I’ve been a huge fan of John’s P84s for quite some time now. As clones of the original KM 84 design, it’s great to have access to all of the warmth and unhyped detail of what made the original a classic. I find the P84s arrive at a near perfect blend of transient detail and smoothness for an SDC, which seems to minimize unwanted harshness and highlight a natural and focused midrange. It’s this fusion of traditional musicality and smooth detail that cause me to always consider the P84s when searching for an excellent workhorse pair of SDC microphones.
--David Barrett, Sound Pure Pro Audio Specialist
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The P84 is a faithful recreation of the legendary Neumann KM84. Unlike the modern more hyped sounding KM184 the P84 is much more neutral through the high frequencies and displays the same characteristic smoothness you'd expect from an original KM84. One thing I like over the original (and maybe its a result of newer electronics) is the P84s high frequency detail. I hear more high frequency content without it sounding overly modern or bright.
I particularly like how the P84 behaves when placed close to stringed instruments. The smoother response really adds a level of musicality to my guitar playing while still allowing the natural tone of the instrument to ring clear. It’s a natural sound, but it’s far from sterile with a warmth that is slight but ever present. Of course depending on the style, the modern or hyped sound might be just what the doctor ordered. In this case I’d reach for something like the Miktek C5 or maybe the Neumann KM184.
Getting the omni capsule (or capsules with the stereo set) is a generous bonus. The flight case is solid and the wooden box the mic comes in adds a nice bit of charm, but the shock mount is a tad bit disappointing. I like to use mine with the Rycote InVision INV-7 to tighten the low frequency response.
These mics truly walk the line between modern-hyped and Vintage-dark and have found a permanent home in my studio.
