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Neumann BCM 104
Photo: Neumann, from its manual, p. 1.

Neumann

Neumann BCM 104

Large-diaphragm condenser broadcast microphone, cardioid, end-address, transformerless, with built-in pop screen, internal pad and low-cut switches, and elastic mount for a boom arm

Type
Condenser
Pattern
Cardioid
Sensitivity
−33.1 dBV/Pa
Self-noise
7 dB(A)
Max SPL
138 dB SPL
Impedance
50 Ω
Rated range
20 – 20k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the manual, p. 12. 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. Pad off (not stated).

Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.

Polar pattern

Polar pattern: from the manual, p. 12. Free field, IEC 60268-4 (as the response). 125 Hz to 1 kHz drawn on the left half, 2 to 16 kHz on the right; the pattern is taken as symmetric. 5 dB per ring, centre -25 dB. Switch settings not stated.

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All specs

From the manual
CapsuleK 04 large-diaphragm capsule. "The microphone headgrille houses the K 04 large-diaphragm capsule, which has a flat frequency response up to 3 kHz. Higher frequencies have an increased presence of 2 dB maximum." Diaphragm size not stated.p. 3
Sensitivity−33.1 dBV/Pa (22 mV/Pa), 1 kHz into 1 kohm rated load; ±1 dB. "22 mV/Pa = –33.1 dBV ± 1 dB".p. 8
Self-noise7 dB(A), IEC 60268-1, A-weighting IEC 61672-1, RMS. "7 dB-A". The -14 dB pad "will increase the self noise by 14 dB" (p. 4).
Self-noise (CCIR 468)18 dB, CCIR 468-3, quasi peak
Max SPL138 dB SPL, THD 0.5%; also 152 dB SPL, THD 0.5%, with preattenuation. "THD of microphone amplifier at an input voltage equivalent to the capsule output at the specified SPL."
Signal-to-noise ratio87 dB, re 94 dB SPL, A-weighted; also 76 dB, re 94 dB SPL, CCIR 468-3
Dynamic range131 dB, DIN/IEC 651. "the BCM 104 has a dynamic range of 131 dB (DIN/IEC 651)".p. 3
Output impedance50 ohm, rated impedancep. 8
Rated load impedance1000 ohm, rated load impedance
Rated frequency range20 Hz to 20 kHz. "An active filter efficiently suppresses signals below" 20 Hz (p. 4).
Poweringphantom P48, 48 V ± 4 V (IEC 61938). Footnote "Phantom powering (P48, IEC 1938)"; the quick guide: IEC 61938.
Current draw3.2 mA
Low cutoff, on; 100 Hz; 12 dB/octave. "a high-pass filter, electronically activated by a switch ... reduces frequencies below 100 Hz by 12 dB/octave"; the switch is inside the housing ("100 Hz Low Cut", ON/off).p. 4
Pad−14 dB. "a –14 dB preattenuation switch is provided", inside the housing behind the XLR insert. Not shown in the graphs.
Switchespad: off, -14 dB. Both switches sit inside the housing; "ON" activates "–14 dB" or "100 Hz Low Cut".
ConnectorXLR-3 male. "a male 3-pin XLR connector"; pin 1 ground, pin 2 +phase, pin 3 -phase; balanced, transformerless output (p. 2).p. 5
Weight500 gp. 8
Dimensions64 × 85 × 110 mm. Diameter 64 mm, length 85 mm, height 110 mm "without suspension". The German table misprints the height as 10 mm.
Acoustic operating principlePressure gradient transducer
Max. output voltage10 dBu
Pop screen and mountIntegrated pop screen behind a headgrille that twists off without tools; capsule and microphone elastically suspended; mount for standard studio boom arms with a thread adapterp. 3
Cable lengthResponse unaffected by long cables; high-frequency loss only well beyond 300 mp. 5
Accessories (manual)SG 5 swivel mount; BCK replacement headgrille (with 5 coloured rings); PS 15, PS 20 a popscreens; WS 47 windscreen; N 248 power supply; IC 3 mt cable; AC 25 adapterp. 13
From the quick guide
Operating temperature0 °C to +70 °Cp. 2
Storage temperature−20 °C to +70 °C
Humiditymax. 90 % at +20 °C
From the product page
Finishsatin nickel (BCM 104); matte black (BCM 104 mt). Cat. no. 008483 nickel; BCM 104 mt, black, cat. no. 399007 ("Now also available in black"). The 2015 manual lists only the nickel version.p. 1

Documents

Copies kept by Mic Archive, because manufacturers move and drop their documents. Each is © Neumann, unchanged, with its original address.

Product page on neumann.com

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