recordinghacks

Search Microphones


Share This Page

Neumann KMR 81 i

Pricing & Availability

  • MSRP: $1,600

Tags

Reviews & News

KMR 81 i Documentation

ShotgunNeumann KMR 81 i

Shotgun Condenser Microphone

The KMR 81 i is a short shotgun microphone. It was the second shotgun mic developed by Neumann, following the (longer) KMR 82, and was initially released in 1983.

Its polar pattern is Supercardioid below 1kHz, and becomes increasingly directional at higher frequencies.

The published frequency graph shows a flat response from 100Hz to 2kHz, with a broad presence peak (+3dB at 7500Hz). The response below 100Hz rolls off rapidly; with the HPF switch engaged, the rolloff begins around 300Hz, and falls away somewhat more steeply.

The mic has a -10dB pad, also switchable on the body. With the pad engaged, the max SPL is 138dB at 0.5% THD.

Neumann

KMR 81 interference tubes (close-up)In principle, Neumann shotgun microphones use a combination of a pressure gradient transducer and an interference tube. If the wavelength of the frequency is longer than the tube length, the microphones work as pressure gradient transducers. At higher frequencies they operate as interference transducers for lateral sound. Off-axis sound sources are picked up with reduced level, but without coloration.

The Neumann KMR 81 i is also known as: KMR-81.

The mic was released in 1983.

Specifications

Pickup Patterns Pads & Filters
Shotgun (18 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz)
  • Pad: -10dB (Via Switch)
  • Filter: HPF (Via Switch)
Capsule Dimensions Impedance SPL/Noise
Diameter n/a
150 Ohms (Low) Max SPL: 138 dB
Self-noise: 12.0 dB(A)
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
145g (5.11oz) 226mm (8.90'') 21mm (0.83'')
  • 3-pin XLR male (1)
Power Specifications
  • Requires phantom power

Did we get anything wrong on this page? Please let us know!