SDC-Any current thoughts???

[Bassman Brad]

Bassman Brad, I just wanted to point something out in your first post in this thread. Neuamnn did make the KM184's brighter than the KM84's. Thats also why every single person I know that has used km84's doesn't really like the km184's. Thats also why used KM84's sell for almost as much as a used pair of KM184's. I have to say, I don't like the km184's very much. I am sure a lot of that is due to the fact that I greatly prefer the km84 and may not be giving the km184 a fair shake

Yeah, I suppose I didn't explain myself very well with that comment. What I meant to say is that, when choosing a pair of SDCs (or a single SDC) for general, all-around studio use, having a mic (or mics) that have a little high frequency boost is probably not a bad thing, as long as the quality of the high frequencies is acceptable. Given the instruments that we usually mic with these mics (guitars, mandolin's, etc...), I think that it would be a very good thing. My recommendation would be DIFFERENT, however, if the person was asking about a pair of SDC's for location recording of jazz combos or, let's say, if you're going to record a bunch of ethnic percussion instruments for a multimedia project. In THAT case, flat would rule. But, for general duty around a recording studio, if I were to only have ONE set of SDC's, I would prefer a brighter pair to a flatter or darker pair.

The comment about Neumann simply meant that I believe that the engineers at Neumann (and Shure, as well, for that matter) came to the same conclusion. When Neumann's mic design department re-engineered the KM 84's, they decided to make 'em brighter, and I'm sure that they did this on purpose. The designers at Shure came to the same conclusion. When THEY came out with a new SDC line (the KSM's), they purposely added a slight presence boost, while keeping the older, flatter SM81's in the product line.

I am, indeed, aware that the older Neumann's (the KM84) go for quite a bit of money on eBay. But I really don't think that is because the KM84's are better mics. Vintage Neumann's always go for lot's 'o money, simply because they're Neumann's and, well, because they don't make 'em anymore! My own on-hands experience is limited to the KM84's, which I liked very, very much. I have NOT personally used the KM184. But, well, let's just say that I very strongly suspect that they DO NOT SUCK! Indeed, I am assuming that the KM184's would sound pretty much just like the KM84's that I am familiar with, only with more top end. One is just as useable as the other. If I could have either set of mics, I would personally prefer the KM84's, but that's just because I've got other SDC's, and I tend toward "mellower" sounding mics, in general.

I can see how my earlier comment might have been confusing.

Bassman

 

[xstatic]

I definately did not mean to imply that they suck, because that certainly isn't the case. Personally, I think Neumann should have given the KM184 a different name. When they came out many people assumed they would be like the KM84, when in reality, the only real similarities are in the logistics (name, brand, SD). The highs are definately more extended on the km184, and the lows aren't nearly as "rich" sounding. The only problem I have with the km184 is that it sounds like many other mics out there as far as over all tonality goes. The km84 however really had a sound that was kind of all its own. I haven't had bad experiences with 184's, but all of my experiences with 84's were really nice. It really set itself apart. I wish Neumann had continued on with the KM84, and used the 184 to just add to their line-up.

 

[Bassman Brad]

I wish Neumann had continued on with the KM84, and used the 184 to just add to their line-up.

Yeah. I would have preferred that they had taken that approach, as well. That's basically the approach the Shure took, with the SM81, and their newer SDC's (which are completely redesigned from the ground up), and I really wish Neumann had done it that way, too.

Brad

 

[Rick Shepherd]

Another plug for the Peluso CEMC6 mic, for around $250.00