Neumann KMS 105 Condenser Mic Review / Test
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- Опубліковано 2 сер 2024
- Today I review the Neumann KMS105, one of the best live stage microphones you can buy. This is a super cardioid condenser microphone that extends from 20Hz - 20khz, and provides a very detailed and clear sound while maintaining a smooth and pleasing tone. It also does a admirable job at plosive rejection and handling noise rejection. I also include a comparison to the Audio Technica AT2010, Rode M2, and Shure Beta87a.
Buy the Neumann KMS105 (Amazon Affiliate)
Global: geni.us/kms105
Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen) (Amazon Affiliate) - Same Performance as 18i20
Global: geni.us/2i32rd
00:00 - Intro / Price
00:32 - Setup
00:49 - What’s in the Box
01:15 - Build Quality
01:45 - Specifications
02:10 - Polar Pattern Test
02:28 - Handling Noise Test
02:40 - Plosive Test
02:48 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
03:05 - Background Noise Test (Keyboard Test)
03:18 - Comparison to AT2010, M2, and Beta87a
03:55 - Music Test
05:05 - Pros & Cons
06:22 - Overall Thoughts
07:17 - Recommendation
07:58 - Outro
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Fun nerd fact: this is the microphone used by James Brown during his collaboration with Luciano Pavarotti in their live, orchestrated performance of "It's a Man's Man's Man's World".
Perfect timing on a review. Just started looking at this mic!
love the comparison bit. please do more of those in the future
This is my personal favorite stage vocal mic. I only own one so it rarely gets used as most live productions call for a backup. It is so perfect in so many ways it’s a bit unbelievable. It immediately puts a big smile on the face of every singer I’ve used it with. Every single one, and that’s worth a lot. It even changes the way some sing because they are hearing their voice fully for the first time. It’s hard to put a value on that kind of thing, inspiration is kinda priceless.
Like all Neumanns, it will last a lifetime. The only competitors that even come close are the $1000 DPA d:facto and Shure’s $700 dual capsule KSM9, but I still personally prefer the KMS-105 for its flawlessly smooth midrange response.
I notice in reviews that it has a lot less bass presence than mics like the Shure SM58. Does that affect your vocals when you are singing? Note that I am not saying one mic is better than the other.
Mojave MA D sounds better.
Yet another episode where I enjoy your funny antics and musical performances.
Cheers 😄
You and Mike are the best Microphone reviewers / testers out there
Loved your song this time, especially the solo riff!
The KMS 105 is hands down my favorite stage vocal mic!!!
You sound quality has gotten much better, keep the good work 👍
Best box toss of all your videos.
Great mic... great review...I've a KMS 105...I just love this mic...so natural,so pleasant...one of the best condenser mics for live performance on this planet...✌️
Always good analyse...thank you Mister Podcastage..you're the best
Great review man. As a voice actor, I'm really picky about VO recordings. Like probably way more picky than is necessary. I'm blown away how fantastic your voice sounds on this. Fantastic.
My wife is a Jazz singer with a really smooth high and mid-range voice definitely on the quiet side. She bought one several years ago and loves it for live performance and recording. She went through a pile of dynamic and condenser mics before finding this one and has since stopped shopping for microphones. In the end I think it saved us a lot of money. :)
We ended up using the Neumann about eight out of ten times vs our much more expensive Audio Technica AT4060 and Brauner Phanthera for vocals in the studio. We also decided to skip on buying the mid priced TLM 103, after borrowing it for a week. All of these large diaphragm microphones are more detailed and technically better, but the combination of warmth, smooth, unobtrusive highs with just the right amount of presence and clarity is a winning combination with us.
Bought this microphone around [or more than] ten years ago. Absolutely no regrets since then. I’m surprised they changed the box, though! When I bought it, it was in a very sturdy, roadworthy, cardboard cylinder. I still store it in that cylinder, which has not degraded. Even the packaging stands the test of time, so honestly, it’s totally worth the money.
Congrats! You did a very good review!
Mein Live-MIC 😍
Super review. Thx man and greets from Deutschland 🇩🇪
Great review as always and that throw! Lmao. Maximum effort!
mikeyperk might be the best box throw on this channel
Got this one and a Beta 87a too, and yeah this microphone is stunning. For podcasting & everyday use 87a for recording my voice Neumann. But in some ways they’re very similar. Great microphones!
Hi i am from Malaysia. I just ordered this Mic after watching your reviews and read a few positives comments. Thank you!!!
Always like this mic for voice every time I hear it.
Ya, it sound's nice for sure!
I've been watching many of your reviews and they have been very helpful choosing microphones for my upcoming karaoke business. The sound quality in your videos is great. This was the best sounding microphone so far for my ears but maybe not almost 3x better than the Shure you used in this review. Hard to put a price tag on so minor differences between many different microphones.I think I would value this to a price between 400-500. Would be happy to spend that amount for this awesome sounding piece.Thank you for the excellent and yet fun review.
Greetings from Finland.
Benny
you can buy them in great conditon from revern for that price, just got one for 375 barely used.
Your videos are just amazing!!!!
Thank you very much Keeana, that's very kind of you.
I own this mic and I love it! It's just incredible. Crystal clear voice. Very pleasing, so much detail, never boring. Insane. It's so easy to produce a great audio with this.
Do you use it for studio recording too?
@@ossee85 I use it only for spoken word, for studio I find that TLM 103 is better. Sound is very similar. KSM 105 is stage TLM 103. But some people in comments were mentioning that they use it in studio.
I watch every single one of your reviews. I just can’t get enough - But one question though; is it possible you can make some reviews on several usb mixers? Thanks!
One of my favorites! This one sounds SO GOOD live. I had a few people that sounded perfect on it and it always made them sound like it was on a studio produced album. It helped that their pitch was perfect, too, haha.
I curse people with perfect pitch! If only I had that gift. I just see Jacob Collier and get angry while being full of joy with how amazing it is!
So, is this better than bringing a decent vertical regular condenser?..........
This one sounds great on your voice, bro.... rich....
I love this as a live stage mic!
I’ve had this mic for 11 years on tonnes of live tours and gigs. Not only does it sound incredible, but it is super robust.
It’s fallen on the grill a so many times, yet still sounds amazing.
Flawless.
I have even used it occasionally with clients’ vocals in my studio. It just suits SOME voices so much better than my U47 Clone (which is an amazing mic).
u47 Yeah right .
great review. next time want to see you throw the whole package.
I bought one of these recently, and it is absolutely lovely. What surprised me was how well it did in the studio. So much so, that my TLM 103 is collecting a little dust (though it is a little better for spoken word). Through a neve-clone that is cranked way up, it achieves a sound that seems always usable, very smooth. I do still turn to a dynamic for some rock vocals, because those mics create a little 'thump' in the mid-low that condensers do not. But dammit, well done Neumann!
I liked your voice quality! You truly sing very well!
Thank you very much for the kind words. That really does mean a lot.
Great mic review! I have had both this mic and the Beta 87 A for almost 20 years. I have gigged for a long time... Here is my 2 cents. If your bread and butter comes from playing various gigs from outdoors, to festivals, to large crowds... well this mic might not be to best for that application. 99 times out of a 100 I will use the Beta 87 A. It just feels appropriate for most gigging environments. It rejects stuff you don’t want to be amplified. The KMS 105 is very detailed- If you are playing for a quiet listening room like the Blue Bird in Nashville, Well this might be the mic you’d want to use. It is a great mic. But sometimes it is too good for some gigs- at least in my opinion.
One night I had the pleasure of attending a Dan Fogelberg concert (one of his “unplugged” shows.) I was sitting near the sound man, who incidentally had also run sound for many other great artists. He was very willing to chat with me that night. I asked what mic Fogelberg was using and he handed the Beta 87 A. Then he said to me, “Do you want to see what I wish he was using?” I said sure! He handed me the Neumann KMS 105. That sold me on both of those mics.
More Neumann? Yes please!
Thanks for the this.
I love this microphone, thank you for doing this review! Check out the Sennheiser e965 if you get a chance, it's a handheld LDC.
e965 and Shure KSM9 are direct competitors
I would love to own neumann Microphones. These mics sounds so good No EQ is needed irrespective the genre or instrument that is recorded.
Thanks for the review. I've always been wondering how the Neumann handhelds sound. Now I'll stick with my Lewitt 940 CM …
I have a few lewitts that I am going to review in the next few months.
The best handheld vocal mic on the planet, IMO. I'm a singer and have used dozens of other mics over the years. The minute I tried this one I knew I had to own it. So smooth, silky, and complimentary for my voice. Crystal clear yet never shrill. This is not only an amazing live vocal mic, but is also great for recording too, so $700 isn't unreasonable when you consider it can serve a dual purpose.
There is much more on this planet. I this even SM7B is better than this mic.
@@HarvinderSingh-yy8th I own that mic too. it's a dynamic not a condenser, and while it's a good mic, it doesn't have anywhere near the detail and polish of a Neumann. And good luck using one live on a loud stage.
The best mic for live vocals. I have three and wouldn't use anything else for live work! Records extremely well also. When you team it up with a Neve Pre-Amp, live vocals don't get much better!!!! :)
Your voice sounds so good with this mike... wow!
I would say if you make your money with the best possible sounding voice, then 700$ is ok.
If it is only a hobby, even a passionate one, it might be a bit high priced.
As record for my clients during sessions, I depend on really good live recording equipment, and this mike has now caught my attention.
Thanks for the video! I had one. It was good. Liked it better than the 87a, but I sold both. The 105 and 87a were #2 and #1 picks for podcasting by Marco Arment. They sounded fine, the 105 was better, but I not 2.8x better. I only used them for voice on videos didn't think either was the best choice for me. I bought both used though, as they are too expensive new.
I needed that video at least for the power throw.
Also the DAWS keys, huh ;D
I bought this mic and the combo with ssl 2+ with that 4k button on sounded like you was at a booth. Due I live in apartment, this mic is prefect for that.
To cut a long story short, - yes that mic is amazing. Using it for more than a decade on stage and in studio.
🍀💫🧸🙏
Great review!My favorite affordable hand condenser mic is Audio-technica ATM 710..EV PL84 is also much better than Rode M2
Came back to this video and huh that Rode M2 is looking better and better.
It think it's well worth its price tag .I gotta Neumann Tlm103 which is so clear and so pleasing to listen to I think this one sounds just as great . I buy it
I’ m french and that’s a good video thx you I be purchased this microphone
Currently using this mic as my everyday right now. It’s obviously the best mic I’ve ever used no doubt about it, it’s for the smoothest clear high end response I’ve ever heard. And the rest of the tone is warm and balanced. My only issue is that I wish it was more around the 500$ price tag, as I don’t think 800$ is worth it unless you have the budget for it. The closest thing I’d compare it to is the sennheiser e965 stage condenser, and that’s around 500$. I’d like to see you do a comparison with these two, or minimally one on the sennheiser e965. Or could save some people some bucks
I agree this is a fantastic mic. If I remember correctly it has the same capsule as the KMS184 (which is one of my favorite SDCs) with some different filtering on it. I haven't tried the E965 and I don't own it yet so I can't do that comparison yet, but that's a great recommendation.
Best mic video ever
Good video!
Great stuff man. Have you tried the Samson C05-CL handheld condenser mic? It's pretty great and very budget friendly!
Dang in that comparison! What is it with Neumann just sounding so perfectly balanced on vocals! It’s the exact sound I love!
I would never buy one of these with that price. But I did. And I'm happy. I love my kms105.
LMFAO at that box throw Bandrew! As far as that Neumann mic it's way out of my price range but it sure did sound good. BTW, you forgot to include the part of the video where you post that the sound gets LOUD, etc... Nearly blew my eardrums out!.............only kidding....... :)
Nice review. I also saw the WA73 in the video and was wondering if you could do a review of that or a shoot out vs BAE 1073. Seriously considering both of these and wondering if WA is good enough or worth spending the extra $$$ for BAE. Thanks
Judging from just this simple comparison, I like the Rode the best. It’s nice and warm and smooth.
Hi, excelent video and I got a question: Does this mic work good for vocal recording application?
I love this channel
A great live vocal mic!
What a strong arm!
great ! bravo. i think the price is justified
Would love to see a review of the Røde S1 and compared to this! I hear they are similar style microphones, but more affordable.
Amazing video. Boy how you threw the box! loool yes it sounds fantastic, I agree. Can you compare this to Rode NT1?
The NT1's high mids are a mess compared to even a Rhode M2. Both aren't nearly as nice up high either, they tend to get grainy sounding by comparison.
They're also way cheaper, but I'd still reach for a beta58a over them unless I realllly needed the articulation for some reason.
I have mixed probably near 1000 shows with one of those. They are fantastic. The internals are equally impressive as the externals. All of the components are epoxy coated on the circuit board. The only issue that happen with the is the ground of the capsule are held to the circuit board with two set screws that need to tightend every so often. You won't ever be disappointed with one of those live. It's worth the money and I own one. I like the Beta 87 but the 105 works better for loud vocals as the capsule is huge in comparison. The beta 87 is still a great sound though.
I love this mic. I never use it live, only in studio where the richness on voice and singing really shows off. Did I mention I love this mic?
@MrKalashnik0va Because I prefer the way it sounds. The only reason that matters.
@MrKalashnik0va No, it's less common in professional studios because handling noise can occur. However, it's really handy in home studios and this mic has no handling noise because it's designed for live performance and uses a supercardioid acoustic pattern, which further blocks distant noise. Super handy in homes where there are commonly other sources of noise in the background.
Same! I actually prefer the warmth and sweet midrange of this mic to the 102.
MrKalashnik0va I wouldn’t describe the KMS as boxy at all. It’s a really natural sounding mic. To me the 102 is boxy sounding.
@MrKalashnik0va No I actually have a 103 as well and the 103 is super resonant/bright on the top male range. The KMS to me has a really sweet/warm mid range though. How he demonstrates it here is a pretty accurate representation of it. Also since it is a hand held it requires a bit more gain on it of course.
The BEST reviewer
fantastic videos mate !! can u do e965 ?
I love this mic. I am looking for a versatile, best-quality mic to travel with on a sailboat for recording and gigging and vlogging... I think this is the one. Although the Rode would likely do the job and in your reviews I preferred the Rode on both electric and acoustic guitars. But for vocal the 105 just kills.
This mic made it back onto the stand for my voice chats and I really have been enjoying it. It’s a top tier mic, that’s for sure.
Hi! Great review! Is that mic good for home studio? How much is the difference vs neumann U87 for recording? I'm understand that is ridiculous to compare stage and studio mics but my beyerdynamic tg v96 quite good for both. What is your opinion?
this mic with an aer amp -> pure joy
It’s at 3:18 that this microphone seemed to be the King.. !! Amazing.
One of the very few condensor hand mics that sounds like a regular condensor.
I expect due to grill design to prevent plosives, most have that odd sound when you are close up them.
My one gripe with this mic is it has a -3db, 120hz high pass filter built into it and you can't disable it. It makes the low end a bit too thin. I realise I can just fix that with EQ but Neumann should really give us the option on whether or not we want the high pass engaged, especially since most of us would rather apply it in post.
I may be misremembering, but I believe the capsule in the KM184/KM185 are the same as the KMS104 and KMS105. The handhelds are just tuned slightly differently for the stage use. So maybe one of the regular Neumann SDC's could fit the bill for ya.
I'd be interested in your comparison of the KMS 105 to the BCM 705. I use the BCM 705 for most of my in-studio work but I need a handheld mic for man-on-the-street style Podcast interviews; like at trade shows, where I'm just wandering around interviewing people. I own several Sennheiser e835s (Dynamic, cardioid) which are sort of "pastel" (using color as a metaphor) compared to the "vivid" sound provided by the 705. Of course the $100 e835s sound can be equalized in post for much less than $700 but if the KMS 105 can deliver consistent results it would make the workflow easer.
Hi. I really hope you could make a review of Shure KSM9 as well. Would like to know your take on it being a studio-grade condenser live vocal microphone, and how it will perform if used for studio recording. Thank you.
I just bought the KMS 105 and can't wait to try it! One thing I always find interesting is that musicians can easily spend $1500 to $4000 on a high quality acoustic guitar. Yet when it comes to vocals, $700 for a mic is perceived as somehow exorbitant. If you value your vocals as much as your guitar and/or other instruments, then $700 for a world class microphone is a fantastic value in my book. Think of it this way- you can buy one of the best live performing mics on the planet for around the same price as a Martin X-series entry level acoustic guitar.
Absolutely. I still use this mic fairly regularly and still love it. That's one fantastic thing about mics, if you treat them well they'll last you a life time.
3:56 musically that sounded so dope. Did you make that up or is that from an actual song?
Great review! Do the shure ksm9 :)
SuperJail
Thanks review!!
Hi ! Awsome video! Have you tested any t.bone studio mics? i love the sound of my t bone sct 2000 but i want a stage mic close to that sound. Personally my shure beta 58a compared to the sct 2000 sounds like being under a blanket and my beta87a too thin and harsh. Neither of these compares to the sct 2000 sound. Do you think kms105 or some other stage mic goes close?
Hi awsome review! Have you tested any of the t bones? i love the sound of my t bone sct 2000 but i want a stage mic close to that sound. Do you think the neumann kms105 is close ? Personally my shure beta 58a compared sounds like being under a blanket and my beta87a very thin and harsh. Neither of these compares to the sct 2000 sound. Do you think kms105 or some other stage mic goes close?
Lol you NAILED your camera with that box throw 😂 had to watch it 3x to notice
Just purchased my first KM 105. Moving up from Sennheiser 431. Started with an Sm58 beta. Moved to Sennheiser 431. Now moving up to the ultimate vocalist, Mic, 105.
Love your video. And you’re right, Neumann should start sending you their stuff for review. Love the presentation and how you deliver.
I’m a pro singer.
I am one of those vocalist with lots of finesse the 431 has been great for that, and I am expecting the missing, mid highs and enhanced bass proximity affect to bring it all out into the full wide open with the 105. Your review gives me great confidence that will be achieved and it was influential in my purchase decision. Thank you!
Danke!
The price tag refers more to construction quality then on the sound, of course it sound damned good but you can trust your life with Neumann mikes, we used them only for studio voice overs or narration and we used two of them with different settings.
I heard someone explain it this way. When you pay a high price for a microphone, you're not paying for the components in your microphone, but you're paying for the components that did not meet the strict standards required to go into the mic as well.
@@Podcastage yep, that is also true as most any other over expensive comodity. They make excelent and durable mikes for decades, but for stage, unless you are into something different and more exclusive, sm58 is the war mike. :) like your reviews, to the point and I agree with most of them :)
Dis bad boi sound good
Interesting! I'll probably still buy it because I buy guitars and amps and all kinds of stuff for music, why not a good mic and preamp?
Surprised how good the shure sounded too....
Hey bandrew!! How does it sound in a non treated room?? Does it pick up the room?
It is quite nice
Love this review but darn the price on it
Now anytime Im testing a mic i cant resist to say "please bring pizza pronto"
Great video. Having used this for live shows the last 4 years, I can say it’s not just worth the price. It’s a bargain.
My confidence rose, and even audiences have referenced the quality of the sound.
This should be the live mic every singer aspires to. Just watch the feedback from side speakers at high volumes!
omg dude u make me wanna buy it today before tomrrow
@@kc-ug6gu really recommend it. There’s certain things that just give you a confident feeling, and make you feel cool because of the way they look. I had to save up for a while to get it but never looking back! Hope you can pick one up too!
@@AdrianVenturaMusic i hope
ill get 1 soon it will be an upgrade from sm7b to kms 105
Hahaha love the intro
The Rode M2 sounded pretty close. The only possible issue might be self noise which I think you gave at 18dBA - quite high for voiceover work considering you will also need more gain than usual given this is only rated at -47dB. If it were my choice for a handheld condenser of this type I'd go with the Rode M2. I have an M3 in my collection which sounds very similar but again has quite high self noise being a small capsule unit.
I picked up a Lewitt MTP440DM recently. A dynamic large disphram instrument mic similar to a Shure SM57 but with a 6dB hotter output, flatter response & great room rejection. Give it a whirl at c$100 - it's a sleeper in my view for podcast/voiceover use. Although not primarily a vocal mic it does include a foam windscreen inside the head, better still if you pop on a clown nose.
PS: I also picked up a Yamaha AG03 last week which you reviewed very favourably. You were right, it's a superb unit. I usually use a Scarlett Solo but wanted some compression and eq option in hardware which the Yamaha provides, and it works perfectly on Linux. Good pre amp too and easily as quiet as the Solo. Here in the UK it even costs the same as the Solo but is way better featured for someone wishing to focus on 1-2 inputs. Thanks for the positive review, Yamaha got a sale :)
Yes. Bit on the high side. For the handheld condensers iirc this is lower than its competitors.
This is the microphone used by Matthew Bellamy (MUSE) & Thom York (RADIOHEAD) in live!
This is the best microphone EVER.
I mean, I’m never going to buy one of these, but love the idea. Watching podcastage is a morning ritual. God I should get on with some writing and stop staring at your channel and fantasising about microphones.
Bandrew, you are a great influence for my studio setting. If you chould choose between a KMS104 and a SM7B, both for about 350$, which one would you choose for a slightly treated room? Thank you
The 104 has more bass pickup, and the 104 Plus has *even more* bass pickup over that.