Neumann
Neumann KM 183
Small-diaphragm condenser, omni (pressure); free-field equalised with a treble lift, flat in the diffuse field
Power Phantom P48, 48 V ± 4 V (IEC 1938).
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Omni
- Sensitivity
- −38.4 dBV/Pa computed
- Self-noise
- 13 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 67%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 68%
- 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
- Released
- 1999
vs 104 end-address condensers
Quieter than 79% 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 (Recording Hacks copy), p. 5.
Free field, IEC 60268-4 (as printed on the page). Distance not stated. The solid curve is the nominal response; the dashed lines are its tolerance band.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the manual (Recording Hacks copy), p. 5.
Free field, IEC 60268-4. 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 (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
|---|---|---|
| The table lists KM 183/KM 184/KM 185; this is the first value. | ||
| Sensitivity | −38.4 dBV/Pa (12 mV/Pa)1 kHz into 1 kohm; ± 1 dB. Not stated by the manufacturer: Stated as 12 mV/Pa; converted: 20·log10(0.012) = -38.4. | p. 4 |
| Self-noise | 13 dB(A)IEC 61672-1 A-weighting, RMS. | |
| Self-noiseCCIR 468 | 24 dBCCIR 468-3, quasi peak. | |
| Max SPL | 140 dB SPL0.5% THD. THD of the mic amplifier at an input equal to the capsule output at that SPL. | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 81 dBre 94 dB SPL, A-weighted; also 70 dB, re 94 dB SPL, CCIR 468-3. | |
| Output impedance | 50 ohmrated impedance | |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmrated load impedance | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHzTolerance not stated in the table; the response graph shows a band of about ± 2 dB around the nominal curve. | |
| Powering | phantom P48, 48 V ± 4 V (IEC 1938) | |
| Current draw | 3.2 mA | |
| Connector | XLR-3 maleMatching connector XLR 3F (p. 4); pin 2 hot. | p. 2 |
| Weight | 80 gapprox. | p. 4 |
| Dimensions | 22 × 107 mmDiameter × length. | |
| Finish | nickel (ni) or matte black (mt) | p. 2 |
| Supplied accessories | SG 21 bk swivel mount; WNS 100 windscreen (black)The 2008 catalog (p. 3) says SG 21/17 mt stand mount and the WNS 100. | |
| Max. output voltage | 10 dBu | p. 4 |
| Cat. No. | KM 183 (nickel) 08437; KM 183 mt (black) 08438 | p. 2 |
| Pin assignment | Pin 1: 0 V/ground; Pin 2: Modulation (+phase); Pin 3: Modulation (–phase) | |
| Battery operation | At least 20 hours on a BS 48 i battery unit | p. 3 |
| From the catalog (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
| Capsule | small-diaphragm pressure capsule"The KM 183 is a pressure transducer". | p. 2 |
| Response | Boost of approximately 7 dB at 10 kHz in the free field; flat in the diffuse sound field | |
| Stereo set Cat. No. | KM 183 008522; KM 183 mt 008521 | p. 3 |
| Optional accessories | EA 2124 A mt elastic suspension; MNV 21 mt auditorium hanger; PS 15 popscreen; WS 100 windscreen | |
| ApplicationsNeumann | Close miking in a balanced acoustic (acoustic guitar, wind, strings, percussion, drums); AB stereo pair (flat in the diffuse field); main mic for room sound; baffle stereo; spot mic for piano, wind, organ, choir | p. 6 |
| From the Recording Hacks page | ||
| Released | 1999 | |
Documents
- Series 180 user manual (KM 183, KM 184, KM 185), publ. 01/10
- Series 180 product information (catalog), publ. 01/08
- Neumann KM 183 | RecordingHacks.com
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Neumann, unchanged, with its original address.
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