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This is, far and away, the best microphone I've ever used for live performance. Previously I have used the Shure SM-58 and Beta 58, and more recently I've been using a Shure Beta 87a. I have used other brands and models of microphones, but have always preferred the Shure products for both their good resistance to feedback and, most important, their durability. I've never had a problem with any Shure mic on stage. That said, I decided to try the Neumann based on the rave reviews I've read online. It has met my expectations in every way. First, it is louder than the Beta 87a, and it has a (slightly) clearer tone when compared side by side. I would expect an increase in clarity, given the price, but the volume increase was interesting, as was the slight increase in mid-bass response. Resistance to feedback is on a par with the beta 87a, and that's saying a lot. This is a fantastic mic for one who takes his vocals seriously. It costs twice the price of the 87a, but in my opinion, it's worth it!Read full review
Over the years (ok, decades), I've used a lot of different mics in a lot of different settings. I've often been puzzled to find that something I'd written off as horrible actually worked well with a particular combination of music, room, and sound tech. Similarly, I find I can still occasionally struggle with rigs that really ought to work. Beta 58s are pretty predictable and road tough, but I find the built in "presence" boost, tight pattern, and proximity effect that many people love didn't work for me. Rather than crunchy trebles and biting mids, I much prefer the clarity that comes from the speedy tracking of transients that comes from condensor mics. For matching responses for a band full of vocalists, I eventually settled on a fleet of Shure Beta 87A mics, - but for my personal use, my research pointed at the KMS 105. It was right when I got it and remains my mic of choice years later. My personal challenge is that my musical taste is very eclectic and my vocal dynamic range goes from loud and shrill to whisper quiet, and I sing a lot of harmony. As a result, I need the ability to back off or eat the mic with minimal change in tone. With the 105, I can move way back and yell a high note without shredding ear drums with naked trebles or subtly move anywhere I like close to the windscreen without falling on or off shelf of proximity effect bass boost. Relative to many other mics, the Neumann is colourless, but even so there is a warm (as opposed to biting) presence to the mids that really does sound like a Neumann. I have learned to like this bit of colour when I happen to notice it. In addition, I find the mic is solidly built and gives me a road tough feeling and confidence that continues after years of use. This is important to me because I once had a Sennheiser that changed its sound so drastically after some road use that it became too ugly sounding to use. The cons: I was sort of hoping that I could use the KMS 105 for recording. I guess I could, but the background hiss is louder than a real recording mic, and while it is much more sensitive than most stage mics, the need to limit feedback during live performance means that it is far less sensitive than a mic designed specifically for recording. If its all you've got, it will do better than many, but I generally use other mics for recording (unless I am tapping a feed off the board during a live performance). Also, while the KMS 105 is my personal ideal stage mic, this doesn't mean that everyone will like it. The tone is different from just about anything else you can try. It is very even, sensitive and accurate, but different. If you like an enhanced sound, and love working the warm ripeness of proximity effect, or the bite of edgy mids, you may feel like your bike's pedals are spinning but the chain fell off. Also the cardioid pattern extends much farther back than most stage mics. While this is perfect for my application where I want huge flexibility in working the mic, this does open you up to feedback. If your music and venues require a tighter pattern to minimize howls and screeches, you might be better off with a Shure 87A. It offers nice condenser-style capturing of transients for clarity without treble crunch, but a more coloured sound and a fair bunch of proximity effect. For some applications, I like my 87A better than my Neumann, and I really don't mind using a 58 for a raunch & roll gig. But come down to it, the 105 is my steed of choice.Read full review
This is the superlative live vocal microphone. It is totally transparent, responsive, and it is true to what it is being fed. If you are looking for a vocal mic that will hide your vocalistic imperfections, off-kilter pitch warble, drunken karaoke mutterings which sound better in your head than what gets recorded...you might want to consider another transducer. The Neumann folks got everything right with this baby. Sturdy construction, excellent dynamics, full open sound, clarity that will humble you and make you want to become a better person and treat yourself with way more respect, if you can even fathom that...Seriously. This microphone single handedly and second handedly has changed the course of my life, forever. I just wish I knew how to sing better, so as to justify it's existence in this physical dimension. This microphone is proof positive that perfection exists, and if you find that your mileage results are otherwise after having acquired this gem of the Jade Monkey...you probably should not be singing anyways.Read full review
Just attempting to UPgrade my vocals, and this mic has ALWAYS been touted as the best one for 'live' vocals, with recording quality sound. Even better, when I had some questions about the Phantom power voltage to run the mic, I simply wrote to the Neumann company, and I received an almost immediate response from one of the company engineers, who put me on the right track! Excellent product, and excellent support!! Can't say enough good things about it!
This is the clearest, cleanest most detailed stage mic I have ever used. It has a very flat response and for better or worse it accurately reproduces EVERYTHING. They are expensive but you definitely get what you pay for. We now have 2 and will soon have 3.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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