I don't think I'd be going too far out on a limb if I said that most musicians would love to own a Neumann mic. But up until now, Neumann mics were pretty much relegated to serving time in the recording studio and never seeing the light of day (nor the glaring lights up on a smoky stage).

Well that just changed when Neumann introduced the KMS 105, a super-cardioid, live performance vocal microphone, at AES '99 in New York City. Not willing to rest on the marked success of their superb vintage and contemporary studio microphones, Neumann has at last turned their attention to the stage to vanquish the grainy, unresolved sound of the typical live microphone.

Although virtually every other aspect of sound reinforcement technology has been vastly improved over the last decade, live vocal microphones have more or less lagged behind. The new Millennium ushers in a cost-effective, serious live vocal microphone to fill that void: The Neumann KMS 105.

With the refinement of their complete design and development facilities in Berlin (see story on Page 9), Neumann implemented their time-efficient microphone prototype process to create a German-engineered microphone for live performance. What separates the KMS 105 from the rest of the crowd? Beta testers report that the KMS 105 truly has "air," that rare, elusive quality that is easier to experience than describe in words or specifications and has been (up until now) limited to high-end studio microphones. Every vocal nuance shines though effortlessly, unmasked and uncolored.

As evidence of its fitness for the rigors of stage use, the KMS 105 boasts 150dB maximum SPL, reduced handling noise and a reduced sensitivity to plosives (thanks to a sophisticated inner basket structure). With 132dB of dynamic range and a 20Hz to 20kHz frequency response, the full emotional impact of a vocal performance is transferred from the stage to the audience. The sound of the KMS 105 is so true that even back-up instrument bleed-through sounds natural something live engineers will greatly appreciate.

The high resolution, low self-noise and neutral off-axis response of the KMS 105 make it the perfect microphone for use with the latest in-ear monitoring systems. Unlike the murky sound delivered by many live vocal microphones, the transparency of the KMS 105 does not distract the vocalist from his or her delivery and conveys an accurate reflection of performance.

The KMS 105 is available in distinctive nickel or matte black casing, and its shape is unique and stylized, reminiscent of Neumann studio microphone designs. The KMS 105 will be available just in time for the upcoming summer touring season at a price that won't break the bank (just $595 list for a Neumann!).

Neumann's award winning line of microphones has set the standard in the industry since 1928. In 1999, Neumann received the prestigious Technical Grammy for their 70 years of innovation in microphone design and contribution to the music industry. A continuing commitment to provide innovative, technically refined products and engineering solutions of proven quality ensures that Neumann's stature will remain unassailable.

For those interested in such things, the K55 capsule was developed from the famous K50, found in the KMS 150, KM 150 and KM 185 microphones. This new version features a super-cardioid pattern, achieved by specially modifying the response of the K50 pressure gradient transducer. The frequency response characteristic is developed in the acoustic realm, allowing for accurate representation of transient details found in music and speech, and thus transmitting a very open and detailed capture of the human voice. The KMS 105 also received the prestigious 1999 EQ Blue Ribbon and PAR Excellence Awards.

If you make your music on stage, singing your heart out and are tired of sounding muddy, I'd suggest you call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer for super pricing on the awesome new Neumann KMS 105.