Topic: Neumann KM140s for "007" missions..

[Pieteker]

As I stealth tape with my Line Audio CM3s in my Kangol all the time with great success, I was wondering whether a pair of Neumann KM140s would fit just as well, and sound-wise, do you think they’d be an upgrade?

Thanks a lot for your thoughts!

[morst]

They had better fit!
I am getting my Neumann KA cables restored, so I can do exactly that, and just ordered a new Kangol Tropic Ventair USA #504 for the purpose.


I have emailed Scott at SRS regarding a 3-d printed ORTF mount shaped like the front of the cap, and will be glad to share any info I get from him regarding this.
https://kangol.com/products/usa-made-tropic-504-ventair?variant=43395651502262


I signed up to Kangol using my email and they sent me the coupon code KANGOL15 to get me $15 off. Note that they have a minimum purchase for free shipping. Maybe if you want two hats or can team up with another taper it will save you the shipping costs?




I have not gone out of my way to listen to Line Audio CM3's but I have a hunch that I would prefer the AK40 capsules.

[Thelonious]

I think if I understood Pieteker’s question correctly, he was thinking of putting the mics, plus bodies, in the Kangol, similar to what he’s doing with the line audios, which aren’t modular.

Morst, I think you’re looking at mounting the capsules and running an active cable between the mics and the bodies, allowing the capsules only to be mounted in the hat. If that’s the case, Pieteker should be aware of the added cost of an SRS mount and the KA cables associated with this approach.

I have km184s, which I suspect are close to the same size as km140s (caps and bodies assembled) and they are bigger than my CM4s, which I’m assuming are similar in size to the cm3s. I find that using just capsules and active cables is already a lot for a kangol on my head so, while I realize that some run the CM3(or 4) in a hat, I would think that it would be even more difficult with the km140s as they are bigger.

The question of whether something can fit is only part of the puzzle if we assume that mic orientation, and comfort, may also be factors.

Apologies if I misunderstood something above but thought I’d clarify as I personally would find the km184s too bulky to mount and position effectively in a Kangol. I di find actives, with an SRS mount manageable but at he limit of what I would want to try to manage in a discreet environment.

[fanofjam]

CM4 - 77mm long, 20mm in diameter
KM140 - 92mm long, 22mm in diameter

There are surely innovative ways to stealth a mic that's 15mm (5/8 of an inch) longer than the CM4, especially if you've been successful and feel comfortable stealthing with your CM4s.  The Neuman's of course give you the added option of using active cables, either through Neumann, or from Nicky/nbob here on ts.com.

As far as the sound difference, it's all what you prefer.  I love the Neumann sound, so I think it's a better sounding mic than the Line Audio...but the question is whether they sound $1000 better.  Those dang line audio mics punch WAY above their price-point.  The added cost for incremental sound improvement isn't worth it to some people.  As usual, best to go out on www.archive.org and find good quality samples of both and do an A vs B. 

[fanofjam]

The newer kk 184 caps are a smaller solution and can be purchased new!  Combined with cables from Nick and PFA's you would have a very stealthy rig. Same Neumann sound in a smaller package.  Here is a pic for reference of my Neumanns with Nbobs.  These are kk 185 caps, but same size as the kk 184's.

Jon...now THAT's a sexy af gear porn shot!!!

Do kk184 and kk185 capsules have the same frequency response as the km1xx capsule line?


Sorry for the threadjack...

[jbell]

The newer kk 184 caps are a smaller solution and can be purchased new!  Combined with cables from Nick and PFA's you would have a very stealthy rig. Same Neumann sound in a smaller package.  Here is a pic for reference of my Neumanns with Nbobs.  These are kk 185 caps, but same size as the kk 184's.

Jon, do kk184 and kk185 capsules have the same frequency response as the km1xx capsule line?

Sorry for the threadjack...

Newer cap without the FET electronics on the cap side, but yes same frequency response.  The KM A bodies have better specs than the older KM 100 bodies.

[fanofjam]

Newer cap without the electronics on the cap side, but yes same frequency response.  The KM A bodies have better specs than the older 140's.

Thanks!  One more question...

Were your schoeps nbob cables made with a heavier gauge cable?  They look thicker than the neumann nbobs, which appear to be the same gauge as my Schoeps nbob cables.  I've always been a little concerned that the nbob cable gauge is a little on the thin side and would ideally like mine a little heavier, even though I've never had any problems with mine.

[Pieteker]

I’m in dubio. This time around, I want to buy once and cry once. I’m worried that if I buy a pair of 30-year-old Neumanns, they’ll need cleaning or repairs within a couple of years. I also only do stealth taping.

With the money I’ve saved, I could instead buy a new pair of DPA 4060 / 4061 with adapters for my Zoom F3, which would be a perfect fit. The only reason I sold my previous pair of 4061s was the 3-meter-long cables.

What would people here advise me, having walked this route before?

[beatkilla]

I’m in dubio. This time around, I want to buy once and cry once. I’m worried that if I buy a pair of 30-year-old Neumanns, they’ll need cleaning or repairs within a couple of years. I also only do stealth taping.

With the money I’ve saved, I could instead buy a new pair of DPA 4060 / 4061 with adapters for my Zoom F3, which would be a perfect fit. The only reason I sold my previous pair of 4061s was the 3-meter-long cables.

What would people here advise me, having walked this route before?

Get some Schoeps😁😁😁

[Pieteker]

I pulled the trigger today!

[Pieteker]

Do people use the 10 dB output pad on the KM 140 S microphone body? I don’t think it’s necessary when recording in 32-bit float.

[aaronji]

It depends on dBSPL at the microphones, mic sensitivity, and recorder input sensitivity. Probably never (or rarely) an issue, but, if you overload the input, 32-bit float won't help...

[Craig T]

It depends on dBSPL at the microphones, mic sensitivity, and recorder input sensitivity. Probably never (or rarely) an issue, but, if you overload the input, 32-bit float won't help...

And if you need the pad you're likely better off using a separate external pad than the built-in one since the built-in one will decrease output signal but not noise and an external will decrease the total output (including noise).  I ran km140s many many years ago but I don't recall them being all that sensitive.  I doubt you'll need it unless source is painfully loud.

[Gordon]

I never ran the pad

[beroti_music]

I’m in dubio. This time around, I want to buy once and cry once. I’m worried that if I buy a pair of 30-year-old Neumanns, they’ll need cleaning or repairs within a couple of years. I also only do stealth taping.

With the money I’ve saved, I could instead buy a new pair of DPA 4060 / 4061 with adapters for my Zoom F3, which would be a perfect fit. The only reason I sold my previous pair of 4061s was the 3-meter-long cables.

What would people here advise me, having walked this route before?

Get some Schoeps😁😁😁

Would be my advice as well.