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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

What is the primary application of the Neumann KM 84 microphone?

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.

What is the polar pattern of the Neumann KM 84 and why is it important?

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.

How does the Neumann KM 84 differ from the KM 184?

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.

Is the Neumann KM 84 suitable for live performances?

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.

What type of electronics does the Neumann KM 84 use?

The Neumann KM 84 uses analog, solid-state electronics, which contribute to its renowned natural and detailed sound reproduction.

soundpurestudios

soundpurestudios

Microphone Shootout: Vintage Neumann KM84 vs Neumann KM184 vs Peluso P84

Video thumbnail for Microphone Shootout: Vintage Neumann KM84 vs Neumann KM184 vs Peluso P84 by soundpurestudios

Microphone Shootout: Vintage Neumann KM84 vs Neumann KM184 vs Peluso P84

soundpurestudios

soundpurestudios

Video thumbnail for Soyuz Su-011 vs Neumann KM84 by ProfessorDan

Soyuz Su-011 vs Neumann KM84

ProfessorDan

ProfessorDan

Video thumbnail for microphone comparison: Neumann KM84 vs. Schoeps MK4 on acoustic guitar by Robert Hasleder

microphone comparison: Neumann KM84 vs. Schoeps MK4 on acoustic guitar

Robert Hasleder

Robert Hasleder

Video thumbnail for Neumann U87 vs KM84 on vocals by ProfessorDan

Neumann U87 vs KM84 on vocals

ProfessorDan

ProfessorDan

Video thumbnail for Talking Microphones w/Joel Cameron (Neumann KM84, Coles 4038, U47 Clone) by Jon Meyer Music

Talking Microphones w/Joel Cameron (Neumann KM84, Coles 4038, U47 Clone)

Jon Meyer Music

Jon Meyer Music

Video thumbnail for Recording acoustic guitars comparison Neumann Km84 vs AKG 451-B vs DPA 4011-TL (No talk) by Javi Peña

Recording acoustic guitars comparison Neumann Km84 vs AKG 451-B vs DPA 4011-TL (No talk)

Javi Peña

Javi Peña

Video thumbnail for Neumann KM84 vs. Line Audio CM4 on acoustic guitar by Robert Hasleder

Neumann KM84 vs. Line Audio CM4 on acoustic guitar

Robert Hasleder

Robert Hasleder

Video thumbnail for Vintage Neumann KM84 - Best Overhead Mic? by Max Bauhof

Vintage Neumann KM84 - Best Overhead Mic?

Max Bauhof

Max Bauhof

Reviews

PROS

  • Exceptional for acoustic guitar, beats U87 and 414 in quality

  • Natural sound and level of detail surpass AKG 451Es and Gefell 300s

  • Smooth top end, makes hats and cymbals sit perfectly in mixes

  • Provides full-bodied, detailed, and organic sound across various instruments

  • More feedback resistant on stage compared to other high-end mics

  • Less hyped high frequencies than other small diaphragm condensers (SDCs)

  • Versatile, amazing on drums, guitar, vocals, and more with unique room vibe capturing

CONS

  • Higher self noise than some modern microphones

  • Not ideal for low level applications or distant mic situations due to self noise

  • 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

  • Warm Audio WA-84 is a budget-friendly clone of Neumann KM 84, with reviews noting it's not identical but gets close.

    Source
  • Advanced Audio's SDCs and Micparts models are creatively modeled after KM 84, often compared favorably to KM 184.

    Source
  • sE Electronics sE8 and Lewitt pencil microphones are suggested alternatives for those seeking high-quality sound without the KM 84's price.

    Source
  • The WA84 has a transformer like the KM84, offering a warmer tone compared to the KM184, which lacks this feature.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Micparts uses KM 84 and Schoeps circuits in their large diaphragm FETs, offering notable versatility in sound.

    Source
  • For live sound applications, the WA84 runs hot, requiring users to keep the gate much lower than with other small diaphragm condensers.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Modeling mics like Antelope Edge Note can emulate KM 84, offering diverse miking methods and sound possibilities.

    Source
  • Correct mic positioning is crucial; even budget mics can yield excellent results with proper placement and post-production tweaks.

    Source
  • Users playing traditional American fiddle found that the WA84, when used with an SSL2 interface, captured an accurate and pleasing tone.

    Source
Add

5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 6 Ratings

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1 star
charlie_hurst

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.

xaqary

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!

jimmarchi1

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
See how Phil Rudd uses Neumann KM 84

Phil Rudd

Drummer

AC/DC

...
Verified via Soundonsound

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.

See how Dolores O'Riordan uses Neumann KM 84

Dolores O'Riordan

Singer, Guitarist

The Cranberries

...
Verified via Soundonsound

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."

See how Ray LaMontagne uses Neumann KM 84

Ray LaMontagne

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Uberproaudio

According to Uber Pro Audio a Neumann KM 84 is part of LaMontagne's equipment.

See how Charlie Burchill uses Neumann KM 84

Charlie Burchill

Guitarist

Simple Minds

...
Verified via Soundonsound

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."

See how Oz Noy uses Neumann KM 84

Oz Noy

Guitarist

...
Verified via Oz Noy

Oz Noy lists all of his current gear, including this one on his website.

See how M. Ward uses Neumann KM 84

M. Ward

Singer, Guitarist

She & Him

...
Verified via EMusician

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.

See how Neil Tennant uses Neumann KM 84

Neil Tennant

Singer

Pet Shop Boys

...
Verified via Photo

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.

See how Whitney Houston uses Neumann KM 84

Whitney Houston

Singer

...
Verified via Mixonline

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".

See how Paul Epworth uses Neumann KM 84

Paul Epworth

Keyboardist

Band Aid 30

...
Verified via Soundonsound

"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."

J

Joakim

Music Producer, DJ

...
Verified via CROWDSPACER STUDIO NYC

According to a list of equipment which is used in his studio, Crowdspacer, Joakim is also a user of Neumann KM84.

See how Uwe Schmidt uses Neumann KM 84

Uwe Schmidt

Composer, Music Producer

...
Verified via Soundonsound

"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."

See how Ulrich Wild uses Neumann KM 84

Ulrich Wild

Music Producer, Audio Engineer

Deftones

...
Verified via YouTube

In the video titled "Static-X 'Push It': Inside the Song w/ Ulrich Wild - Warren Huart: Produce Like A Pro," Ulrich Wild mentions at 9:49 that he used a Neumann KM 84 microphone for recording the hi-hats on the track "Push It."

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.

Shure SM57
Shure SM57 Dynamic Microphones
12
Neumann U87
Neumann U87 Condenser Microphones
10
Neumann U47 FET
Neumann U47 FET Condenser Microphones
8
Sennheiser MD 421-II
Sennheiser MD 421-II Dynamic Microphones
7
Neumann U67
Neumann U67 Condenser Microphones
5
dbx 160
dbx 160 Effects Processors
4
AKG D12
AKG D12 Dynamic Microphones
3
Avalon U5
Avalon U5 Direct Boxes
3
AMS Neve 1073
AMS Neve 1073 Preamps & Channel Strips
3

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