Neumann
Neumann KM 84
Small-diaphragm condenser, cardioid; the first phantom-powered mic (1966), discontinued
Power Phantom P48, 48 V ± 4 V (DIN 45 596).
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −40 dBV/Pa computed
- Self-noise
- 17 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 40%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 41%
- Max SPL
- 120 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 3%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 3%
- Rated range
- 40 – 20k Hz
- Released
- 1966
vs 104 end-address condensers
Quieter than 43% 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 0% 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.
Instruments sources recommend it for most
5 of 17; all under Recommended for.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the manual (Recording Hacks copy), p. 16.
Titled "Frequency Responses and Polar Patterns" (p. 16); relative dB, the curve marked at 1 kHz. Distance and room not stated. Dashed tolerance lines either side (not stored).
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
In practice
All specs
| From the manual (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
|---|---|---|
| The table lists KM 83 i / KM 84 i / KM 85 i / KMS 84 i (pp. 14-15); this is the KM 84 i column. | ||
| Capsule | pressure-gradient transducer | p. 15 |
| Sensitivity | −40 dBV/Pa (10 mV/Pa)1 kHz. Not stated by the manufacturer: Stated as 10 mV/Pa; converted: 20·log10(0.010) = -40. | |
| Self-noise | 17 dB(A)IEC 179. | |
| Self-noiseCCIR 468 | 28 dBCCIR 468-1 (1976). | |
| Max SPL | 120 dB SPL0.5% THD at 1 kHz, without pre-attenuation; also 130 dB SPL, with pre-attenuation. Both lines of the table read "mit Vordämpfung" in German; the English gives the second as "with pre-attenuation", so the first is taken as without. THD of the amplifier at the capsule output for that SPL. | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 70 dBDIN 45 590, re 1 Pa. | |
| Output impedance | 200 ohmswitchable (by soldering) to 50 ohm. | |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmminimum; 250 ohm at the 50 ohm setting. | |
| Rated frequency range | 40 Hz to 20 kHz | |
| Powering | phantom P48, 48 V ± 4 V (DIN 45 596) | |
| Current draw | 0.4 mA | |
| Pad | −10 dBOverload protection switch (pre-attenuation); 10 dB from the max SPL rows. | p. 4 |
| Weight | 80 g | p. 15 |
| Dimensions | 21 × 110 mmDiameter × length, version with Switchcraft (XLR) connector; 21 × 100 mm with a Binder connector. | |
| Connector | Two versions: Switchcraft (XLR-3) or Binder | |
| Battery supply | At least 15 hours on a BS 945 i battery supply | |
| From the Recording Hacks page | ||
| Released | 1966 | |
Documents
- Operating instructions for the condenser microphones KM 83 i, KM 84 i, KM 85 i and KMS 84 i
- Neumann KM 84 | RecordingHacks.com
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Neumann, unchanged, with its original address.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.
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