Neumann KM 184

M

Mike Brent

Carbonite Member
I own this mic, it is a $850 Cardioid which I use for music recordings.

I'm now building an audio kit and I wanted to know your thoughts about this - should I use it for interiors and buy a shotgun for exteriors or should I get the Oktava mk 012 instead and use it for both interiors and exteriors?

Is the Neumann suitable for dialogue?

Thanks
 
I've used the km84 a lot, (the 184 is the less expensive version), and while it was the most amazing mic for guitar and strings, I thought it was pretty bad for vocals. It was very susceptible to wind pops and handling noise. I also think the pattern is a bit wide for general on-set dialog recording. So I would say no, it probably wouldn't be very good for production sound.

The oktava works for interiors pretty well, but the cardioid is a tad wide sometimes and will pick up more room verb if you're too far away. Outdoors I think it's hopeless and I never use it in that situation, due to wind and the wider pattern.

That being said, it might be worth it to try out the km184, since you have it.
 
Tim Joy said:
I've used the km84 a lot, (the 184 is the less expensive version)
Click to expand...

The 184 is a much newer mic, loosely based on the KM84, which was discontinued many years ago, long before the 184 was introduced. I have two KM84s, and have only used the 184s briefly, but I can state pretty assuredly that while they are similar in many ways, the 184 is substantially brighter than the 84, which is a fairly flat mic overall (and an excellent one, as is the 184). Both are great on things like acoustic guitars, but the brighter 184 may be somewhat preferable there. On other things the 84 may be preferred.

But I digress...

As Tim said, the 184 is indeed a very sensitive mic, with a wider cardioid pattern than is typical for film shoot mics, and would be pretty susceptible to handling and especially wind noise. The latter could easily be a factor on a boom as it gets swung around to cover different actors.

I think the 184 could serve in a pinch, but hypercardioids like the Oktava would be better indoors. Outdoors I think the 184 would be almost unusable due to the factors described above.
 
Thanks I just ordered the Oktava. For classical music for which I use it for, the KM 184 is perfect, you could confuse the sound for the real thing.

So it appears I need to order a shotgun as well... The Technica 4043a is discontinued so which is the current "recommended" one?

Thanks
 
Is all this still valid?

"Kit #8: Hey... Now You're Talking Package Kit
Includes: Audio Technica 4043a Shotgun Mic ($500), Oktava MK012 w/ Hyper Cardiod Cap ($180), Rycote BBG ($100), Rycote Softie ($100), KteK KSSM ($100), Gitzo Carbon Fiber Boom Pole ($300) Total Cost: $1280"

Still the recommended gear?

I understand that a AT897 is a good bang for buck mic... would you guys recommend it? or does the price difference with AT4073a worth it? I understand the AT4073 is VERY if not TOO sensitive... and I need it for ext.

When looking for an exterior mic, should I look for low BG noise? Because on location a nice background ambiance is maybe not that of a bad thing... or should I am for the cleanest sound and mo background noise at all? (that makes more sense to me actually)
 
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Mike Brent said:
Is all this still valid?

"Kit #8: Hey... Now You're Talking Package Kit
Includes: Audio Technica 4043a Shotgun Mic ($500), Oktava MK012 w/ Hyper Cardiod Cap ($180), Rycote BBG ($100), Rycote Softie ($100), KteK KSSM ($100), Gitzo Carbon Fiber Boom Pole ($300) Total Cost: $1280"

Still the recommended gear?

I understand that a AT897 is a good bang for buck mic... would you guys recommend it? or does the price difference with AT4073a worth it? I understand the AT4073 is VERY if not TOO sensitive... and I need it for ext.

When looking for an exterior mic, should I look for low BG noise? Because on location a nice background ambiance is maybe not that of a bad thing... or should I am for the cleanest sound and mo background noise at all? (that makes more sense to me actually)
Click to expand...

Mike Brent said:
OK after I read some more, I think I'll just grab a Sennheiser 416 :-)
Click to expand...


Before you run out and get the 416, don't discount the Rode NTG-3, which performs right up against the 416 for about $400 less. For the price of a 416, you can get an NTG-3 and a hypercardioid for interiors, such as the AT 4053b or the Oktava.

And you might even want to look at the Location Sound Package 4 from DVCreators/DVeStore which has everything you need for the shotgun. Just add a hypercardioid and the necessary windscreening (BBG not absolutely necessary for interiors, but still helpful) and perhaps a second shockmount just for the hyper.
 
oh no... this is becoming much more complicated...

I like the sound of the 416 better but I read that the NTG-3 is more forgiving which will also mean that in a nosier environment it will be harder to work with... now what?
 
Personally, I prefer the NTG-3 to the 416. But every person's ears are different. Your job in production is to get the dialog as clean and clear as possible, with as little extraneous noise as possible. I have had no problem doing that with the NTG-3. I ran with a 416 for years, and I do not find the RODE to be any more/less difficult to work with.

The pole with the DVCreators package may not be carbon fiber, but it's a perfectly functional pole. I love my K-Tek, and I got the 9' version.
 
OK screw it, I'll go with this package. But I did send them an email about a possible upgrade, I hope its doable. If I'm going to invest in a boompole I would rather do it once and get the lightest option...
 
They're easy folks to work with, and generally they can/will customize any package. Be sure to let them know you're a DVXUser member.
 
The KM 184 is an excellent cardioid - it is basically the same capsule as the old KM 84 but with more modern electronics and an extended top end (the old 84 rolls off earlier).

It will do fine as a voice-over mic. but you will need a popperstopper.

You did mention the 416 - please note that this had a large price reduction recently and is a lot more affordable than it was.
 
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