diaphragm condenser mic, often called a pencil mic. They are condensers so they require +48V phantom power in order to work. You connect them with a standard XLR mic cable. These have a set pickup pattern, which is cardioid. The KM line does come in other pickup patterns, so beware in case you are under the impression that these have switchable patterns, like I was for a while. These are pricey and very high quality, so if you take them out of the studio you will want to be very careful. I was once in a session where one hit the floor, and it was done for - so you can be sure that they are pretty fragile. OVERALL OPINION I have been using these for many years, they are somewhat of a staple in many studios. These are some of the best you can get for small diaphragm condensers. The sound you get from these is totally crystal clear, and putting up two of these and recording in stereo will get you a truly realistic stereo image. For that reason, they are also sold in stereo pairs. Since they are small diaphragm, these are great with high frequencies and transients. Because of that they are very well suited to use as drum overheads, and stereo mics for a piano. I especially recommend using these on piano - they can really help highlight those harmonics and overtones that can unfortunately can get lost with a lower quality mic. These will also usually come with a detachable wind screen, mic clips, and a nice wooden box from Neumann. These mics are also my secret weapon for recording acoustic guitar. Put one of these on the neck of the guitar, and a large diaphragm condenser on the body and you're in heaven! These are expensive but definitely worth it if you want the best. I would get them again in a heartbeat.

Nuemann Km 84 delivers a very clean and crisp recording. No need to filter out the bassy low end, this mic is very accurate with what it records. Sonically the response has a nice presence peak in the upper mid range, but the top end rolls off quickly after that. Opinion is split about whether that is a good or a bad thing – it helps keep a lid on feedback, but it doesn’t sound as hi-fi as some other mics. I have had some singers complain that their vocal top end is not quite right - sometimes asking for more top end. I guess they are used to the sound of expensive condenser mics on their recordings. If you A/B test an Nuemann Km 84 verses other mics it will always win. The proximity effect (increase in bass when you sing or talk close to the mic) makes this important. If the singer is a foot away from an Nuemann Km 84 , the chances are they will sound thin, and you will also have gain before feedback issues. OVERALL OPINION There are a lot of mics that will give you a sound like this one and maybe even a better sound than the Nuemann KM 84 but are they built to last? Not too many of them are, either that or they too expensive for the average home engineer or musician. This mic will out shine a lot of its competitors in the years to come. Nuemann has kind of been under the radar because of all the other great mics on the market. But this one will bring them to the for front soon. The Nuemann Km 84 is practically unbreakable, and if you do manage to drop it from a high stage / skyscraper, you can also buy a replacement pop shield. Very suited to rock, or other musical styles that need powerful vocals.

The Neumann KM 64 is a small diaphragm condenser microphone that should only be used in the recording studio. It isn't the type of microphone that you would want to use outside of the studio because it is fragile and old. The mic has a standard cardioid polar pick up pattern and will pick up frequencies between 40 Hz and 18 KHz. OVERALL OPINION The Neumann KM 64 is quite a rare microphone as it definitely isn't one of the most accessible mics that Neumann has to offer. It is similar in sound and in look to many of the small diaphragm condensers that Neumann has put out throughout the years like the KM 84s and the 184s, but does have a slightly different tone. Like other small diaphragm condensers, the KM 64 is best for recording acoustic instruments and for any application where you would want a good amount of high end presence in your tone. I've only used the KM 64 for acoustic guitar as I haven't had the chance to use this mic extensively, but I can say for sure that this mic is useful way beyond just this applications. I'll also say that as far as using this microphone for recording acoustic guitar goes, it has been one of my favorite mics for this applications. I find that I'm able to get a smooth and silky sound that both cuts through the mix and sits in its place very well. These mics are hard to find as I've only come across the single one that I have used in a recording studio and haven't seen any other ones out there. The KM 64 isn't the type of mic that you seek out, rather it seeks you out and hopefully you are lucky enough to stumble upon one of these as it is a really special mic. Neumann is the best at what they do and the KM 64 is a great example of the fine craftsmanship that they have to offer.

The Neumann KM 54 is a large diaphragm tube condenser microphone that is suitable for a number of different applications. The mic isn't suitable for live shows at it is old and fragile and needs to be treated with the utmost of care. The mic has a standard cardioid polar pick up pattern and comes with a power supply that is unique to this and maybe a few other microphones. OVERALL OPINION Both in sound and in looks, the Neumann KM 54 reminds me of an AKG C12 which is generally known as one of the best tube microphones ever made. While they do have both their differences and similarities, both are outstanding microphones. The KM 54 is no longer made and is probably one of the rarest Neumann microphones that I have the privilege of using. I don't have extensive experience with the KM 54, but I've used it a few times to record vocal parts both for myself and for a client and in both instances I was extremely impressed. Neumann is the best in the business when it comes to manufacturing and designing high end microphones and the KM 54 is definitely a fine example of the craftsmanship that they are capable of. The KM 54 has both a warm and a wide tone that is perfect for picking up the subtleties in the human voice, whether it be for a male or a female. While it isn't as clean sounding as some of the newer Neumann tube microphones, where it lacks in clarity it makes up in character. I hope in the future I'm able to try the KM 54 on some other instruments as I think it is a special microphone that can definitely be versatile, I just need to try out and prove this theory. Like all Neumann microphones, the KM 54 is expensive but this one is definitely harder to find than most out there. For this reason I wouldn't advise seeking one out, but if you come across one either for purchase or in a studio, definitely consider trying it out.