Topic: Is the Neumann KMR 82i Shotgun good for concerts?

[Deadphish]

I was just curious.

http://www.neumann.com/?lang=en&id=current_microphones&cid=kmr82i_description

[Life In Rewind]

Not saying it's not...but shotguns aren't generally considered good choices for AUD taping...

The AKG CK8 is perhaps the best of the bunch if you want to go that way...

[acidjack]

The answer is pretty much no. This was a popular thing for GD taping in the 80s, but most people have moved on by now.

Some would argue that shotguns can be a good element if added to a pair of omnis or something else. Having never done so myself I wouldn't argue for or against it, other than to say that I think making a good 2-channel audience recording at a distance is quite possible, and is quite less of a pain in the ass than a four channel one, in most cases.

[Ronmac]

I own the matte black vision and quite like it, for what it was designed for.

If you are doing loud shows and pick up mainly stacks, I wouldn't consider it a good choice. If you need to get a spot mic on an instrument and can't get close, it can be a problem solver.

I have of ten used it in theatre to pick up an element of the show or part of the stage that can't be mixed in the regular fashion. You do have to be careful indoors, due to the loss of directionality in the lower octaves.

For concerts? It should be thought of as a problem solver, not a first call tool

[airbladder]

I just got a pair and am messing around with them. But it is not my only pair of mics. I think it sounds better than the other guns I have seen used at shows.  I could see them being handy in some situations.

[rocksuitcase]

Deadphish-- a link from gearslutz where a few users, including John Willett, offer their opinions. https://www.gearslutz.com/board/remote-possibilities-acoustic-music-location-recording/250591-shotgun-opinions-mkh60-mkh416-kmr82i-narrowing-down.html

In general, they are not doing the type of AUD recordings we are, but IMO, their opinions are good to know.
RE shotguns for live recording: I have run the ck8's many times and hung out with my bud, ebdotcom, when he ran his ck9's at many DMB and other shows from the balcony of stadiums and the like. I choose not to do 2 channel AUD recordings with them anymore. The results are too "restricted" or confined. I feel if I had used hypercardiods in those situations, the recordings would be "better". This was a concept pushed by Nakamichi and used by Deadhead and Phish tapers when there was an OTS always behind the SBD and often well over 100 feet from the stacks. Some liked the sound.

As far as the specific Neumann KMR 82i- I have not used it so will allow others their direct opinion. Of note is that these mics are not as robust in high humidity/wet situations as the Sennheiser MKH series. (the AKG's will also have issues with high humidity)