Neumann
Neumann KMR 81 i
Short shotgun condenser: a pressure-gradient capsule in an interference tube, supercardioid/lobe pattern; for film dialogue and ENG
Power Phantom P48, 48 V ± 4 V (IEC 61938).
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Switchable, 2
- Sensitivity
- −34.9 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 67%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 78%
- Self-noise
- 12 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 74%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 75%
- Max SPL
- 128 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 15%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 13%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
- Released
- 1983
vs 10 shotgun condensers
More output than 11% of 10 shotgun condensers.
Each stripe is one shotgun condenser with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
vs 15 shotgun condensers
Quieter than 64% of 15 shotgun condensers.
Each stripe is one shotgun condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 15 shotgun condensers
Takes louder sound than 36% of 15 shotgun condensers.
Each stripe is one shotgun 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. 5.
Free field, IEC 60268-4, tolerance ± 2 dB ("measured in free-field conditions (IEC 60268-4), tolerance ±2 dB", printed under the graph). 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. 5.
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. Switch settings not stated.
In practice
All specs
| From the manual | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | pressure-gradient capsule inside an acoustically open interference tube of high acoustic impedance, elastically suspended"the microphone capsule is located inside an interference tube which is acoustically open but has a high acoustic impedance"; "Finger noises are suppressed by the internal elastic suspension of the microphone capsule." | p. 2 |
| Sensitivity | −34.9 dBV/Pa (18 mV/Pa)1 kHz into 1 kohm rated load; ± 1 dB. Stated as 18 mV/Pa ± 1 dB; converted: 20·log10(0.018) = -34.9. | p. 4 |
| Self-noise | 12 dB(A)IEC 60268-1, A-weighting IEC 61672-1, RMS. "12 dB-A". | |
| Self-noiseCCIR 468 | 23 dBCCIR 468-3, quasi peak | |
| Max SPL | 128 dB SPL0.5% THD; also 138 dB SPL, with preattenuation. "THD of microphone amplifier at an input voltage equivalent to the capsule output at the specified SPL." The catalogue (p. 53) headlines "Max SPL 138 dB", the figure with the pad. | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 82 dBre 94 dB SPL, A-weighted; also 71 dB, re 94 dB SPL, CCIR 468-3 | |
| Dynamic range | 116 dB"corresponding to a 116 dB dynamic range" (12 dB-A to 128 dB). | p. 2 |
| Output impedance | 150 ohmrated impedance | p. 4 |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmrated load impedance | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz | |
| Powering | phantom P48, 48 V ± 4 V (IEC 61938) | |
| Current draw | 0.8 mA | |
| Low cut | off, on; 200 HzSlide switch: "approx. –15 dB at 50 Hz ... leaving the response above 200 Hz unchanged". The catalogue (p. 53): "A second switch activates a 200 Hz low cut to compensate for the proximity effect". | p. 2 |
| Pad | −10 dB"The high sensitivity (approx. 18 mV/Pa) may be attenuated by 10 dB by means of a built-in slide switch". | |
| Connector | XLR-3 maleMatching connector "XLR 3 F"; pin 2 +phase, pin 3 -phase, pin 1 ground (p. 3). | p. 4 |
| Weight | 145 g | |
| Dimensions | 21 × 226 mmDiameter 21 mm × length 226 mm. | |
| Finish | matt nickel (KMR 81 i) or matt black (KMR 81 i mt) | p. 2 |
| Supplied accessories | WS 81 foam windscreen; leather carrying bag"The microphone comes in a leather carring bag, including windshield WS 81." | |
| Max. output voltage | 1.3 dBu | p. 4 |
| Acoustic principle | Pressure gradient interference transducer | |
| Cat. No. | KMR 81 i (nickel) 006961; KMR 81 i mt (black) 006962 | p. 2 |
| WS 81 windscreen | Supplied foam windscreen: 15 dB wind noise attenuation, 2 dB at 15 kHz; 50 mm diameter, 195 mm long (Cat. No. 007268) | p. 7 |
| UseNeumann | Film dialogue and ENG at medium distance; stage pick-up; isolating instruments in orchestras and bands; outdoor reporting; conference podium | p. 2 |
| From the Recording Hacks page | ||
| Released | 1983 | |
Documents
- KMR 81 i Operating Instructions, German/English, Publ. 01/2011069264/A04
- Neumann Full catalog of Microphones, English, 05/2020576045/A04
- KMR 81 i, neumann.com product page
- Neumann KMR 81 i | RecordingHacks.com
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents), unchanged, with their original addresses. Each is © its publisher.