Neumann Sound on Stage
The KMS 105 is a studio grade vocal microphone for stage use. Its precision
manufactured condenser capsule offers true Neumann sound quality,
combined with all the virtues of a rugged stage microphone: excellent pop protection,
low handling noise, enormous SPL capability, and high feedback
resistance, thanks to its tight supercardioid pattern.
Studio Quality for Stage Vocals
The KMS 105 brings studio sound quality to the stage. Unlike usual stage
microphones, which use dynamic capsules, the KMS 105 is equipped with a true
condenser microphone capsule offering the superior clarity that made Neumann
studio microphones famous all over the world. At the same time, the KMS 105 possesses
the ruggedness required of a stage mic, thus refuting the myth that condenser
microphones must be “fragile”. The KMS 105 can stand enormous sound pressure levels
of up to 150 dB without clipping, and its tight, frequency-independent
supercardioid pattern ensures high gain before feedback. The KMS 105 has a much smoother
frequency response than dynamic microphones and an airy top-end.
Compared to dynamic microphones, the Neumann KMS 105 has a vastly
superior transient response resulting in a more immediate, more emotional vocal sound.
In practical terms: effortless intelligibility, without the usual
EQ boosts – which further improves feedback resistance.
As a stage microphone, the KMS 105 is optimized for close miking; a fixed low
cut filter compensates for the proximity effect and ensures clear bass, even
if the singer’s lips touch the microphone. The headgrille is made of hardened
steel and features a carefully designed multi-level pop filter made of wire gauze.
Despite its effectiveness, this acoustic filter does not cause any sibilance problems
or compromise the capsule’s directivity. The head amplifier is protected by a
thick-walled housing. Its transformerless output minimizes electromagnetic interference,
such as hum. Because of its low output impedance of only 50 ohms, the KMS 105
can drive very long cable runs of up to 300 m (1000 ft) without transmission losses.
Applications
The KMS 105 is primarily designed as a handheld vocal microphone but can be used
for other stage applications as well, due to its high SPL capability and wide dynamic range.
Examples include percussion, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, harmonica, acoustic guitar,
and guitar cabinets. Thanks to its superior sound quality, the KMS 105 is also an
excellent microphone for home recording and broadcast applications. Because it is
optimized for close mic placement, the KMS 105 will pick up a dry sound with very
little ambience, which is a big advantage in untreated rooms.
Tight supercardioid pattern without off-axis coloration
Unaffected by extreme sound pressure levels
Rugged construction
Feedback resistant
Built-in pop screen
Very low handling noise
Acoustical operating principle Pressure gradient transducer
Directional Pattern Supercardioid
Frequency Range 20 Hz ... 20 kHz
Sensitivity at 1 kHz into 1 kohm 4.5 mV/Pa ± 1 dB equ. -47 dBV
Rated Impedance 50 ohms
Rated load impedance 1 kohms
Equivalent noise level, CCIR 1 28 dB
Equivalent noise level, A-weighted 2 18 dB-A
Maximum SPL for THD 0.5% 3 150 dB
Signal-to-noise ratio, CCIR (re. 94 dB SPL) 4 66 dB
Signal-to-noise ratio, A-weighted (re. 94 dB SPL) 5 76 dB
Maximum output voltage 12 dBu
Supply voltage (P48, IEC 61938) 48 V ± 4 V
Current consumption (P48, IEC 61938) 3.5 mA
Matching connector XLR 3 F
Weight approx. 300 g
Diameter 48 mm
Length 180 mm