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OmnidirectionalNeumann KM 183

Omnidirectional Pencil Condenser Microphone

The KM 183 is an omnidirectional FET pencil condenser. It is part of Neumann’s “Series 180” microphone set, and replaced the KM83 omni (discontinued in 1992) in the Neumann product line.

Neumann

The KM 183 is a pressure transducer with a boost of approximately 7 dB at 10 kHz in the free field. In the diffuse sound field it has a flat frequency response… In typical usage, there is no coloration of sound over a wide pickup angle.

The capsule in the KM 183 is Neumann’s model K 30. It is a pressure transducer with a gold-sputtered polyester (Mylar) diaphragm. As with all the KM 180-series capsules, the omnidirectional version employs Neumann’s Kreuzschlitz-Kapsel or “crossed-slit” style of backplate construction.

A review by Electronic Musician in 2001 revealed that a provided “matched pair” exhibited distinct, audible differences in both high-frequency and low-frequency response, suggesting that Neumann’s pairing program involves less matching than would be ideal. The reviewer concluded, “the KM 183s were not sufficiently matched for critical stereo recording.”

The KM 183 is available as:

  • KM 183 - satin nickel finish
  • KM 183 mt - matte black

The mic ships with a black foam windscreen (Neumann p/n WNS 100) and a swivel mount (p/n SG 21 bk). Factory-matched pairs are also available — although, according to Electronic Musician magazine, “no extra testing is done to precisely match the stereo pairs.”

A variety of optional accessories for Series 180 microphones are available separately, including:

  • MNV 21 mt - auditorium hanger
  • SMK 8 i - gooseneck
  • The WNS 100 windscreen is available in black, red, green, yellow, blue or white. Diameter = 45mm; wind noise attenuation = 18dB.
  • PS 15 - black gauze 2-ply pop filter and gooseneck mount.
  • EA 2124 A mt - Elastic suspension mount for mics with shaft diameter from 21–24mm.

Electronic Musician, 2001

Positioned about four feet in front of a Taylor acoustic guitar, a single KM 183 added a world of subtleties when mixed in with an XY pair of close mics (Oktava MK012s). Low-end fundamentals, pick sound, sparkling harmonics, and early reflections from the room were accurately represented by the KM 183, contributing an exciting, three-dimensional realism to what would otherwise have been a fairly standard foreground guitar track.

The Neumann KM 183 is also known as: KM183.

The mic was released in 1999.

Specifications

Frequency Response - OmnidirectionalClick Graph to Compare!
KM 183 Omnidirectional Frequency Response Chart
Pickup Patterns Pads & Filters
Omnidirectional (12 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz)
Capsule Dimensions Impedance SPL/Noise
Diameter n/a
50 Ohms (Low) Max SPL: 140 dB
Self-noise: 13.0 dB(A)
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
80g (2.82oz) 107mm (4.21'') 22mm (0.87'')
  • 3-pin XLR male (1)
Power Specifications
  • Requires phantom power
  • Phantom voltage: 48 ± 4v

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