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[Will Russell]

Hi,

I recently scored a pair of Neumann KM86s (w/ consecutive serial #s) and I find that I rarely use them, often choosing a KM84 instead. What to you folks use them for? What do you think are their best application?

Klaus, what market do you think they were designed for?

I will continue to try them in various situations but I figured you folks might give me some ideas of application in which they are likelyy to really shine.

All the best,

[Fifthcircle]

I love KM-86s...  I find that I like them more than 84's whenever given a choice.  The low end, especially seems better on the 86 (perhaps because of the 2 capsule design?  Klaus?).  Add to that the fact that you can get multiple patterns and I find it to be a very versatile mic.

Basically, I do acoustic music so it is always used for micing ensembles and occasionally as spot mics.  I like them on woodwinds, piano, cello, sometimes violin...  In a jazz situation, I got a great acoustic bass sound with one (of course the player was Christian McBride and even a radio shack mic probably would have sounded good on him)....

--Ben

[Klaus Heyne]

Benjamin sums up well common uses for a KM86.

The mic has a sound of its own, and does not share all that much timbre with the KM84, despite using the same capsules. Smooth and gentle comes to mind.

A lot of the acoustic energy, particularly in the high frequencies, is deflected by a quadruple screen before it reaches the diaphragms.

The direction of the capsules, vis a vis the mic body, the acoustic effect of the head basket's size and shape, the proximity of the rear facing capsule, the four mesh screens before the diaphragm all contribute to the unique sound of the KM86.

For addiional info, please go into the archives. We had a very informative thread on the KM86 a while back.

Kind regards

[Loco]

Will Russell wrote on Tue, 21 September 2004 07:56

What to you folks use them for? What do you think are their best application?

Main use for me is Overheads on small rooms. Installed right now over a DW kit with Zildjan Cymbals, and I barely have to use other mics other than the kick and snare one. Helps using this loud drummer, though.

[Mark Lemaire]

I have a pair that I use in my classical sessions quite often. In omni on choir or piano. In card as a soloist spot. Occasionally in omni as a main pair. Even tho' many would point out that the largish distance between the capsules make for a deeper than usual drop in highs at the sides, sometimes the sound is just right as a main pair anyhow, so I do it.

I have found them generally a bit noisier than my U67, M269, and DPA 4003 pairs. On really quiet material they may not work well for this reason. Also I have had buzzes and RF problems with them in some theaters at random times- usually only as the lighting guys start playing with dimmers 10 minutes before showtime...

In studio they work well in fig 8 on the guitars of singing guitarists. The null on the side is especially deep. Point that at the mouth and it will help reject the VX.

I also have a pair of KM84s and the 86's (in cardiod, naturally) are similar but different-- in ways I find hard to verbalize. Perhaps it's all the physical capsule mounting & screen things that Klaus listed....

does this help?

Mark Lemaire
unaffiliated (but good) engineer

[Plush]

We like them as a spot mic on the treble strings of a piano.
Position is at the height of the lid on the left side, looking down. Excellent mic!  

[playon]

Didn't the later Motown recordings used KM86s on just about everything?  Let me know if you want to sell them!

Al

[Mark Lemaire]

I recall Bob Ohlsson saying that Motown had a lot of KM86s, but he also made it clear that Motown had plenty of other mics in those years as well. Perhaps he'll chime in here regarding what instruments the 86s wound up on most often?

Also- for all you folks posting that the mic is 'good on this and that', can you specify what pattern you use on a given application, or should we just assume cardiod? I happen to love it in omni, even given the rather distant capsule spacing....

ML

[Schallfeldnebel]

One of those microphones many engineers do like, but taken out of production years ago. The main parts from which it was made are still produced, and used in the KM 184, k84 capsule. I would not mind a re-introduction of this mike.  

Erik Sikkema

[DanDan]

A very useful mic. The switchable pattern is very useful. Omni for a group of harmony singers. Figure of 8  for M/S recordings.  Choir, Overhead Drums, even acoustic guitar. Works very well with KM84 but also with other cardioids. I believe it was designed to have full bass frequency response in the distant field.  I have often seen it used here in Ireland by RTE, the national broadcast organisation, for Orchestral recordings. Great on mandolin. The only downside is the noise floor which is not the best.
Dan FitzGerald

[Will Russell]

I have used my KM86s in figure 8 pattern, x-y setup for my last 2 drum tracking sessions and Oh My G-d! What a beautiful image of the kit. I placed them in front and above the kit, facing the snare, on axis with the kick and snare.

I think I'm in love.

[Bob Olhsson]

Beginning around 1968 we had virtually ALL KM-86s. I began bringing in my own mikes in order to force them to buy more of a variety.  I did this mostly as a means of learning to use other mikes because the handwriting was on the wall that Motown had outgrown Detroit and would be leaving.

The 86 hasn't got the low frequency roll-off that an 84 has. They really need shockmounting and pop screens. Given that, they sound amazing. I sure wish I had a pair!

[Mark Lemaire]

Bob-

Thanks for your post!

Are you saying that many/ some/ any (?) of our favorite Motown hits were made using KM86 mics exclusively, including vocals?

Was the KM86 ever used for lead VX, in your recollection?

Also: Was the bass generally recorded DI or miked in those days at that studio?

Thanks!


Mark Lemaire


PS: if I ever sell my pair, I'll think of you first!

[Karl Winkler]

ErikS wrote on Tue, 19 October 2004 22:55

One of those microphones many engineers do like, but taken out of production years ago. The main parts from which it was made are still produced, and used in the KM 184, k84 capsule. I would not mind a re-introduction of this mike.

Actually the KM86 and KM84 used the K84 capsule, but the KM 184 uses the K40 derived from the KM 140. It has a slight peak at 9kHz wheras the K84 does not have this peak.

There is also the effect of the larger, more complex grille basket on the KM86, resulting in HF response that is somewhat different than that of the KM84.

It was perhaps 5 years ago or so that I learned of a pair of black-finished KM86 that were NOS at Neumann (!) I shopped them around but I think the steep asking price kept them from being sold at the time. I don't know what became of them.

-Karl

[Bob Olhsson]

Ever? A KM-86 was used for virtually ALL Motown lead and BG vocs. between 1968 and 1972.