Neumann KMR 81 I Lobe Shotgun Condenser Microphone

The KMR 81 i is a shotgun microphone with a high directivity for situations that require the microphone to be kept at a distance from the source. This is often the case in electronic news gathering (ENG) and film dialogue recording, where the microphone must remain invisible. The KMR 81 i can also be used to obtain a clear and focused sound in noisy environments. Choose this microphone in black or nickel finish.

The KMR 81 I combines a pressure gradient condenser capsule with a medium-length interference tube to achieve a narrow acceptance angle of 90˚ and excellent rejection of unwanted sound. Lobe-shaped pickup pattern is frequency-independent so off-axis sound is picked up at reduced level but without unwanted coloration. This makes it easy to correct a misaligned microphone in postproduction.

Natural sound image comes through in frequency response is highly linear up to 2 kHz while a broad treble lift compensates for high frequency losses that occur when recording at greater distances. The KMR 81 I offers very low self-noise of only 12 dB-A and a high sensitivity of 18 mV/Pa, which can be reduced by 10 dB to protect the microphone input from overload. The KMR 81 i can handle high SPLs of up to 128 dB without audible distortion (138 dB SPL with the preattenuation switch engaged). A second switch activates a 200 Hz low cut to compensate for the proximity effect when the KMR 81 i is use at short distances.

Primarily designed for film and broadcast applications, it is an excellent microphone for movie dialog in studio and on location. The KMR 81 I is very lightweight and has a balanced center of gravity, making it convenient, even after several hours. Due to its low power consumption and its low sensitivity to wind and handling noise, the KMR 81 I is excellently suited for on-location work. Thanks to its natural sound and excellent off-axis behavior, the KMR 81 I can also be used as a problem solver in critical recording situations, e.g. to pick up a soloist in front of an orchestra.

Neumann KMR 81 I Features

• High directivity from lobe-shaped pattern and 90° recording angle
• Excellent rejection of unwanted sound
• Natural sound without off-axis coloration
• Low cut and pad switches
• Lightweight at less than 1/3 of a pound
• Low power consumption

• KMR 81 I Lobe Shotgun Condenser Microphone1
• Windscreen1

• Transducer TypeCondenser
• Polar PatternSupercardioid
• Frequency Range20 Hz - 20 kHz
• Rated Output Impedance150 ohms
• Sensitivity at 1 kHz into 1 kohm18 mV/Pa ± 1 dB
• Equivalent noise level, CCIR (1)23 dB
• Equivalent noise level, A-weighted (2)12 dB-A
• Maximum SPL for THD 0.5% (3)128 dB
• Maximum SPL for THD 0.5% with preattenuation (4)138 dB
• Signal-to-noise ratio, CCIR (re. 94 dB SPL) (5)71 dB
• Signal-to-noise ratio, A-weighted (re. 94 dB SPL) (6)82 dB
• Maximum output voltage1.3 dBu
• Supply voltage (P48, IEC 61938)48 V ± 4 V
• Current consumption (P48, IEC 61938) 0.8 mA
• Matching connectorXLR 3 F
• Weight145 g
• Diameter21 mm
• Length213 mm
• Notes
  • 1) according to IEC 60268-1; CCIR-weighting acccording to CCIR 468-3, quasi peak; A-weighting according to IEC 61672-1, RMS
  • 2) according to IEC 60268-1; CCIR-weighting acccording to CCIR 468-3, quasi peak; A-weighting according to IEC 61672-1, RMS
  • 3) measured as equivalent el. input signal
  • 4) measured as equivalent el. input signal
  • 5) according to IEC 60268-1; CCIR-weighting acccording to CCIR 468-3, quasi peak; A-weighting according to IEC 61672-1, RMS
  • 6) according to IEC 60268-1; CCIR-weighting acccording to CCIR 468-3, quasi peak; A-weighting according to IEC 61672-1, RMS