Neumann KM84 vs Soyuz Su-011 - Shootout with audio files

bluegrassdan
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Posts: 621

Neumann KM84 vs Soyuz Su-011 - Shootout with audio files Oct 24, 2016 19:56:27 GMT -6 mulmany and sopwith like this

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Post by bluegrassdan on Oct 24, 2016 19:56:27 GMT -6

After so much interest in the previous thread, here is a shootout between a pair of KM84s and the new Soyuz Su-011.
Very interested to hear everyone's thoughts. This was quite a surprising shootout with results that I did not quite expect.

"Danny Boy"

Spaced pair stereo, L mic at neck joint, R mic over shoulder pointed near bridge
Mics > AML ez1073 > Apogee conversion > Pro Tools
These are two separate performances with the mics in identical positions.

Danny Boy, Soyuz Su-001
Danny Boy, Neumann KM84

"Gold Rush"

Mono mics with capsules phase aligned nearly touching, about 12"-14" in front of neck joint.
Mics > Apogee preamps/convertors (to minimize variation) > Pro Tools
These are of the same performance.

Gold Rush, Soyuz Su-001
Gold Rush, Neumann KM84

All files are level matched. Recorded at 24/88.2. Bounced to mp3 at 320 kbps (let me know if you want links to the 24 bit version)

Let me know what you all think. Thanks in advance!

drbill RGO Senior Member Posts: 7,969	Neumann KM84 vs Soyuz Su-011 - Shootout with audio files Oct 24, 2016 23:41:02 GMT -6 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by drbill on Oct 24, 2016 23:41:02 GMT -6 Left my thoughts on the other thread. KM84 =

bricejchandler
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Posts: 837

Neumann KM84 vs Soyuz Su-011 - Shootout with audio files Oct 25, 2016 2:04:08 GMT -6

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Post by bricejchandler on Oct 25, 2016 2:04:08 GMT -6

I like the 84 better here too. It sounds like I'm there with you and I hear clearer note separation, particularly around 00:23-00:25 on the gold rush, where the soyuz sounds a little tubby to me.

I guess only you can really know which sounds closer to the source but to me the km84 sounds more natural ( which is a sound I like) and the Soyuz sounds a little compressed with thicker lows almost like you're using a heavier pick.

rowmat
RGO Senior Member

Posts: 2,300

Neumann KM84 vs Soyuz Su-011 - Shootout with audio files Oct 25, 2016 2:25:35 GMT -6

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Post by rowmat on Oct 25, 2016 2:25:35 GMT -6

Nice playing once again.

The KM84 has great midrange focus as always.

The Soyuz seems to accentuate the highs a little (or maybe it's tiny bit scooped compared to the KM84?) but to its credit manages to stay quite sweet.

In some ways it reminds me a little of a cross between the KM84 and a Josephson C42.
So will I be selling my KM84's and buying SU-11's?... Ummm... No.

Last Edit: Oct 25, 2016 2:33:09 GMT -6 by rowmat

Martin John Butler
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Singer/Songwriter/Producer/

Posts: 7,988

Neumann KM84 vs Soyuz Su-011 - Shootout with audio files Oct 25, 2016 8:45:15 GMT -6

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Post by Martin John Butler on Oct 25, 2016 8:45:15 GMT -6

Great post BGD, and great picking' too!

In this case, I like the 84's, there's a little more of a natural sound, transients are sharper. That said, the 0-11 has its own character, and is great in its own way. It smooths things out a little, making them a little more relaxing to listen to.

In my case, I play too dynamically, and then have difficulty getting an acoustic guitar to sit in my tracks, so I compress, usually with an 1176 plug. I'd much rather start with the 0-11's and not have to do that.

So, I'd still prefer the 0-11, but that's for me. The 84's are just perfect here, and I sure wouldn't be unhappy about owning a pair instead of borrowing them all the time.

www.martinjohnbutler.com

drbill RGO Senior Member Posts: 7,969	Neumann KM84 vs Soyuz Su-011 - Shootout with audio files Oct 25, 2016 9:11:42 GMT -6 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by drbill on Oct 25, 2016 9:11:42 GMT -6 Martin - you should try a KM86 when you have a chance. Sounds like it might be the ticket for your playing style.

jcoutu1 RGO Sales Customer Mr. 1000 Posts: 9,336	Neumann KM84 vs Soyuz Su-011 - Shootout with audio files Oct 25, 2016 11:40:10 GMT -6 mhbunch likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by jcoutu1 on Oct 25, 2016 11:40:10 GMT -6 The KM84 (Gold Rush) provides better note definition and more detail. I downloaded and popped the 2 files into ABXer and could reliably pick the 84 as my preference.
	themixinghouse.com Berklee Alumnus Drummer/Bassist

M57 RGO Senior Member Having a nice day. Posts: 2,368	Neumann KM84 vs Soyuz Su-011 - Shootout with audio files Oct 25, 2016 16:28:34 GMT -6 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by M57 on Oct 25, 2016 16:28:34 GMT -6 I didn't bother with the ABXer, so take it with a grain of salt but the Soyuz seemed noticeably thinner in the meat of it's tessitura. I was rooting for the Soyuz.
	soundcloud.com/m57

Neumann KM84 vs Soyuz Su-011 - Shootout with audio files

Post by bluegrassdan on Oct 24, 2016 19:56:27 GMT -6

Post by drbill on Oct 24, 2016 23:41:02 GMT -6

Post by bricejchandler on Oct 25, 2016 2:04:08 GMT -6

Post by rowmat on Oct 25, 2016 2:25:35 GMT -6

Post by Martin John Butler on Oct 25, 2016 8:45:15 GMT -6

Post by drbill on Oct 25, 2016 9:11:42 GMT -6

Post by jcoutu1 on Oct 25, 2016 11:40:10 GMT -6

Post by M57 on Oct 25, 2016 16:28:34 GMT -6