Neumann
Neumann KM 131
Small-diaphragm condenser, omni (free-field equalised pressure capsule): the AK 31 active capsule on the KM 100 output stage; discontinued
Power Phantom P48, 48 V ± 4 V (IEC 61938).
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Omni
- Sensitivity
- −38.4 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 44%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 61%
- Self-noise
- 16 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 45%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 46%
- Max SPL
- 140 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 62%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 56%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
vs 75 end-address condensers
More output than 41% of 75 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-address condenser with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
vs 104 end-address condensers
Quieter than 48% of 104 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-address condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 110 end-address condensers
Takes louder sound than 64% of 110 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-address condenser with a published max SPL, and each bar counts them; further right means it takes louder sound. This mic is in blue.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the manual, p. 7.
Free field, IEC 60268-4 ("gemessen im freien Schallfeld nach IEC 60268-4 / measured in free-field conditions", printed under the first graph of the page; the 2012 brochure adds "tolerance ± 2 dB"). Distance not stated.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the manual, p. 7.
Free field (as the response). Each curve is drawn on one side only (125 Hz to 1 kHz left, 2 to 16 kHz right); the pattern is taken as symmetric.
In practice
All specs
| From the manual | ||
|---|---|---|
| 5 lists KM 120, 130, 131, 143, 140, 145 and 150; this is the KM 131 column (the 2012 brochure, p. | ||
| Capsule | AK 31 active capsule: free-field equalised pressure transducer (the impedance converter sits in the capsule housing)"AK 31 is a free-field equalized pressure transducer. The sensitivity in the free sound field is flat up to 20 kHz. In the diffuse sound field there is a roll-off above 5 kHz." | p. 3 |
| Sensitivity | −38.4 dBV/Pa (12 mV/Pa)1 kHz into 1 kohm rated load. Stated as 12 mV/Pa; converted: 20·log10(0.012) = -38.4. The table on p. 11, gives the same). | p. 5 |
| Self-noise | 16 dB(A)IEC 60268-1, A-weighting IEC 61672-1, RMS. "16 dB-A". The table on p. 11, gives the same). | |
| Self-noiseCCIR 468 | 25 dBCCIR 468-3, quasi peak. The table on p. 11, gives the same). | |
| Max SPL | 140 dB SPLless than 0.5% THD; also 150 dB SPL, with preattenuation. "THD of microphone amplifier at an input voltage equivalent to the capsule output at the specified SPL." The table on p. 11, gives the same). | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 78 dBre 94 dB SPL, A-weighted; also 69 dB, re 94 dB SPL, CCIR 468-3. The table on p. 11, gives the same). | |
| Dynamic range | 124 dBmicrophone amplifier, A-weighted. The table on p. 11, gives the same). | |
| Output impedance | 50 ohmrated impedance | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHzThe 2012 brochure (p. 10) adds "measured in free-field conditions (IEC 60268-4), tolerance ± 2 dB" for the graphs. | |
| Current draw | 2 mA | |
| Pad | −10 dBRecessed slide switch on the KM 100 output stage; "Attenuation is achieved by reducing the capsule voltage to one third of nominal." | p. 4 |
| Connector | XLR-3 maleOn the KM 100 output stage; matching connector XLR3F (brochure p. 11). | p. 2 |
| Weight | 80 g | p. 5 |
| Dimensions | 22 × 92 mm"92 x 22 mm" (L x ø): diameter × length, capsule on the output stage. The active capsule alone is about 35 mm long (p. 2). | |
| Finish | matt black"blk" for the AK 31 and the KM 100 output stage. | p. 3 |
| Build | Two parts that unscrew: the AK 31 active capsule (Cat. No. 69002) and the KM 100 output stage (Cat. No. 07395); the capsule can be used up to 50 m from the output stage on a 3 mm cable (LC 3 KA) | p. 2 |
| Polaritymanual | Pin 2 hot in the pin table (p. 2); the note on unbalanced operation (p. 4) says pin 3 is hot with the KM 100 output stage | |
| From the catalog | ||
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmrated load impedance | p. 11 |
| Powering | phantom P48, 48 V ± 4 V (IEC 61938)The manual (p. 5) gives P48, IEC 61938, without the tolerance. | |
| Max. output voltage | 10 dBu | |
| SBK 130 A sphere | Optional sound diffraction sphere (Cat. No. 008612) that slips over the KM 130/KM 131: up to 2.5 dB lift between 2 and 10 kHz from the front, up to 2.5 dB cut above 5 kHz from the rear; 40 mm diameter, about 30 g | p. 4 |
| UseNeumann | Close miking of instruments where extraneous sound needn't be rejected, in a balanced acoustic: acoustic guitar, wind, strings, percussion, drums; spot mic | p. 9 |
Documents
- Operating Instructions System KM 100, Publ. 10/2011 (074937/A06), German/English
- System KM 100 brochure, English, Publ. 03/12058160/A06
- Neumann-Information 90017: Die Schallbeugungskugel SBK 130 zum Aufstecken auf die Druckmikrophone KM 130 und KM 131October 1991, German
- KM 131, neumann.com historical products
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Neumann, unchanged, with its original address.
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