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musical instrument details
vintage neumann (berlin) kms85 vocal microphone
Estimated price for orientation: 888 $
Category: Microphones and Wireless Systems
Class:
Description Condition: Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition
in the 1970's german microphone manufacturers created the trafficlight (ampel) vocal microphone - especially for condenser microphones. neumann had the kms85, schoeps the cmh34 and microtech gefell the pm750 (see my other auctions). the mix of physical distance and acoustical damping with foam filters made the use of handheld condenser mics possible. the mic on sale here has a small tuchel connector and needs 48 volt phantom power. a short adapter cable to xlr is included. here follows my translation of neumann's release information from 1971 - the original german version you will find under : we would like to turn your attention to a newly developed microphone which will be on sale early 1972. we wanted to develop a microphone useful for close-up recording of vocal and instrumental solo music - including handheld use. our new kms85 meets all these demands: a newly designed acoustical filter and electronics that take high levels without distortion enable to record hiss and pop sounds to be recorded without overload. hiss and pop sounds will be rendered with the natural sound of the condenser capsule. handling noise will be reduced thanks to the double housing which provides an elastic suspension of the actual microphone body. to compensate for the proximity effect a slight basscut has been implemented. directivity is cardioid for less feedback. maximum sensibility is on axis. so far the neumann sales text. i would like to point out that the capsule is a kk84 (which can be swapped to a km84). the basscut is implemented by electronics in the kms85 and by a tighter diaphragm in the km85 capsule. in my opinion it sounds like a km84 as long as you stay within reasonable levels. at a certain point a very soft and pleasant compressor action starts. read "kafka's" comments taken from gearlutz): I just picked up an early km85, and ran some close-mic tests on some clean-to-slightly-jangly electric guitars. I gave it a little bass shelf at 180Hz with a medium Q, and man-o-man what a beautiful sound! It takes the EQ so wonderfully that it doesn't seem to really be missing anything in the bottom. The high end is just soooo smooth and articulate, it picks up that little pick transient that makes the guitar sound like it's talking. I was thinking of picking up a KK84 for it, but now I don't know why I'd bother. a more detailed comment on the kms85 by you may read in audiofanzine.fr (bad english translation in en.audiofanzine.com) some people on the web describe the sound of the kms85 as dull. these people must have forgotten to check the state of the foam inside the windscreen: it developed into a sticky soundabsorbing mess with time (the schoeps cmh34 showed the same problem). strange enough the east german foam in the pm750/860 survived 100%. the kms85 #14220 on offer here got new foam inside (from gefell!) - arranged in the original way. but you may change this arrangment by undoing just four screws. nothing is glued inside the windscreen!. to record strings for example you may use the kms85 without the windscreen. this microphone is in exellent shape. the only flaws i noticed are: a little dent at the front end of the windscreen, a scratch and a few paint chip- offs and finally the case does not carry the same number as the microphone. please note that pictures 3 and 4 are taken from another microphone, but this one looks as clean. this kms85 comes in its original real leather case. return policy: you may return this microphone within two weeks after receipt. in case it does not match the description i'll pay shipping. if you do not want it for any other reason you will have to pay. please check my feedback and bid with confidence! free shipping to worldwide
Description
| Condition: | Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition |
in the 1970's german microphone manufacturers created the trafficlight (ampel) vocal microphone - especially for condenser microphones. neumann had the kms85, schoeps the cmh34 and microtech gefell the pm750 (see my other auctions). the mix of physical distance and acoustical damping with foam filters made the use of handheld condenser mics possible. the mic on sale here has a small tuchel connector and needs 48 volt phantom power. a short adapter cable to xlr is included. here follows my translation of neumann's release information from 1971 - the original german version you will find under : we would like to turn your attention to a newly developed microphone which will be on sale early 1972. we wanted to develop a microphone useful for close-up recording of vocal and instrumental solo music - including handheld use. our new kms85 meets all these demands: a newly designed acoustical filter and electronics that take high levels without distortion enable to record hiss and pop sounds to be recorded without overload. hiss and pop sounds will be rendered with the natural sound of the condenser capsule. handling noise will be reduced thanks to the double housing which provides an elastic suspension of the actual microphone body. to compensate for the proximity effect a slight basscut has been implemented. directivity is cardioid for less feedback. maximum sensibility is on axis. so far the neumann sales text. i would like to point out that the capsule is a kk84 (which can be swapped to a km84). the basscut is implemented by electronics in the kms85 and by a tighter diaphragm in the km85 capsule. in my opinion it sounds like a km84 as long as you stay within reasonable levels. at a certain point a very soft and pleasant compressor action starts. read "kafka's" comments taken from gearlutz): I just picked up an early km85, and ran some close-mic tests on some clean-to-slightly-jangly electric guitars. I gave it a little bass shelf at 180Hz with a medium Q, and man-o-man what a beautiful sound! It takes the EQ so wonderfully that it doesn't seem to really be missing anything in the bottom. The high end is just soooo smooth and articulate, it picks up that little pick transient that makes the guitar sound like it's talking. I was thinking of picking up a KK84 for it, but now I don't know why I'd bother. a more detailed comment on the kms85 by you may read in audiofanzine.fr (bad english translation in en.audiofanzine.com) some people on the web describe the sound of the kms85 as dull. these people must have forgotten to check the state of the foam inside the windscreen: it developed into a sticky soundabsorbing mess with time (the schoeps cmh34 showed the same problem). strange enough the east german foam in the pm750/860 survived 100%. the kms85 #14220 on offer here got new foam inside (from gefell!) - arranged in the original way. but you may change this arrangment by undoing just four screws. nothing is glued inside the windscreen!. to record strings for example you may use the kms85 without the windscreen. this microphone is in exellent shape. the only flaws i noticed are: a little dent at the front end of the windscreen, a scratch and a few paint chip- offs and finally the case does not carry the same number as the microphone. please note that pictures 3 and 4 are taken from another microphone, but this one looks as clean. this kms85 comes in its original real leather case. return policy: you may return this microphone within two weeks after receipt. in case it does not match the description i'll pay shipping. if you do not want it for any other reason you will have to pay. please check my feedback and bid with confidence! free shipping to worldwide