km184 or sm81?

  • Thread starter Thread starter tkingen
  • Start date Start date
tkingen

tkingen

Djembes Rock
I've been recording acoustic guitar with either a pair of Oktava MK012's for stereo or a Nuemann KM184 for mono. Not being happy with the Oktava's, I'd like to upgrade.
So, the question is whether to purchase another KM184 to make a stereo pair, or buy a pair of Shure SM81's. A pair of SM81's would cost about the same as one KM184. Also, I'm not entirely sure what the SM81's sound like.
Can anyone offer advice?

Thanks,
Terry
 
tkingen said:
I've been recording acoustic guitar with either a pair of Oktava MK012's for stereo or a Nuemann KM184 for mono. Not being happy with the Oktava's, I'd like to upgrade.
So, the question is whether to purchase another KM184 to make a stereo pair, or buy a pair of Shure SM81's. A pair of SM81's would cost about the same as one KM184. Also, I'm not entirely sure what the SM81's sound like.
Can anyone offer advice?

Thanks,
Terry
Click to expand...

Get another Neumann and use them as a set. Any other choice sends you off into another direction. If you are unhappy with the Neuman, you won't be happy with the Shures.
 
why not a large condenser? or two? or one of each?
In His Name
BK
 
Never heard the neumann. Have an SM81. The 81 is a good all around mic.
Here's a second hand comment for you: " The Shure SM81 is a pretty woman. The Km184 is a pretty woman with make up on. "
That probably doesn't help, but I thought it was witty when I first heard it.
 
The SM-81 is horrible for any price. Sorry if that offends, but that's what I hear. I used to own a pair many moons ago, got rid of them as quickly as possible. It sounds lo-fi and the mids are strange and unpleasant. I get people in to mix who record in their bedroom and sometimes they use these, it usually takes a pair of Chandler 1073's and some Trakkers to save them. The Neumann is an excellent microphone, there is better than the Neumann, but it costs quite a bit more and is only perhaps subjectively better (i.e. Shoeps, DPA).

Nathan Eldred
atlasproaudio.com
 
omtayslick said:
Never heard the neumann. Have an SM81. The 81 is a good all around mic.
Here's a second hand comment for you: " The Shure SM81 is a pretty woman. The Km184 is a pretty woman with make up on. "
That probably doesn't help, but I thought it was witty when I first heard it.
Click to expand...

I'd go along with omtayslick. I've owned a pair of SM-81's for eight years now, and IMHO, they are one of the most linear and honest SDC's available. If you want extra fizz or anything more or less than the original source, these aren't the mics you want. What you hear at the source is what they capture. They are pretty much a studio standard and a great addition to any mic locker. You see them on tour a lot as overheads and for acoustic instruments. VERY popular with jazz and bluegrass musicians.
 
You should listen to tJohnsons stuff in the MP3 clinic. He uses a SM81 and I am in awe of his sound.
 
Thanks for the opinions and feedback. As always, mic choice is very subjective...and that's good! The next step will be to try to borrow or rent an SM81 to make comparisons.
I've attempted to listen to tjohnson's mp3's, but at the time a connection couldn't be made. Have to try again.

Thanks,
Terry
 
NathanEldred said:
The SM-81 is horrible for any price. Sorry if that offends, but that's what I hear.
Click to expand...

Just to add something to the conversation, this is the complete opposite of everything I've ever heard about SM-81s on this board. I think this is the first negative thing I've heard about them.
 
Yeah,
That is interesting. I've heard people say they preferred another mic over the SM81, but I've never heard anyone call it junk.

But I've seen Nathan make some other "out of the mainstream" recommendations. So maybe he hears a little differently.

As for the 81, I think it's a safe bet. It's often cited as a standard mic with which to compare other SD consdensers.

It is true to source, so maybe what Nathan didn't like was the source.
 
omtayslick said:
Yeah,
That is interesting. I've heard people say they preferred another mic over the SM81, but I've never heard anyone call it junk.

But I've seen Nathan make some other "out of the mainstream" recommendations. So maybe he hears a little differently.
Click to expand...


Or maybe it's just an educated opinion. You have to remember it's my job (both of them) to A/B 95% percent of the gear that's on the pro market. When you have all this stuff at your disposal you start to develop very specific preferences, and the reasons to back them up.



It is true to source, so maybe what Nathan didn't like was the source.
Click to expand...

Not true, it's been on multiple sources in multiple rooms, ranging from average to great players and average to great rooms. So it wasn't like some garbage tin can acoustic guitar or drummer in a room with 30 modes. I'm not begrudging anyone their opinion, I just want you to realize it's not just some off the wall idea. If you put a KM184 and a SM81 next to each other coincident on the same source, and you think the SM-81 is great more power to you. But when I hear people say "I haven't heard the KM-184, but the SM-81 sounds incredible", it makes me wonder about their point of reference. incredible to an AKG C1000, maybe. One man's junk is another man's good too.


------------------
Nathan Eldred
atlasproaudio.com
 
Sure the 184 is head above the 81, but I think they are talking in terms of budget constraints.
Its like comparing the184 to DPA and Scheops....
 
Hey Nathan,
Just kidding. I am aware of your position, and have checked out your company's website a few times. Unfortunately, Tonio's right.
That stuffs out of my league dollar-wise. (But I STILL like my 81)
 
So,

On a scale of 1 - 10, how would you rank the following mics for recording steel string acoustic guitar (not as OHs) purely in terms of sound perfomance. NOT PRICE (ie. good for the money...)


MXL603
Oktava MK012
SM81
KM184


Just after your personal opinion - not trying to start flame wars.

I'm asking because I have MXL603s and am thinking of trading "up" - I can get either SM81 or KM184 relatively easily (Australia) - not sure about Oktavas - wondering where to go to - the price isn't necessarily a consideration.

Obviously if you haven't heard all these mics you won't be able to give them a score, so whatever you've personally dealt with...

Cheers
 
tkingen said:
I've been recording acoustic guitar with either a pair of Oktava MK012's for stereo or a Nuemann KM184 for mono. Not being happy with the Oktava's, I'd like to upgrade.
So, the question is whether to purchase another KM184 to make a stereo pair, or buy a pair of Shure SM81's. A pair of SM81's would cost about the same as one KM184. Also, I'm not entirely sure what the SM81's sound like.
Can anyone offer advice?

Thanks,
Terry
Click to expand...
tkingen, I think it would be easier for others to try and help you if you tell them why you don't like the Oktava MC-012 on your acoustic guitar and what you want the mic to sound like as compare to the MC-012... i.e brighter, etc. Oh and the Shure SM81 is what I call a pretty neutral sounding or flat type mic.
 
DJL,

Good suggestion. In my experience, the MC012 sounds mushy on the transiets and a little midrangey. The KM184 is nice and full bodied, but the upper frequencies usually need a little taming.
I also have a Shure KSM44 and 32. They are certainly good mics, but neither are as full bodied as the KM184.
The ultimate would probably be a combination of the clarity of the KSM44 with the full body of the KM184.
I know that one solution would be to just use the KM184 and apply eq, but I'd rather get it "right" in the tracking.
I appreciate the interest you guys have taken in this post!

Terry
 
I think the Studio Projects C-4's are very comparable to the SM81's, and at a much lower price point. The KM184's are better mics, but at a higher price point than a pair of Josephson C-42's.
I've used all of the mics under discussion except the Josephson's, which come highly recommended by a bunch of heavy hitters. Many users familiar with both prefer the older KM84's to the KM184's. Another mic you have not apparently considered is the AKG C451.
I think these are the best buys at their price point by a combination of experience and the opinions of those I trust.- For wicked cheap, the Oktavas. Low mid-priced- Studio Projects C-4's.
High mid-priced- AKG C451. High end- Josephson C42. To die for- Earthworks/Schoeps. The fact that you own one of the Neumanns makes another attractive, though. What the hell, I'd probably do that if I were in your position. They may not be *great* mics, but they are very, very good mics.-Richie
 
I think the whole decision is fairly simple. You already have a KM184. Get another one. If you are really on the fence with the 184, then dump it, spend the $$, don't fool around, and go Schoeps CMC64, Josephson Series 6 (not the C42) or DPA 4011.
--
Stephen Boyke
 
sdelsolray said:
I think the whole decision is fairly simple. You already have a KM184. Get another one. If you are really on the fence with the 184, then dump it, spend the $$, don't fool around, and go Schoeps CMC64, Josephson Series 6 (not the C42) or DPA 4011.
--
Stephen Boyke
Click to expand...


Ahmen. Go with the Neumann and have a great pair of mics.
 
Richard Monroe said:
I think the Studio Projects C-4's are very comparable to the SM81's, and at a much lower price point.
Click to expand...
I've never heard the 797 Audio/Studio Projects C4 but I think the Shure SM81 will hold it's value longer... making it a better investment.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top