Colorless - Transparent - Versatile

The Neumann KM 184 is a state-of-the-art small-diaphragm condenser microphone with a uniform, independent frequency cardioid polar pattern.

Its very natural, transparent sound with very low self-noise and high SPL handling capabilities have made the KM 184 a worldwide standard for use in live and studio settings for a wide range of applications, from classical piano to heavy metal drums.

High Fidelity

While many modern microphones are designed to add their own sonic imprint, there are many applications that require faithful reproduction of the original acoustic event, without additions or subtractions. The Neumann KM 184 is ideal for these exact applications.

Cardioid Polar Pattern

The KM 184 offers state-of-the-art Neumann engineering, with its cardioid pattern being independent of frequency and its sound rejection towards the rear (180°) being exceptional, even at low frequencies. In practical use, there is no sound coloration in a wide pickup angle, which is crucial in multi-microphone setups and for precise stereo/surround imaging. The frequency response of the KM 184 is very smooth and linear with a slight boost around 9 kHz for added brilliance. The innovative transformerless head amplifier offers a wide dynamic range of 125 dB and has been carefully designed to maintain the sonic integrity of the capsule. The KM 184 has very low self-noise at only 13 dB-A and can handle high sound pressure levels up to 138 dB without distortion. Due to its low output impedance, it can be used with long cable runs of up to 300 meters without transmission loss.

Applications

The KM 184 is a universal microphone for studio and live applications. Its transparent sound makes it an excellent microphone for acoustic instruments such as piano, percussion, drums, acoustic guitar, upright bass, violin, cello, woodwinds, and brass. It can be used for both soloists and ensembles. While not specifically optimized for human voice, it is often used for classical vocals and whenever sonic authenticity is of primary importance. Due to its small size, the KM 184 is visually discreet and suitable for television and radio applications.