Neumann KM 185 MT Microphone (Matte Black)

We use this mic for most of our interviews. If you can only afford one mic, I would buy this before a shotgun or lav. You will need to buy a blimp to use this outside as it is very sensitive to wind. We use the small cyclone.

This is the last mic so far I've bought last year. I've being looking forward to it for a while now. My previous model was KM-185, which is same small diaphragm condenser microphone based on Neumann 184 series, but in Hyper-Cardioid polar pattern. What is that means? Hyper-Cardioid polar patter has quite a lot more reach in the front of the mic and quite much tighter pickup angle than a regular Cardioid mic, such as 184 version. I've used this incredible mic indoors most of the times as well as outdoors with the Rycote Modular System to protect it from the high strength wind. Reason I've used Rycote, is mainly because it's a small size wind shield (http://www.video.com/c/product/1026517-REG/rycote_086067_modular_windshield_ws_1.html) Anyways. Usually you'd use a shotgun pattern mic outside, which sometimes referred as a Super-Cardioid. But I've noticed some shotguns might loose som bass response when you get closer than 1-2 feet from the source, where Hyper-Cardioid sounds much thicker sounding bass response, less coloration compare to some other mics I've used before. Pros: 1) Compact and Light weight - Very compact size and weight feels good on a boom pole or a mic stand. 2) Many years of experience - Neumann's high end technology of the diaphragm and long term experience will provide amazing results for people who are trying to achieve them. You will achieve it with this mic. 3) Very Versatile - Good for XY, AB, ORTF, Spaced Matched Pair tracking of music instruments, vocals, VO, onset dialogues and sound effects and sound design elements. 4) Can be used indoors or outdoor (with protective wind shield of course). I've done multiple successful recordings indoors and outdoors. This mic has more tighter polar patter compare to KM-184 model, thus it's more useful in higher noise floor, if you don't own a good shotgun mic for that or can't use in that specific situation. 5) Better for recording in echoey rooms - In my opinion and experience this mic sounds more natural in rooms or locations which have hig reflective surfaces and lots corners. It's less susceptible to Comb Filtering effect that sometimes shotgun mics can get more. That's just a very specific thought. 6) High SPL/ Very Low Total Harmonic Distortion - KM-185 can handle very high Max SPL level of 142 dBSPL with THD of <0.5% , which is very impressive for the size of the diaphragm. 7) Standard P48 - KM-185 uses standard P48 Phantom Power for mic to work. 8) Great Frequency Response - KM-185 Has a 20Hz-20kHz high quality frequency response, for high accuracy of representation of the incoming in to the diaphragm audio signal. Cons: 1) Quite pricey - Yes this mic is pricey, but it's worth it and there other mics which are same size but sounds worse and cost few hundreds to thousands more. 2) Might be slightly High Humidity sensitive - Just might be. I've experienced higher sensitivity to humidity with most of the condenser mics, with most of brands. 3) Slightly sensitive to a low rumble and handling noise - great sounding low end, creates a higher sensitivity to handling noise as well as winds and etc. So just be more careful with this guy then with other mics.