Product Overview

The KMR 81 i is a pressure gradient transducer with an interference tube design, specifically engineered to provide a narrow, highly directional pickup pattern. While most shotgun microphones suffer from off-axis coloration, the KMR 81 i is renowned for its uniquely natural sound, ensuring that even sound sources moving slightly off-axis are captured with tonal accuracy. Its rugged build and high output gain make it a reliable companion for professional sound recordists in both studio and field environments.

Product Description

Exceptional Directionality & Natural Audio:

The KMR 81 i utilizes a combination of a gradient transducer and a long interference tube to achieve a supercardioid/lobe polar pattern. This design effectively cancels out unwanted ambient noise from the sides and rear, allowing you to isolate dialogue even in acoustically "busy" environments. Crucially, the frequency response remains consistent within a $90^{\circ}$ pickup angle, ensuring that dialogue sounds natural and lifelike without the "comb filtering" typical of lesser shotgun mics.

Optimized for Speech & ENG:

Designed with the human voice in mind, the KMR 81 i features a very smooth frequency response with a subtle presence boost to ensure speech intelligibility. It is equipped with a switchable High-Pass Filter (Low Cut) to eliminate wind noise and low-frequency rumble ($< 200\text{ Hz}$), as well as a -10 dB Pre-attenuation (Pad) to prevent clipping when recording high-SPL sources like loud vehicles or explosions.

State-of-the-Art Technical Performance:

With an ultra-low self-noise floor of only 12 dB-A and a high sensitivity of 18 mV/Pa, the KMR 81 i can capture the most delicate whispers with pristine clarity. It handles Sound Pressure Levels (SPL) up to 128 dB (or 138 dB with the pad), making it versatile for a wide range of cinematic scenarios. Its low power consumption ensures extended battery life for field recorders and portable gear.

Rugged & Lightweight for Boom Use:

Despite its high-end laboratory-grade electronics, the KMR 81 i is built for the rigors of the set. It is remarkably lightweight (145 g), reducing operator fatigue during long days on a boom pole. The non-reflective finish and compact size (226 mm) make it easy to position close to the action without interfering with the camera frame.

Key Features

• High Directionality: Narrow supercardioid/lobe pattern for superior source isolation.

• Natural Off-Axis Sound: No tonal coloration for sound sources outside the center.

• Switchable Low-Cut Filter: Reduces low-frequency interference and wind noise.

• -10 dB Pad: Prevents distortion when recording loud sound sources.

• Ultra-Low Self-Noise: Pristine signal-to-noise ratio for high-res field recording.

• Lightweight Design: Optimized for comfortable boom pole operation.

   

   

Applications

• Film & TV Dialogue: The go-to choice for capturing clean dialogue on sets.

• Electronic News Gathering (ENG): Ideal for on-location reporting in noisy areas.

• Documentary Filmmaking: Provides professional audio quality in a portable format.

• Theater Sound: Perfect for capturing stage performances from a distance.

Technical Specifications