Neumann KM 184 Small Diaphragm Mic Stereo Pair - Matte Black

The Neumann KM 184 Cardioid Mic has become the iconic high-quality miniature microphone. It is now available here in an attractive stereo set for your audio gear.

The "Series 180" contains three compact miniature microphones with amazing variety of polar patterns that satisfy the demands of every commonly used studio application for guitar and more audio needs.

Because of its well-created mechanical construction and conscious exclusion of modularity, which is no longer needed in many cases, this "Series 180" was created for economy-minded production and home recording gear.

The KM 183 omnidirectional and KM 185 hypercardioid condenser microphones are based on the iconic and successful KM 184 cardioid mic, which has recently become a standard requirement within the global studio community in a short time. All "Series 180" Neumann microphones are now available with either nickel finish or matte black.

Studio Applications

Their slender shapes and the memorable transmission characteristics make the "Series 180" particularly suitable for a wide range of audio recording gear in the radio and television sector.

Acoustic Features

The Neumann KM 183 and KM 184 small diaphragm mics are the successors to the timeless KM 83 and KM 84, which have been used since the 70s worldwide with amazing success. The KM 185 now rounds out the Neumann series with a hypercardioid microphone.

The Neumann KM 183 is a timeless pressure transducer with a boost of nearly 7 dB at 10 kHz in the free field. With the diffuse sound field, it has an entirely flat frequency response. The pressurized gradient transducers on the KM 184 and KM 185 condenser microphones feature smooth frequency responses not just for the 0° axis, but also for lateral ,off-axis, sound incidence. With typical usage, there is no change in the coloration of sound over a wide pickup angle.

Even though the KM 184 small diaphragm mic has the same capsule as the Neumann KM 84, the microphone contrasts slightly on the 0° frequency response: The Neumann KM 184 condenser has a gentle rise at roughly 9 kHz, a characteristic that was first introduced successfully with the KM 140. The overall result is a tonal balance that will be fresher and livelier than the KM 84 mic with its flat frequency response in the band.

This difference was fully achieved with a slight change of the capsule’s rear opening, and does not change resonances.

The Neumann KM 185 with its hypercardioid characteristic features amazing attenuation of sound incidence from the rear or side of about 10 dB, with the slightest sensitivity at an angle of 120°.

Electrical Features

The "Series 180" microphones have the transformerless circuitry used in the KM 100 system, which helps in producing its excellent technical specifications:

Compared to the Neumann KM 84 the dynamic range of KM 184 increased by 24 dB primarily through the reduction of noise level to nearly 22 dB (CCIR) and an increased the sound pressure handling capability of up to approximately 138 dB.

The Neumann microphones operate without any issues, even if the input of auxiliary equipment is unbalanced, for example as in some DAT studio recorders.

In general, you will find the output of the "Series 180", as in all Neumann microphones, is balanced and phantom (48V) powered.

Economy

The Neumann "Series 180" is a good choice for all guitars and other users who need a high-quality miniature mic, but do not need the complicated, modular KM 100 system, which does continue to be part of the Neumann product range.

The overall mechanical construction was simplified, for example, the capsule and output stage cannot be easily separated from each other. For this reason, the "Series 180" is an economical alternative without losing the electro-acoustic features the users need in their Neumann recording microphones.

Features:

• Three different miniature microphones for all typical studio applications
• Successor of the worldwide successful KM 83/84
• Transformerless circuitry