yeah, I wasn’t really disagreeing, to be clear. I generally agree.

I’d also rather use a KM184 than plenty of mics that cost similarly.

The 102 imo, is 'awesome' at that price. Having access to that capsule at any price, really. When I heard the 102 against the 103 I thought they were fairly similar. But I agree, not different enough really to warrant a huge price jump. The 107 was a bit warmer..better bottom...but still had the beautiful Neumann midrange. I'll get the 107 just because of the patterns, but I'd be totally happy with a 102 as well.

I agree. I have a KM84. For years I heard how the 184 was awful, but strangely every time I heard it, I thought it sounded rather good. It has the bright boost, but that doesn't bother me really. It's not a bad brightness. I haven't listened to one lately, but based on memory.

Back on topic I guess...49 vs 149.

(Or to continue my Movie starlet analogy)
"Marilyn vs. Madonna".


As you guys probably know,, Marilyn was regarded as an outstanding actress, by many of her noted Hollywood peers.
Chris

Ahh the here-say that the km184 is a rubbish mic is folklore peddled by some around here and other sites. It VERY much is not that at all!

I’ve used them a fair bit and they’re every bit worthy of the Neumann badge, but yes I’d still take a km84 over a 184 but I wouldn’t sit there beatching like a broken record that ‘I simply can’t use this mic’

Personally I prefer the 86 and 88. If you’re on a budget then look for some of the older gefell’s with the nickel capsules. Amazing mics for the money and equally as d good imho as km84 just a bit of different awesomeness!

Wiggy

I got couple of pairs of m582 with both cardiodid and omni capsules . They are amazing. The same league as km54

To me, a KM184 into a tab v78m (or many decent preamps) is really great for that rock/pop acoustic sound, or jangle/arpeggio electric type things. Great on plenty of other stuff too, but it has really impressed in that context.

It's the best mic I've found so far for an acoustic guitar in a busy mix.

Sometimes I think a certain gear dealer who had a falling out with Neumann started the whole "KM184 is a POS" thing. Just speculation though.

yep and yep!

Actually, I have a pair of RFT Gefell MV601's with M70 nickel capsules. They need to be re-skinned. I've been wanting to send them back to Theirsch to get this done, but I just haven't yet.

When I first recorded an acoustic steel string with a TLM 103 I was overwhelmed of the sound. From my moderate point of view, they just used exactly this mic to record the Realguitar library. I was really surprised that the acoustic guitar I recorded myself with this mic sounded exactly like the programmed one in Realguitar, sound quality wise.

Hard to imagine you can go better.

Not with a Neumann M49, or quality 49 style ala FLEA/Beesneez/etc.

Usually better than whatever is in RealGuitar.
There are reasons why a fine overall mic, is valued more than the 103.

Me on a 103? Ever see Goldfinger?
That vocal would take your head off.
Before you could say "Odd Job"!
Chris
P.S. Personally I like the 103 for Modern VO though. Or on Billie Eyelash.

I'm not sure I agree here. (If I'm understanding you correctly) Based on what I've been hearing...a 102/103 is a great sounding overall mic, and imo they out-perform many comparably priced mic's, specifically on vocals.

"Game of inches".

So if you had a chance to use a M49, you'd probably use a 102 or 103 instead as a first grab?

In my relatively le$$er cheap seats recently... I had to face the reality the Beesneez BU67 slayed all my mics on Ballads. Gives me a long term "hankerin" for an excellent/more assertive 47 style, to go along with it.

Well the BU67 tangibly over my two "otherwise" top mics at home. Runnerup was Soundelux U195, and a stock Oktava 319 3rd.
The AKG D790 is tops over the other dynamics (on my voice) generally.

The BU67 has that "sounds like a record" thang all over it.
Chris
P.S. I doubt I'll ever spend much over $2K, on a vocal mic. (famous last words!)

Not fair. I did say comparably priced. TLM 102 sounded really good in the instances I heard it on vocals. It sounded awesome actually, imo.

Based on what I've been hearing, I would be GLAD to use the 102/103/107 on multiple sources including vocals.

I guess "moderate" meant lower priced, in the other post.

Makes sense then.
Sorry for misunderstanding.

It was the "hard to better" part (yes I paraphrase) I didn't entirely agree with.
Since we are primarily talking $3K+ mics here.
Chris

I deleted the audio clip. I will be happy to share completed projects with the M49 once they are released. Just DM me.

The discussion has regressed into something other than collegial. I guess being dragged happens to all of us from time to time.

^^^^^^^^
This.
Chris

I hear you . I had a pair of Km184s with a Demeter tube pre which I put NOS tubes in, and overheads sounded fantastic with a lot of detail and cut through the mix really well. The KM184 can be fantastic in certain circumstances. And a lot of people have made excellent recordings with KM184s. I think sometimes on these boards some things are exaggerated, both good and bad.

I had a pair about 15 years ago but they got noisy so I sold them. Sounded wonderful on acoustics when they worked.

I think it's worth reading this thread to see how 'golden' Terrysound's ears are.

Neumann U67 reissue capsule update (August 18th 2022)

He/she can hear the difference between audio recorded on SSD vs HardDrive.

With that kind of bionic hearing he/she can obviously hear things that are invisible to ordinary ears (or science)

Personally I'd be really interested in hearing some of the amazing things that Terrysound had recorded. It would help give context to his/her valuable contribution ? I, for one, am 100% certain that Terrysound isn't a trolling idiot who wouldn't know the sound of a decent recording if they were slapped around the face with it

BTW there is an ignore function on the forum.

I have 3 pairs , all went through Andreas Grosser. Sound is spectacular

I'm pretty sure Terrysound is an on purpose comedy act. No one says things that funny or acts that stupid in real life.

I bought an original U87 back then because I could get one for a very reasonable price. So I own a U87 and no TLM103 now. If I owned both, I would prefer the 103 over the 87 for recording acoustic steel guitars. For vocals, I would prefer the U87 anyway.

However, if I wanted to get something like a U67 or a U47 I would probably check out the Warm Audio clones. They can be purchased here and they do the job, probably far or near to the originals. Thinking about getting a WA-14 for a while. For Pop and Rock productions, they'll do fine I think.

As long as my financial situation does not change drastically, I will definitely not buy a mic for more than $2k. And I am not sure whether I would if the situation changed, the outcome in the end is too small. I don't see a reason.

Come on, the Telefunken U47 is more than $10k. How can you hear this? Are the capacitors made of gold or what...

Using the BU67 makes me want to to try their BM49. I mean, they’re using a 6S6B-V too. Lol. I’d probably prefer their K7 capsule to their M7 though. I prefer that configuration in an M49.

Hey people tell me I'm funny sometimes too.
(Sometimes on purpose)

The other day I was an assistant coach, at a local Little League game.
I told the kids to line up according to their height, in alphabetical order.

You just can't predict it with everyone.
Unless you're very psychic and have ESPN like me.
Chris

"What do you mean, funny!? You mean funny like a clown, like I'm here to amuse you?":-)

Being able to make a good recording with a mic that costs less doesn’t mean you can’t hear the difference.

The other day PaulG posted U47 clips and some clones, and I could clearly hear differences which suggested what each mic was. If you have enough experience and take care in listening, why couldn’t you? Specific variations cause specific sonic differences.

Also. The technically the capacitor inside the headbasket is made of gold, we just call them capsules nowdays. ;-)

Now, I wouldn’t argue about them being overpriced, and there is also something really funny about suggesting a printed circuit board discrete assembly can only be done by the the smallest group of people there when it’s the same basic methods used to put together U67, U87, U47fet, etc. It’s not point to point lol.

What's Billy Batts* favorite microphone for Tommy? A Ribbon.
Why?

Because it's a...
ShinyBox!

"Smallest groups of people" now prefer to be called Little People BTW.
Change is coming soon for you SDC people.
Chris
*Billy Batts preferred a 44. Until his last big bash.

Honestly, I'm friends with some Local Studio owners. So I'll "happen" to let them know about some of the best $5K+ microphones. (Heh heh)

Easier to rent than buy sometimes.
Chris