Neumann KM 184 versus Sennheiser MKH 8040

Neumann KM 184 versus the new Sennheiser MKH 8040

About the recording

2 Track Recording (rhythm guitar and solo guitar)
All tracks were recorded serial with the same guitar and the same microphone position
No filters, no compressor and no effects are on.

Recorded on Cubase Studio 4
Microphones were directly pluged into an Focusrite Saffire

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Sennheiser
• Neumann
• KM
• 184
• MKH
• 8000
• 8040
• Microphones
• schöps
• akg
• shure
• recording

[Dodom123]

is it recorded in stereo?

[manfredp1973]

no just one Mic! And both rhytm and solo guitar is in center.

[manfredp1973]

Yes both microphones differ in their methods of construction. It´s is really interessted that you say that you prefer a microphone build by Neumann. Do you know that Neumann is owned by Sennheiser?

[electraluxx]

This is silly. How do you post a comparison online? First the sound is converted to the video format. Then it is compressed by Youtube. Nice effort but it really doesn't work.

[manfredp1973]

Yes you are right. But there is still a difference as you can hear. And welcome to the 21st century nowadays most music is heard compressed via mp3, youtube, myspace and many more.

[whitefieldwildcats]

First they sound alike. Should have done this blind folded!(referenced with hd580 sennheiser headphones)When you performed with the 8040 the magic was gone and the performance was quieter. Recording something that is more concrete like a player piano or speakers. Then the "performance" would be identical. The km 184 had more low end and a faster rise in the transients of the top end. What this could mean is that you may have been an inch closer to the km 184's. or they just rock. Which micpre?

[manfredp1973]

Thank you for that professional comment. And you are totaly right to have an honestly comparison I ve should done this with an piano or speaker. But I didn´t had the possibility.I plugged both direct into the focusrite saffire LE. To my mind I like sound in the recording from the Sennheiser more. But during the recording it was easier with the km 184. I think that is the reason why the "magic" is gone on the mkh. Sure it could be that I was an inch closer, but I tried to keep the same distance.

[flinch3]

Its amazing how people try to judge a mic by listening to a lossy mpg-stream that throws away more than 90% of the original information and formats it into something that somebody once defined as "all you need to hear"... argh.

[DarkSkyMedia]

In this comparison, the MKH8040 sounds woolier in the low mids and a little louder than the KM184. On first blush, the higher level and slightly reduced highs of the Sennheiser sound good, but if you match the levels, the KM184 sounds clearer and has much better definition. With a little adjustment of level and either placement or EQ, the KM184 would clearly trounce the MKH8040

[CourtneyBryceHilton]

Does anyone have opinions on the best pre-amp to use with the sennheiser MKH 8040s?

[CourtneyBryceHilton]

Also I am looking at mics to record myself as a solo classical guitarist... I am leaning toward the Sennheiser at the moment but both are great mics, the Neumann seems to be a little warmer but the Sennheiser has more detail and I think what with classical nylon string guitars being a 'warmer sounding' instrument than steel string the sennheiser will be fine.

[CourtneyBryceHilton]

I can kinda understand why people are complaining about doing a comparison like this when the sound is compressed so badly (I personally use lossless all the time for my own music listening)... but as the poster as said there is still a noticeable difference in sound character between them so it is still interesting... not 'silly'... thanks manfredp1973

[g1981c]

i like MKH more here. neumann here has cheezy bubble gum heighs and castrated bass IMO.

[Scavneck]

You can't make comparisons on youtube man.

[donarneysyndicate]

Bottom line: Both mics are wonderful.. I could live with either. And I disagree with the piano comment.

A lot more subtlety with acoustic guitar. Although it would be interesting to hear a piano with both mics, I get more of a sense of the definition a mic is capable of with guitar. Or cello. But, that's just me, your results may vary!

[DreadedCockroach]

@HodgesJimEd Agreed. The Neumann sounds more airy to my ears anyways.

[fennessy1980]

That's really nice playing.. is that you?

For me, I tend to choose a mic depending on its dynamics moreover tone. The km "won" this test for me as I felt it brought out the nuances of the piece really well.

Have you tried the rode nt mics? I own quite a few of them....they're a very similar beast to the km's. Not as nice but close!

[576ito1080p]

@mgoorevich1974 but not fo another 30 years :o)

[simulator94]

@mgoorevich1974 I raise my hand to agree! it's a shame, that the internet still has to get up to date with this!