Neumann KMS 104 Nickel

A live vocal reference in the spirit of the KMS range

Developed for optimal sound capture of the human voice in concert conditions, the Neumann KMS 104 follows the lineage of the brand's high-end vocal microphones. The KMS 105, already on the market for several years, has established itself as an international standard for very high-quality stage microphones. The KMS 104 maintains this level of performance and reliability, with a focus on precise, transparent capture and off-axis rejection designed for noisy stages and complex sound environments.

For whom and for what uses?

The KMS 104 is aimed at singers, hosts, lead vocals, and backing vocalists seeking a handheld microphone capable of delivering a voice with high resolution, while remaining perfectly usable on stage. It is ideal for demanding performances (tours, venues, festivals, TV sets), where word clarity, attack control, and feedback stability are priorities.

Thanks to its low self-noise and ability to limit coloration of off-axis sounds, it is especially suitable for setups with personal in-ear monitoring systems, where every breath or artifact is immediately noticeable. The musician thus retains very fine control over their performance, with a consistent response that facilitates voice placement in the mix.

Design focused on precision and control on stage

Static capsule: transparency and extended response

Unlike many handheld microphones using dynamic capsules, the KMS 104 adopts a studio static capsule. The result: a high level of acoustic transparency, extended frequency response, and particularly clear reproduction of transients. This approach captures the voice very subtly, preserving articulation details and timbre variations that define a performer's personality.

Effective off-axis rejection and stable sound

The cardioid directivity is optimized for effective off-axis sound rejection without unwanted coloration. The microphone also performs very well in attenuating sounds coming from the rear (180-degree hemisphere), a tangible advantage when the stage environment is dense (drums, amps, monitors). This off-axis stability helps keep the voice clean and centered, even when the singer moves or the stage is noisy.

Handling plosives, sibilance, and high overload resistance

The KMS 104 integrates carefully tuned acoustic filters combined with a transformerless impedance converter capable of handling very high sound pressure levels. This design aims to avoid overload, even with pronounced plosives. Despite excellent plosive protection, sibilance and "S" sounds are transmitted with their natural accentuation, characteristic of static microphones, for a lively and realistic sound.

Internal high-pass filter and feedback protection

The acoustic filters are designed to preserve directivity characteristics, including in the low frequencies, which improves feedback resistance in sound reinforcement. Each microphone also features a non-disableable internal high-pass filter with a cutoff frequency at 120 Hz (-3 dB point, measured in free field), to better control handling noise, vibrations, and certain stage resonances.

Durability and maintenance

Built for intensive use, the KMS 104 is equipped with a durable steel grille. It can be easily unscrewed if necessary to allow cleaning of the internal acoustic filters, an important aspect to maintain consistent performance over time, especially in touring contexts.

Technical specifications

Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	Capsule	static
Category	voice microphone	Color	Grey
Directivity	cardioid

Dynamic range	132 dB	Connector	XLR
Maximum sound pressure level	150 dB SPL	Included	Case and clip
Sensitivity	132 dB SPL max	Weight	300 g
Impedance	50 Ohms