Neumann KM84 Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphone - Used From Neumann

The classic Neumann pencil condensor to which all others are measured. In Used, Very Good condition

Buy Pre-owned from Sound Pure with Absolute Confidence

Sound Pure's dedication to pre-owned products is unprecedented in the industry. We are a small team of dedicated experts that buys, trades, and consigns. We are trusted by customers all over the world. Our curated collection, is thoroughly tested and inspected by some of the best in the business. Our inventory is constantly changing, ever-evolving, with some items sold before reaching the website. Looking for something specific? Have questions about this product's condition or history? Want more photos, or to simply chat with an expert who's had his hands on this actual piece? Contact us now.

Our Current Used/Vintage Collection »

Sound Pure's Consignment Program »

Luthier Certification for Used Instruments »

"Gone, Baby, Gone"

This one is sold. Don't miss the next one. Some things never even make it to the site so stay up to date on our used collection.

We get in many oddities, rare and vintage products, most of which go fast. If you're on the hunt for something specific, something unique, or something priced right, let us notify you on our used collection before the items even hit the site.

Want to know if one lands?

Notify Me

Want to discuss what's coming?

Call Us! Toll Free! 888-528-9703
Local / International (+1) 919-682-5552

Talk with a Specialist

What We Think

This item has been tested and is in excellent working order. It has some cosmetic imperfections. There is some pitting, scratches, and minor dents on the body. The clip is not original. The sound is and is exactly the combination of warmth and precision you expect from vintage Neumann.

Want More Great Content?

Manufacturer's Description from Neumann

The KM 84 is a small-diaphragm FET condenser with a fixed Cardioid pickup pattern. It was the world’s first phantom-powered microphone, built to run on 48v DC. Its design goal was to be as small as possible; the model name ‘KM’ stands for Kleine Mikrofon (“small microphone”).

The model number indicates the powering mechanism (8 = phantom power) and polar pattern (4 = cardioid).

Although discontinued in 1992, the KM-84 remains a favorite of vintage mic enthusiasts for drum overheads and hi-hat applications.

Neumann’s KM 184 was intended to be a replacement for the KM 84, but the two mics sound sufficiently different that the KM 84 has remained a standard by which modern FET pencil mics are judged. (See the KM 184 page for additional discussion of the physical and sonic differences between these microphones.)

The mic is known for having an exceptionally flat frequency response and its ability to maintain its cardioid pickup pattern across the frequency spectrum.

The capsule, Neumann model KK 64 and later designated KK 84, utilizes an innovative backplate design developed by Neumann in 1964. Whereas most condenser microphone backplates rely on a pattern of through-holes to provide access to the front diaphragm to soundwaves entering from the rear, the so-called “crossed-slit” design incorporates a series of eight intersecting grooves. The grooves allow the sound from the through-holes to be more evenly distributed across the diaphragm. The result is an improvement in polar pattern control and in off-axis frequency response. This “crossed-slit” design is retained in the current Series 180 microphones (including the KM 184).

About Manufacturer

Specializing in some of the finest microphones in the world, Neumann has developed a top name in the industry for consistency, reliability, and sonic excellence. With microphones suited for the entire range of studio recording (and more recently live application), Neumann microphones are often a first choice for uncompromised acoustic reproduction.