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Post by enlav on Aug 30, 2021 9:36:00 GMT -6
I brought back a full report of my conversation with VP Jeff Alexander (at NAMM 2020) with his explanation of why. In a nutshell: "The KM84 continues to be a great microphone, but with the same sound and greatly reduced self-noise of the KM184, we have changed with the times and the digital age and can't see ever going backwards." - I may have a few words wrong. Ward, Interesting quote from Neumann. The "we have changed with the times and the digital age and can't see ever going backwards" part is particularly interesting, since they have, using their words, "gone backwards" by reissuing the 47-Fet (current "changed-with-the-times" model: M-147), and "gone backwards" by reissuing the U-67 (current "changed-with-the-times" model: TLM-67). [...] I find it most interesting that this conversation is from 2020. If you had told me this happened years prior, I would have nodded and thought that maybe they had to shift their philosophy to one deemed more profitable. I've always wondered how well Neumann's more modern offerings/mics actually do in the market. The TLM107 (which.. might be one of their newest offerings, ignoring any reissues?) almost never comes up in organic conversation unless in a Neumann specific or TLM-hate thread. I also wonder how much this sentiment is about keeping confidence in the KM18x microphones. Re-issuing the KM84 might require a bit of finesse: "Back by popular demand, but... I mean, don't get me wrong, the 184's are still great microphones that many studios use!"
Would it be more likely we see a KM54 reissue? If you think about the 47fet and U67 reissues; I'd say they have a greater difference from their closest modern relatives on paper* than the KM84 vs KM184. *= Just to reiterate, I'm speaking more about differences for marketing/advertising, etc. "THIS VERSION HAS TUBES!!!" That sort of mindset.
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Post by mrholmes on Aug 30, 2021 11:03:26 GMT -6
Funny, I own 8 ... 4 are with one of my mobile rigs, and 4 are here in the studio. They are usually the last mic I pic for anything? The only reason I've kept them all is simply due to the rising prices.
Good investment wait a few more years....
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Post by lpedrum on Aug 30, 2021 16:23:51 GMT -6
The overwhelming weight of opinions is that the Warm is not close to an 84 and that the 184 is not “better.” The Neumann 84 is the most beloved SDC of all time period. Owners don’t sell them and in the rare case they do the going price seems to be $2500 and rising. In reissuing the 84 Neumann has the opportunity to make a lot of money and create a public relations feel good moment that would be the microphone event of the decade.
I just said that I am sure that they are into creating new tools. Your personal taste is to 100% not Neumann business - like it or leave it.
Yes, Neumann is into creating new tools as you say. But they sell their "history" also. Case in point, if you go to their website here's what they say about their current u67: U 67 SetThe tube microphone that defined the sound of the 1960s. The original is back!Classic tube circuit, transformer balancedBalanced sound in three polar patternsMeticulously reproduced to original specificationsVintage case, handmade in GermanyThere's no reason they couldn't do the same and reissue the km84. And if used prices continue to rise due to demand I believe they will.
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Post by lpedrum on Aug 30, 2021 18:27:38 GMT -6
Didn't they manufacture a metric ton of them from 1966-1992? There's no shortage of them, it's just that people hang onto them. = shortage
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Post by lpedrum on Aug 30, 2021 18:44:55 GMT -6
Re-issuing the KM84 might require a bit of finesse: "Back by popular demand, but... I mean, don't get me wrong, the 184's are still great microphones that many studios use!"
True, but very doable. The 184 has it's champions, even here on this thread. I prefer a vintage Gibson or Guild acoustic, but many folks prefer the clarity and brightness of a new Taylor. Neumann would not have to trample on it's current models to re-release the KM84. I still maintain that it would be a public relations coup for the company if they did it right.
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Post by chessparov on Aug 30, 2021 19:20:59 GMT -6
Baskin Robbins 31 Flavors. Hmm.. Chris
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Post by Johnkenn on Aug 30, 2021 20:39:58 GMT -6
No idea why they wouldn’t reissue it. I brought back a full report of my conversation with VP Jeff Alexander (at NAMM 2020) with his explanation of why. In a nutshell: "The KM84 continues to be a great microphone, but with the same sound and greatly reduced self-noise of the KM184, we have changed with the times and the digital age and can't see ever going backwards." - I may have a few words wrong. This will likely sound snarky, but isn't intended to; this is simply my honest prediction/random thoughts as to what might happen if Neumann did reissue the KM84. 1. Neumann reissues KM84 to massive applause/celebration/approval. 2. People start buying the new KM84; love it, claim it sounds exactly like their vintage 84. 3. Well-known mic modder states that the new 84 does not sound like a vintage 84, and only his mod can make it sound like a vintage 84. 4. People that previously claimed the new 84 sounded just like vintage 84s now say that the new 84 does not sound like the vintage 84. [/quote] Well he’s a dumbass then.
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Post by mrholmes on Aug 30, 2021 22:27:45 GMT -6
I just said that I am sure that they are into creating new tools. Your personal taste is to 100% not Neumann business - like it or leave it. Yes, Neumann is into creating new tools as you say. But they sell their "history" also. Case in point, if you go to their website here's what they say about their current u67: U 67 SetThe tube microphone that defined the sound of the 1960s. The original is back!Classic tube circuit, transformer balancedBalanced sound in three polar patternsMeticulously reproduced to original specificationsVintage case, handmade in GermanyThere's no reason they couldn't do the same and reissue the km84. And if used prices continue to rise due to demand I believe they will. Its all speculation what we do. Its a company and I am pretty sure they would build more reissues if there would be a larger demand. We have 2021 and not 1960. I cant understand the constant need for going back in time. Yes they made classic records in this time. But today we have advanced tools ... whats the sound of our time. If you need that sound so much there was that DIY kid that KM84 lovers liked a lot. Forgot the name. My guesswork is there is no market for the sound of the km84 thats why they made the 184. Yes you can make great records with the 184, or even with the Mk012. Just answerd because I cant sleep. I am out now.... have fun.
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Post by EmRR on Sept 2, 2021 6:47:36 GMT -6
I'd like to check out the Rode TF-5's.....
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Post by lpedrum on Sept 3, 2021 11:24:30 GMT -6
I'd like to check out the Rode TF-5's..... I’m listening…. Also, I haven’t heard much feedback about the 3U Audio 127 C Flat—supposedly his attempt at an 84.
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