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Average Price: $1,750
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$401+
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Description
Discover the Neumann KM 84, a coveted small diaphragm FET condenser microphone that's a genuine classic in the world of music recording. Born out of a unique request by the Norwegian State Television in the mid-1960s for smaller, transistor-based microphones, the KM 84 is renowned for its revolutionary phantom power, an innovation that set a new standard in the industry.
Crafted with the KK 64 capsule from the tube-amplified KM 64 microphone, the KM 84 produces a near-perfect cardioid pattern, maintaining an exceptional frequency response even 130-degrees off-axis. This results in a strikingly natural sound, free of comb-filtered artifacts caused by other instrument bleed.
The KM 84's high headroom FET and transformer-output amplifier, together with its switchable -10dB pad, makes it an ideal choice for close miking of drums, particularly snare drum, recording even the hottest of signal sources with ease.
Key Features:
- Born out of a unique request for small, transistor-based microphones
- Revolutionary phantom power for seamless operation
- Uses the KK 64 capsule from the tube-amplified KM 64 microphone
- Near-perfect cardioid pattern maintains frequency response even 130-degrees off-axis
- High headroom FET and transformer-output amplifier
- Switchable -10dB pad for recording hot signal sources
- Ideal for close miking of drums, particularly snare drum
- All "i" designation microphones come with an XLR output connector for export to the US
- KM 84 (no i) is electrically the same but comes with a din-type Tuchel connector for the output
Product specs
| Brand | Neumann |
| Model | KM 84 Small Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone |
| Finish | Matte Black, Nickel |
| Year | 1966 - 1992 |
| Made In | Germany |
| Categories | Microphones |
| Electronics | Analog, Solid State |
| Microphone Type | Small-Diaphragm Condenser |
| Polar Pattern | Cardioid |
| Wired/Wireless | Wired |
FAQs
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What is the primary application of the Neumann KM 84 microphone?
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The Neumann KM 84 is renowned for its smooth and natural sound, making it ideal for recording classical music, drum overheads, snare drums, acoustic guitars, and pianos. Its versatility also suits a range of acoustic instruments and ensemble recordings.
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What is the polar pattern of the Neumann KM 84 and why is it important?
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The Neumann KM 84 features a cardioid polar pattern, which is crucial for isolating the sound source while minimizing ambient noise and room reflections, making it excellent for studio recordings.
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How does the Neumann KM 84 differ from the KM 184?
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The Neumann KM 84, produced from 1966 to 1992, is known for its warm, natural sound, whereas the KM 184 offers a slightly different tone and response. Engineers choose between them based on specific recording needs.
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Is the Neumann KM 84 suitable for live performances?
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While primarily designed for studio use, the Neumann KM 84 can also be employed in live settings due to its robust build and excellent sound isolation capabilities provided by its cardioid pattern.
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What type of electronics does the Neumann KM 84 use?
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The Neumann KM 84 uses analog, solid-state electronics, which contribute to its renowned natural and detailed sound reproduction.
Videos
soundpurestudios
Microphone Shootout: Vintage Neumann KM84 vs Neumann KM184 vs Peluso P84
Reviews
PROS
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Exceptional for acoustic guitar, beats U87 and 414 in quality
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Natural sound and level of detail surpass AKG 451Es and Gefell 300s
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Smooth top end, makes hats and cymbals sit perfectly in mixes
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Provides full-bodied, detailed, and organic sound across various instruments
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More feedback resistant on stage compared to other high-end mics
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Less hyped high frequencies than other small diaphragm condensers (SDCs)
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Versatile, amazing on drums, guitar, vocals, and more with unique room vibe capturing
CONS
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Higher self noise than some modern microphones
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Not ideal for low level applications or distant mic situations due to self noise
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Can require effort to find the magic spot in a room for optimal sound capture
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Neumann KM 84.
Comparisons
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Warm Audio WA-84 is a budget-friendly clone of Neumann KM 84, with reviews noting it's not identical but gets close.
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Advanced Audio's SDCs and Micparts models are creatively modeled after KM 84, often compared favorably to KM 184.
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sE Electronics sE8 and Lewitt pencil microphones are suggested alternatives for those seeking high-quality sound without the KM 84's price.
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The WA84 has a transformer like the KM84, offering a warmer tone compared to the KM184, which lacks this feature.
Source
Features and functionality
Use cases and applications
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Modeling mics like Antelope Edge Note can emulate KM 84, offering diverse miking methods and sound possibilities.
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Correct mic positioning is crucial; even budget mics can yield excellent results with proper placement and post-production tweaks.
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Users playing traditional American fiddle found that the WA84, when used with an SSL2 interface, captured an accurate and pleasing tone.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 6 Ratings
618
Incredible sounding mics
I have a pair of these (not matched) that were picked up on eBay and required a bit of love to get them back to their best. They sound amazing on lots of sources. Less hyped HF than some other SDC's. Bit more self noise than some more modern mics but well worth having in the locker.
5455
Matched pair-Story of love & a love of different applications.
Fuck...I'd writen a thoughtful review & it got erarsed. I'll cover the main thoughts & it'll likely be better anyway....Yup, an XY on Drums or awesome on a stereo acoustic guitar. I gotta be honest I've used them less like I'd expected & found myself chasing a roomo vibe with these guys. From this pair I keep moving & moving to find that magic spot in the room (yes, usually on drums but it's all over tons of tracks-guitar, elect guit, Voxs, etc) to fill in where my other mics can't be. Blending mics. Like to catch evil reflections off a hard surface like glass. Endless fun
That said? Sounds on he standard applications of these guys is amazing...I can think of others that'd I'd like but I'll never give them up & that's largely cuz when I can chase room on a drum set or a guitar cab & if I watch the phase I've got fantastic sounds. Enjoy the fun!
41029
these guys and the much cheaper rode NT5s used to be my go to acoustic guitar sound in stereo or singly... although when we were doing my band's record backin the day the engineer I hired blew my mind on a mono track by shooting out one of these, a 451, an nt5 and a lowly oktava mk03 with the regular old card capsule on it and the oktava totally won that day and only got better with some summit tla whacking down the peaks. It was a weird part though, all wound strings in drop D with weird inside voicings and theyw anted me to play it chilling on a sofa in the lounge like when we were talking about the song the day before.... off on a tangent, but you are lucky to own a pair of km84s, I could enver afford them and had to settle a lot for the rodes in my arsenal when I was working. These are really good to tighten up echo chamber recordings too where you would be thinking LDC, M49 or C12 cap all the way but things are actually too sloshy but too stylized printing EQ and compression to control it. Like, bang, KM84, problem solved.
Artist usage
Add artist
The overheads were Neumann 87 or 47, and on the hi?hat I used a Neumann KM84, which gives a nice crisp sound, but also has enough body in it. There is some tone to the hi?hat and you don't want to get rid of it and have just this ticky?ticky sound.
According to Mike Fraser, mix engineer, Rudd used this mic for the overhead.
Used for O'Riordan's guitar on "Linger", as mentioned by producer Stephen Street in this March 2018 Sound on Sound interview.
Even though signed to Island, the Cranberries were still working with a limited budget on the album sessions, meaning that the acoustic guitar part on 'Linger' was recorded with the nearest instrument to hand: namely a cheap Yamaha acoustic owned by O'Riordan. "Sometimes when I was working with alternative or indie bands," says Street, "you just had to work with what you had. If there was a budget to hire more guitars, great. But I don't think we had that at that point. Especially being over in Dublin at the time, we did just work with the guitars they owned.
"I would put a Neumann U87 in front of the guitar, between the 12th fret and the hole. And sometimes I might have something like a KM84 further up towards the neck, just to see if it put a little bit of extra 'air' into it. Sometimes I would split those separate tracks a little bit in the mix, so although it was just one guitar, it gave it a little bit of spread across the stereo image."
According to Uber Pro Audio a Neumann KM 84 is part of LaMontagne's equipment.
In this Sound on Sound article on the recording of the Simple Minds album "Graffiti Soul", their producer Jez Coad describes the gear used to capture Charlie Burchill's guitar sound:
"Three Matchless amplifiers were used for Charlie Burchill's guitars, each miked with a Shure SM57 and a Sennheiser 421. The central amp projected the "main raw guitar sound”, while the two on either side were operating in stereo and projecting whatever effects Charlie was stomping on at the time.
"You got the best of all worlds,” explains Jez Coad, "You got all the power in the middle, and then you got all the lovely, diffused, echoey chorus and any other kind of modulation coming out of the two side ones, so we could balance the amount of power to the amount of sort of psychedelia going on!” A pair of Neumann KM84s was also placed 15 feet away from the amps to capture room ambience."
Used for the acoustic guitar on Volume 3, as mentioned in this April 15, 2015 Electronic Musician interview.
Ward’s electric was double-amped through a Fender Deluxe and a Silvertone that [producer Pierre] De Reeder miked with SM57s, the idea being that the two amp sounds could be selected, blended or panned at will. Ward’s acoustic went to a Neumann KM84.
According to engineer David Jacob in an interview about "West End Girls" published in the March 1986 issue of International Musician & Recording World magazine, he used a Neumann KM 84 microphone on Neil's voice to record the verses of that song, while a Neumann U87 was utilised for the choruses.
According to Mix Magazine, Whitney Houston was "using a variety of microphones, including a Neumann KM-84 on the hi-hat" for her song "I Wanna Dance With Somebody Who Love Me".
"I don't ever use dynamic mics on a drum kit if I can help it: it'll either be ribbons or condensers. The exception would be an [Electro?voice] RE20 inside the kick, but I tend to try to use a [Neumann] U87 or 47 outside, and a Yamaha NS10 driver on the bottom. I try to line them up equidistant, so that theoretically it would always phase?align. I'll use [Neumann] KM84s on snare, top and bottom."
According to a list of equipment which is used in his studio, Crowdspacer, Joakim is also a user of Neumann KM84.
"For marimba and vibes I used the modern classical orchestra method of recording; placing the KM84s approximately 40 to 50 cm above the plates so that they captured the entire range of the instruments," recalls Uwe. "For some takes we also positioned a pair of the Studio Projects C3s under the marimba for a less percussive signal. We ended up with eight marimba signals which I mixed down to mono."
Album Usage
The Neumann KM 84 has been featured on the following albums:
I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)
Whitney Houston & Calum Scott (2025)
A Head Full of Dreams
Coldplay (2015)
Volume 3
She & Him (2013)
Graffiti Soul (Deluxe Edition)
Simple Minds (2009)
Black Ice
AC/DC (2008)
Bring It Back
McAlmont & Butler (2002)
Two Against Nature
Steely Dan (2000)
Mule Variations (Remastered)
Tom Waits (1999)
Livefields
Toto (1999)
This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours
Manic Street Preachers (1998)
The Colour And The Shape
Foo Fighters (1997)
The Sound Of McAlmont And Butler
McAlmont & Butler (1995)
Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?
The Cranberries (1993)
Linger
The Cranberries (1993)
Infamous Angel
Iris DeMent (1992)
Nevermind
Nirvana (1991)
West End Girls
Pet Shop Boys (1984)
Who Are You
The Who (1978)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Neumann KM 84, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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