Mic Archive
Neumann KM 184
Photo: Neumann, from its catalog (Recording Hacks copy), p. 2.

Neumann

Neumann KM 184

Small-diaphragm condenser, cardioid

Type
Condenser
Pattern
Cardioid
Sensitivity
−36.5 dBV/Pa
Self-noise
13 dB(A)
Max SPL
138 dB SPL
Impedance
50 Ω
Rated range
20 – 20k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the manual (Recording Hacks copy), p. 5. Free field, IEC 60268-4 (as printed on the page). Distance not stated. The solid curve is the nominal response; the dashed lines are its tolerance band.

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 (Recording Hacks copy), p. 5. Free field, IEC 60268-4. Each curve is drawn on one side only (125 Hz and 250 to 1000 Hz left, 2 to 16 kHz right); the pattern is taken as symmetric.

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All specs

From the manual (Recording Hacks copy)
Sensitivity−36.5 dBV/Pa (15 mV/Pa), 1 kHz into 1 kohm; ± 1 dB. Stated as 15 mV/Pa; converted: 20·log10(0.015) = -36.5. The table lists KM 183/KM 184/KM 185; this is the middle value.p. 4
Self-noise13 dB(A), IEC 61672-1 A-weighting, RMS. The table lists KM 183/KM 184/KM 185; this is the middle value.
Self-noise (CCIR 468)22 dB, CCIR 468-3, quasi peak. The table lists KM 183/KM 184/KM 185; this is the middle value.
Max SPL138 dB SPL, 0.5% THD. THD of the mic amplifier at an input equal to the capsule output at that SPL. The table lists KM 183/KM 184/KM 185; this is the middle value.
Signal-to-noise ratio81 dB, re 94 dB SPL, A-weighted; also 72 dB, re 94 dB SPL, CCIR 468-3. The table lists KM 183/KM 184/KM 185; this is the middle value.
Dynamic range122 dB. "from app. 13 dB-A to app. 138 dB SPL" (series description; the 138 dB is the KM 184 figure).p. 2
Output impedance50 ohm, rated impedancep. 4
Rated load impedance1000 ohm, rated load impedance
Rated frequency range20 Hz to 20 kHz. Tolerance not stated in the table; the response graph shows a band of about ± 2 dB.
Poweringphantom P48, 48 V ± 4 V (IEC 1938)
Current draw3.2 mA
ConnectorXLR-3 male. Matching connector XLR 3F (p. 4); pin 2 hot.p. 2
Weight80 g, approx.p. 4
Dimensions22 × 107 mm. Diameter × length.
Finishnickel (ni) or matte black (mt)p. 2
Supplied accessoriesSG 21 bk swivel mount; WNS 100 windscreen (black). The 2008 catalog (p. 3) says two stand mounts (SG 21/17 mt) and the WNS 100.
Max. output voltage10 dBup. 4
Cat. No.KM 184 (nickel) 08439; KM 184 mt (black) 08389p. 2
Pin assignmentPin 1: 0 V/ground; Pin 2: Modulation (+phase); Pin 3: Modulation (–phase)
Off-axis responseSignals within a pick-up angle of ± 135° are reproduced without any coloration
Battery operationAt least 20 hours on a BS 48 i battery unitp. 3
From the catalog (Recording Hacks copy)
Capsulesmall-diaphragm pressure-gradient capsule; same capsule as the KM 84 with a changed rear openingp. 3
Stereo set Cat. No.KM 184 008524; KM 184 mt 008523
0° responseGentle rise at about 9 kHz (compared with the KM 84), from a change of the capsule's rear opening
Optional accessoriesEA 2124 A mt elastic suspension; MNV 21 mt auditorium hanger; PS 15 popscreen; WS 100 windscreen
ApplicationsUniversal; XY and ORTF stereo pair; announcer mic; spot mic, overhead; close miking of strings, wind, percussion, piano, Leslie speakers, guitar ampsp. 6

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.comRecording Hacks

Recommended for

Instruments whose sources name this mic, or an earlier version or variant of it.

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