Neumann Neumann KMi 84 from 70s

This KMi 84 is an early collector's item (production number: 22277) with the original case and Neumann mic clip.

The Neumann KMi 84 and KM 84, classic small-diaphragm FET condenser microphones, are the result of a visit by Neumann engineers to Norwegian State Television in the mid-1960s. NST wanted smaller, transistor-based microphones for a new studio but needed them to run off their central 48V DC power system rather than 12V T-Power. Neumann's engineers devised a plan for powering a microphone in this way, and a major innovation, which we now know as phantom power, was born.

The KMi 84 and KM 84 use the KK 64 capsule from the tube-amplified KM 64 microphone. This capsule produces a near-perfect cardioid pattern which maintains frequency response even 130 degrees off-axis and yields a very natural sound without comb-filtered artifacts due to bleed from other instruments.

The FET and transformer-output amplifier of the KMi 84 offers very high headroom, which makes the microphone widely used as a close microphone for drums, particularly snare drum. A -10dB pad is switchable on the body of the mic for recording especially hot signal sources.

As is the case with all Neumann products, the "i" designation is for microphones that shipped with an XLR output connector for export to the US. KM 84 (no i) is electrically the same, but has a DIN-type Tuchel connector for the output.

This copy works correctly; however, there are several cosmetic damages (scratches) visible on the outer surface of the microphone body, and the Neumann badge is missing from it. It comes with the original case and mic clip (as seen in the photos).