Topic: Neumann KM86 questions

[ts]

Anyone have any experience with these? Would they make for good field recording mics? They have dual KM84 caps in each mic body and are switchable, omni, card and figure 8. That's about all I know.
Thanks,ts

[John R]

i bet they'll sound awesome

[Nick Graham]

i bet they'll sound awesome

Of course they will...they're Neumanns 

[dnsacks]

Think I have a few spring '90 nassau Dead shows that Jim Wise recorded with these (probably run as spaced cards and pointing at stacks, fob), recorded with a d5 -- sound real nice but probably not the truest test of their sound.

[ts]

Seems like because of the fact they have 2 caps in each body that they are difficult to arrange in a pattern for stereo recording. According to others who have used them, figure 8 is the best for them. I guess they are more of a vocal mic.

[John R]

Team Neumann Fluffers

[Wiggler]

I found a thread about them on another site.
http://recforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/m/21635/0#msg_21635

Some shows are on the Music Archives (3) Grateful Dead and (1) Steve Kimock for download.

[dnsacks]

Seems like because of the fact they have 2 caps in each body that they are difficult to arrange in a pattern for stereo recording. According to others who have used them, figure 8 is the best for them. I guess they are more of a vocal mic.

Don't see why aiming them would be a problem, you'd just need to treat 'em like any other side address mic -- the ability to run 'em in blumlein or m/s configuration would be quite cool.

here are some fotos (and Neumann's description which suggests they are NOT near-field mics) http://www.vintageloop.com/Neumann_KM86.html

[ts]

Nice thread Wiggler. What 3 GD shows in what year in the archive? Like to see what mic patterns were used.

[ts]

So, maybe treat 'em like 4V's?

[dnsacks]

Exactly! (or like mini u87s)

[ts]

Nice! 4V's with 3 patterns! Can I be on both teams.

[Tim]

those things look sweet!

[Wiggler]

Nice thread Wiggler. What 3 GD shows in what year in the archive? Like to see what mic patterns were used.

 It looks like they turned out to be KM84 shows not Km86, I could not find any KM86 shows on the Archive.
They do look nice.

[jpschust]

one problem i could see is that they are 40-40k rather than 20-40k... that bass might pose some problem

[dklein]

one problem i could see is that they are 40-40k rather than 20-40k... that bass might pose some problem

I don't think it will be.  All it means is the 20-40 Hz rolls off below the quoted +/- spec.  It's still there.  And those frequencies are more feeling than hearing.

fwiw, I always run the 12 dB/octave high pass on my V2 at a cutoff of 75 Hz and still get TONS of bass.

[Tim]

one problem i could see is that they are 40-40k rather than 20-40k... that bass might pose some problem

depends on where you run... up front you won't miss it at all. those little audix micros have a similiar range and sound pretty nice.

[ts]

No, they're 40-20. Problem with the pair I'm looking at is they are KM86, not KM86i, which I think means pins 2 and 3 are reversed(according to Doug). I guess they're a German version.

[John R]

No, they're 40-20. Problem with the pair I'm looking at is they are KM86, not KM86i, which I think means pins 2 and 3 are reversed(according to Doug). I guess they're a German version.

that should be ok.  you would just have to repin a specific pair of xlr's no?

[jpschust]

i've never actually used a pair, the person who i think would know as well is korby at www.vintageking.com

[muj]

No, they're 40-20. Problem with the pair I'm looking at is they are KM86, not KM86i, which I think means pins 2 and 3 are reversed(according to Doug). I guess they're a German version.

i designates "import",as a standard for gotham audio,the output impedance is lower than the european version.