where to buy Neumann KMR 81 in LA?

[dmitri]

Dear friends. A friend of mine is visiting LA now as a tourist. I would like to ask him to buy a Neumann KMR 81I MT (new) for me. Can you advise of some good gear store in LA, similar to the B&H superstore in New York (not online, since he has no address to deliver to).
Thanks a lot,
Dmitri

[ggegan]

Originally Posted by chsound

Dear friends. A friend of mine is visiting LA now as a tourist. I would like to ask him to buy a Neumann KMR 81I MT (new) for me. Can you advise of some good gear store in LA, similar to the B&H superstore in New York (not online, since he has no address to deliver to).
Thanks a lot,
Dmitri

West LA Music or Guitar Center Pro dept. Just tell them what sort of deals you've seen on line and ask him how close they can come to those prices. Call for an appointment.

I usually buy on line these days.

[dmitri]

Thanks, Gary!

[mikevarela]

Yeah GC Pro upstairs deals with irregular orders, not your usual everyday purchase. You could also try vintageking, but GC might get better deals becuase of size

[Big Andy]

I am so happy to hear other people here shop at West LA Music too!

My vote is 100% West LA. They work put great deals for you, they know their stuff and they'll remember your name next time you go in.

[mikevarela]

that is true, GC is a faceless bargain bin with no customer service, or worse - jackals looking to sell the carpet on the floor. But, they can get great deals too.

[ggegan]

Originally Posted by mikevarela

that is true, GC is a faceless bargain bin with no customer service, or worse - jackals looking to sell the carpet on the floor. But, they can get great deals too.

I agree if you are buying on the floor, but if you go upstairs and deal with GC Pro, it's a whole other world. My experience there has been very positive.

Still, I haven't found anyone who can even come remotely close to the deals available on line at AValive. Minimal service and not particularly convenient, but well worth the trouble. I'm hesitant to even mention the place because they seem almost too good to be true.

[fifthcircle]

If you're looking to find a place that likely has it in stock, don't bother with West LA Music or GC. They both sell high-end gear on the basis that they "can get it for you." Basically a box shop.

Instead, I'd look to one of the companies that deals with the location crowd. The first places that come to mind for that are Location Sound and Coffey Sound in N. Hollywood/Studio City. Both are pretty close to each other and both usually carry pretty good stock of location gear.

--Ben

[dmitri]

Thanks to all of view for your input!
FYI: I called both GCpro and WestLAmusic. I had luck with Hamid "Gadget" Hopkins from WestLA. Upon my prepayment he ordered the mic from Neumann, Detroit. The mic arrived at their store next day. I can't wait till getting it in my hands.

[ggegan]

Originally Posted by chsound

Thanks to all of view for your input!
FYI: I called both GCpro and WestLAmusic. I had luck with Hamid "Gadget" Hopkins from WestLA. Upon my prepayment he ordered the mic from Neumann, Detroit. The mic arrived at their store next day. I can't wait till getting it in my hands.

I was just in there yesterday and ran into Mark Spiwak, who I used to work with in San Francisco back in the 70s. What a flashback that was!

[SDDP]

Originally Posted by Big Andy

I am so happy to hear other people here shop at West LA Music too!

My vote is 100% West LA. They work put great deals for you, they know their stuff and they'll remember your name next time you go in.

Been shopping there for over 10 years. They REALLY work a deal for you.
Guitar Center changed their policy and now they RARELY EVER lower a price unless you find a local store for them to pricematch. GC is way more strict. West LA, way more flexible, They'll ask for your name and number and email and will contact you and will go the extra mile.

[Berolzheimer]

Good choice, BTW. I don't know what you'll be using it for, but I used one for a bunch of Foley sessions & liked it much better than the usual 416.

[SDDP]

Originally Posted by Berolzheimer

Good choice, BTW. I don't know what you'll be using it for, but I used one for a bunch of Foley sessions & liked it much better than the usual 416.

Can you be a little more specific on what it was you like more on the 81 vs the 416?

I am torn on which to get for ADR/VO/Foley.


Thanks

[ggegan]

Originally Posted by SDDP

Can you be a little more specific on what it was you like more on the 81 vs the 416?

I am torn on which to get for ADR/VO/Foley.


Thanks

The 416 accentuates the high frequencies, which can make foley stick out in the mix. The KMR 81 has a smoother, less hyped high end.

The KMR 81 is an excellent, but very expensive mic. It is a shotgun designed for location work where you want to reject off axis noise. Unless you have a very noisy ADR/Foley stage, you really don't need a shotgun, and in fact a cardioid will even be excellent for interior sequences because it will pick up room reverb, which is desirable for interiors. I would suggest you consider a Neumann KM 184 cardioid or the KM 185 hyper-cardioid. They cost less than half as much as a KMR 81, are more compact, and sound excellent.