ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,961 
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Post by ericn on Apr 1, 2015 11:44:43 GMT -6
Around 1968 Motown replaced all of our mikes with KM-86s which use two back to back KM84 capsules. When it became obvious Detroit would be closing around 1970 I started buying other mikes and bringing them in so I could learn to use them. The only thing that ever sounded better than an 86 with a touch of eq. was an occasional 57 or 635a. The only other studios in the world I'm aware of who had enough 84s and 86s to do an entire session were RCA and EMI in London. They simply do a great job on anything. The reason they weren't more popular was that they were too easy to steal. Bob time and time again you prove a great mic is a great mic! |
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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 1, 2015 14:12:35 GMT -6
I remember that clip. Pretty much impossible to compare, unfortunately. Are they even the same guitar? haha I've always wanted a pair of KM84s, but got the C5 pair to save some coin. I use them on overheads, and that's about it. Way too bright on guitar. Def not the same guitar. I have no idea what I had back the. Might have been a Santa Cruz though. No slouch. |
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Post by jcoutu1 on Apr 1, 2015 14:16:39 GMT -6
I remember that clip. Pretty much impossible to compare, unfortunately. Are they even the same guitar? haha I've always wanted a pair of KM84s, but got the C5 pair to save some coin. I use them on overheads, and that's about it. Way too bright on guitar. Def not the same guitar. I have no idea what I had back the. Might have been a Santa Cruz though. No slouch. Based on the old C5 clip and the new KM84 clips, I could see the 84 fitting better as solo acoustic or folk and the C5 working well in dense pop type stuff. That 84 is smooth though eh? I should mail you one of my BeesNeez to put up against it. Wonder how it would hold up. |
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Post by RicFoxx on Apr 1, 2015 16:35:08 GMT -6
Seriously great sounding John! Awesome!
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Post by donr on Apr 1, 2015 17:32:44 GMT -6
I remember that clip. Pretty much impossible to compare, unfortunately. Are they even the same guitar? haha I've always wanted a pair of KM84s, but got the C5 pair to save some coin. I use them on overheads, and that's about it. Way too bright on guitar. Def not the same guitar. I have no idea what I had back the. Might have been a Santa Cruz though. No slouch. He's banned, but his attached files live on. That guitar sounds fine, too. The KM sounds very nice. Like a record. |
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Post by Randge on Apr 1, 2015 17:37:11 GMT -6
I think that the C5 was indeed made to cut in a dense mix. They are one of the best pencils to hit the market. Glad I have an early pair of them.
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Post by jsteiger on Apr 1, 2015 20:45:11 GMT -6
Provided you can find $4,000 to pick up a pair. R For a pair of KM54's? Where? I'm on it!! That may be a 10yr old price Randge |
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Post by Randge on Apr 1, 2015 21:30:10 GMT -6
Ebay, right now.
R
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Post by Randge on Apr 1, 2015 21:31:24 GMT -6
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Post by Randge on Apr 1, 2015 21:32:51 GMT -6
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Post by mjheck on Apr 1, 2015 21:42:45 GMT -6
Given how much I adore my KM84 and my U48, I thought adding a KM54 would have to be a no brainer.
I purchased one and had it serviced by two different folks who gave it a clean bill of health (Wunder Audio and VK),
but still found it did not quite work for me as well as my 84. Mostly not quiet enough ( I do a lot of finger picking with silk strings).
I ended up grabbing a second 84.
I think I paid $900 for the first and $1100 for the second, so yeah, pretty decent price point for such a beautiful workhorse.
At any rate, congrats John. Stuff gets easier with these guys.
MJH
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Post by jsteiger on Apr 1, 2015 22:28:06 GMT -6
Haha thanks but I think I'll pass. "I have not PSU and cable" from Hungary. |
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Post by drbill on Apr 1, 2015 22:54:21 GMT -6
Haha thanks but I think I'll pass. "I have not PSU and cable" from Hungary. Plus he's taken it on another person's word that they work. And he has no returns. Wise choice Jeff. You can expect to pay around $3k-3500 for a good working specimen. Which IMO is worth it if you've got the coin. |
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Post by Randge on Apr 1, 2015 23:14:44 GMT -6
I would fly there (and vacation) with a power supply and bring them back only if they worked. Sadly, my $4,000 is going to uncle Sam instead.
R
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Post by sll on Apr 2, 2015 7:46:37 GMT -6
I would fly there (and vacation) with a power supply and bring them back only if they worked. Sadly, my $4,000 is going to uncle Sam instead. R They look to be in great shape, but too risky without testing them first. I would love to get a pair, or even just one KM54. The 701 tube scares me a little however. Those can cost as much as a KM84 these days. Uncle Sam must have a pretty decent mic collection by now. I know a good chunk of my otherwise mic budget is going to him as well. |
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Post by Martin John Butler on Apr 2, 2015 8:12:04 GMT -6
mjhecu said,"Stuff gets easier with these guys".
YEP.
When I borrowed my friend's 84's, I just plugged in, stuck it in front of my guitar, listened for 10 seconds, didn't even bother with new preamp settings, hit record, no problems, perfect tone.
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Post by Ward on Apr 2, 2015 8:17:15 GMT -6
Dammit... I just planked down the money for two U47FETs. I should have grabbed these instead.
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Post by Ward on Apr 2, 2015 8:19:07 GMT -6
P.S. the lack of PSU and cabling does not scare me, nor does the prospect of their needing some work. We have Shannon for that! |
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Post by jimwilliams on Apr 2, 2015 9:59:58 GMT -6
I'm a bit nervous about the condition of any mic that is 40+ years old.
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Post by Bob Olhsson on Apr 2, 2015 10:09:56 GMT -6
KM54s were used by German broadcasters with consoles that supplied the power. They didn't have a very good reputation for reliability in the '60s and the capsules were known to go noisy over time.
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Post by Randge on Apr 2, 2015 11:24:57 GMT -6
They have tone for days. That matters more.
R
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Post by deehope on Apr 2, 2015 12:43:20 GMT -6
Is anyone that owns a km84 that wants to try out a pair of JJ Audio km84 clones?
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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 2, 2015 17:10:18 GMT -6
Hey deehope - I got your message...forgot to respond. I'm not sure if I have the time right now to do a proper shootout...but maybe in the next little bit? |
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Post by Randge on Apr 6, 2015 0:55:07 GMT -6
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Post by lpedrum on Apr 6, 2015 10:09:23 GMT -6
Hey deehope - I got your message...forgot to respond. I'm not sure if I have the time right now to do a proper shootout...but maybe in the next little bit? I'd be curious to hear your follow up thoughts John. There's no denying that the 84 is a great mic. But sometimes we fall in love with our latest purchase and in time we get a clearer picture of what it does and doesn't do. If I were ever to buy one it would be all about recording acoustic guitar. So I'd love to hear any opinions and comparisons between the 84 and a Beyer, Schoeps etc. Looking at ebay the 84s seem to sell for around $1100 to $1400. As that the going price these days? Anything to watch out for when buying a used 84? |
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