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Average Price: $200

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$100

$401+

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Description

The Neat Microphones King Bee is not just a microphone; it's a sonic powerhouse designed for the discerning studio professional. This large-diaphragm condenser mic boasts Class A circuitry that ensures low noise and high sensitivity, capturing every nuance of your sound with remarkable clarity. Whether you're recording the soulful timbre of a vocalist or the intricate resonance of strings and woodwinds, the King Bee stands as a versatile tool ready to meet the challenge with precision.

Engineered for accuracy, its gold-sputtered capsule delivers a transparent and natural sound, making it ideal for a variety of applications, from vocals and drums to acoustic instruments. The King Bee's defined midrange and velvety low end enrich your recordings with depth and warmth, while its crystal-clear presence brings out the best in every performance. The included Honeycomb pop filter and Beekeeper shockmount further enhance your recording experience by managing plosives and vibrations, ensuring your tracks remain pristine.

With its striking design and robust build, the King Bee adds both style and substance to your studio setup. Whether you're a budding artist or a seasoned professional, this mic is poised to become an indispensable part of your recording arsenal.

Key Features:

  • Large-diaphragm condenser with Class A electronics for low noise
  • Gold-sputtered capsule for clear, natural sound
  • Honeycomb pop filter and Beekeeper shockmount included
  • Requires +48V phantom power
  • Velvet storage bag for protection
  • User guide for easy operation

Product specs

Brand Neat Microphones
Model King Bee
Finish Black/Yellow
Year 2010s
Categories Microphones

FAQs

What is the polar pattern of the Neat Microphones King Bee?

The Neat Microphones King Bee features a cardioid polar pattern, which is ideal for capturing sound directly in front of the microphone while minimizing noise from the sides and rear.

Is the Neat Microphones King Bee suitable for recording vocals?

Yes, the Neat Microphones King Bee is well-suited for recording vocals, offering a warm and detailed sound that captures the nuances of vocal performances.

What type of power does the Neat Microphones King Bee require?

The Neat Microphones King Bee requires 48V phantom power, which is commonly supplied by most audio interfaces and mixers.

How would you describe the sound signature of the Neat Microphones King Bee?

The Neat Microphones King Bee has a warm and smooth sound signature, making it ideal for capturing detailed vocals and instruments with clarity and depth.

Does the Neat Microphones King Bee come with any accessories?

Yes, the Neat Microphones King Bee typically comes with a shock mount and a pop filter, which help reduce unwanted noise and improve recording quality.

Podcastage

Podcastage

NEAT King Bee Condenser Mic Review / Test

Video thumbnail for NEAT King Bee Condenser Mic Review / Test by Podcastage

NEAT King Bee Condenser Mic Review / Test

Podcastage

Podcastage

Video thumbnail for Neat Microphones King Bee vs Worker Bee Microphone - Sound Speeds Review by Sound Speeds

Neat Microphones King Bee vs Worker Bee Microphone - Sound Speeds Review

Sound Speeds

Sound Speeds

Video thumbnail for Neat King Bee Condenser Microphone Review / Test (Could this be the best $99 Condenser Mic???) by Audio Hotline

Neat King Bee Condenser Microphone Review / Test (Could this be the best $99 Condenser Mic???)

Audio Hotline

Audio Hotline

Video thumbnail for Neat Microphones - King Bee Condenser Microphone Test / Review by Obscure Mics

Neat Microphones - King Bee Condenser Microphone Test / Review

Obscure Mics

Obscure Mics

Reviews

PROS

  • Unique design that stands out in any setup

  • Comes with extensive accessories: cases, shock mount, pop filter

  • Excellent sound quality for a variety of vocal types and instruments

  • Affordable price for the quality offered

  • Ideal for voice acting and podcasting applications

CONS

  • Black and yellow design complicates reading polar patterns and frequency response

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Neat Microphones King Bee.

Build quality

  • Some King Bee II units had a temporary manufacturing adhesive smell that dissipates after a few days.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The King Bee II is described as deeper and smoother compared to the Worker Bee, with a larger capsule for better bass response.

    Source
  • The NT1 is described by some as having a harsh, metallic sound, particularly around the 5-6kHz range.

    Source
  • It's noted that the NT1's sound can vary due to different capsules used over its production history.

    Source
  • Some users compare the King Bee's appearance to a prop rather than traditional studio gear, contrasting its aesthetic with conventional microphone designs.

    Source

User experience

  • The King Bee II is noted for its significant weight and unconventional appearance, which can surprise users.

    Source
  • Owners report the King Bee II is exceptionally quiet, with minimal self-noise, making it preferable to mics like the Rode M3, which exhibits a slight hiss.

    Source
  • Some users find the microphone's default color scheme limiting for setups that require visual cohesion, hinting at the need for aesthetic customization options.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The King Bee II is praised for its value, being inexpensive yet maintaining high sound quality akin to more expensive models.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The King Bee II's larger capsule is theorized to provide better bass response than the NT1.

    Source
  • The King Bee is noted for its unique design, which some find excessive, making it more suitable as a visual prop for kitschy videocasts.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • It's noted that some King Bee II units have a grounding issue due to internal paint, which can be fixed by scraping the paint for better continuity.

    Source
  • The included pop filter may be inadequate, and users suggest replacing it for better performance. Removing the stock filter requires a firm grip on the mic's "neck."

    Source
  • Owners recommend positioning the diaphragm at eye level to mitigate plosive issues when using the King Bee without a pop filter.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The King Bee II is described as having a warm and pleasant sound for voice-over work but struggles with high frequencies when recording music.

    Source
  • Users mention potential issues with plosives, even off-axis, suggesting careful placement or pop filter use is crucial for voice recording.

    Source
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 3 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
va_nutshell

Weird Looking But Impressive!

I love how many accessories you get when you buy this mic brand-new: two carrying cases, a shock mount, pop filter, and detailed documentation. Unfortunately, the weird black and yellow visual motif makes it a lot harder to read the polar patterns and frequency response for this mic. Still, it's an awesome mic for voice acting and podcasting that probably won't be this cheap for long. Read our full review:

From Gear Setup
polygecko

Sweet sound!

Really tasty microphone. I've used it on a couple different vocal types, guitars and drum overhead (mono) and it sounds really great. I would highly recommended.

Genre Usage

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va_nutshell

va_nutshell

Gear IQ 195

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    Gear IQ 120