Mercenary Audio KM-69 - Page 2

Audio Hombre · 27th February 2008

is it just me, or am i hearing the piano breakup on the higher registers? also, that sizzle sound on the bass. is that distortion or simply something rattling? these samples seem rather ad hoc and i'd love to hear more of a real world demo.

Roc Mixwell · 29th February 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audio Hombre

is it just me, or am i hearing the piano breakup on the higher registers? also, that sizzle sound on the bass. is that distortion or simply something rattling? these samples seem rather ad hoc and i'd love to hear more of a real world demo.

My advice would then be to purchase a pair to see if they follow your sense of aesthetic, thats really the only way to truly experience a "real world" demo,

And of course, if they don't work out, then; they don't work out, but in my experience, they are exceptional tools for many applications that will certainly impress.

Fletcher · 7th March 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by gainreduction

Made in the US ?

Not that it matters... just curious.

The stuff inside is made in the US... the body [which is more a copy of a Sennheiser MD-221 body than a KM-84 body] is built in China. We were having the logo badges built in China but with a 30% acceptance rate it's actually less expensive to have the logos built here in the US. The wood box is built in China, the cardboard box is built in the US... all screening/etching is done in the US.

Much of the stuff inside the mic is actually proprietary and is built only for us and that mic [in the US]. The mic is also assembled in the US using only nationalized citizens [not to bring to much politics into this... while I support illegal aliens' rights to pick lettuce... I would prefer to see US citizens get the "skilled labor" gigs].

Peace

microsoftsucks · 7th March 2008

Fletcher and Jay sent me a badgeless KM69 a while back, but only this month have I had a chance to really give it a go. Although it hasn't been my favorite guitar amp mic (so far, I've tried it on about ten different amps using five different preamps), it is unbelievable on acoustic guitar. Because its proximity effect is so well controlled (which also explains its very balanced off-axis response), its very easy to place the mic to get the sound you want from the guitar--closer to bring up some low end without being overwhelmed by thump or boom, or further to heighten the sense of space and ambience, or somewhere in the middle to get that just-perfect, well-articulated sound that drops into the mix without EQ. Also, because of the aforementioned well-balanced off-axis response, it sounds great on piano, even when stuffed into the top of an upright piano by a couple inches. It certainly has more top end than a KM 84, but it doesn't cut your head off like a KM 184 can. Also, the low end isn't slurry ("warm") like a KM 84. There's much more definition.

I think Mercenary have really succeeded in capturing the best traits of the KM 84 while fixing many of its faults.

mixerguy · 25th March 2008

anyone else wanna report impressions?

rapfreak · 25th March 2008

Worth noting that there was a VERY flaterring write up in the newest TapeOp issue.

sonicdefault · 26th March 2008

I've been using one for acoustic work. It's very nice. I appreciate Fletcher's low key demeanor over this mic. It reflects the truth that this is not a hype mic. It's serious, with a wonderful accurate low end and silky top. It has an open sound almost like an omni, yet it retains excellent focus. It's my favorite sdc at this time. Thanks Fletcher and all involved...

-SD

84K · 26th March 2008

I am all ears to hear it. When one comes my way, I will post some samples. Who knows when one will come my way though.

Michael_Joly · 18th February 2009

Can't seem to find out if this is a transformer-coupled or transformerless mic. Any ideas?

sonicdefault · 18th February 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael_Joly

Can't seem to find out if this is a transformer-coupled or transformerless mic. Any ideas?

It has a transformer.

-SD

Ermz · 18th February 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by mixerguy

anyone else wanna report impressions?

Used a pair on overheads the other week. Was very pleased with the results. They were run into a pair of Telefunken V76s. Smooth sound, great imaging and clarity. They will definitely be my 'go-to' OHs, acoustic guitars, piano etc. mics in the current studio.

26th March 2008	#37
sonicdefault Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: USA Posts: 2,426 2 Reviews written	I've been using one for acoustic work. It's very nice. I appreciate Fletcher's low key demeanor over this mic. It reflects the truth that this is not a hype mic. It's serious, with a wonderful accurate low end and silky top. It has an open sound almost like an omni, yet it retains excellent focus. It's my favorite sdc at this time. Thanks Fletcher and all involved... -SD __________________ ...My goal for many, many years was to obtain a beautiful API desk and be buried with it when I die... vin-gear ...My 57 is only a few years old, but I'd like to think that someday my children can pass it down to their children. Killahurts ...I would much rather tweak a moog than that thing bro... MYAMS

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27th February 2008	#31
Audio Hombre Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,880	is it just me, or am i hearing the piano breakup on the higher registers? also, that sizzle sound on the bass. is that distortion or simply something rattling? these samples seem rather ad hoc and i'd love to hear more of a real world demo.

7th March 2008	#34
microsoftsucks Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Cambridge MA & New York NY - USA Posts: 28	Fletcher and Jay sent me a badgeless KM69 a while back, but only this month have I had a chance to really give it a go. Although it hasn't been my favorite guitar amp mic (so far, I've tried it on about ten different amps using five different preamps), it is unbelievable on acoustic guitar. Because its proximity effect is so well controlled (which also explains its very balanced off-axis response), its very easy to place the mic to get the sound you want from the guitar--closer to bring up some low end without being overwhelmed by thump or boom, or further to heighten the sense of space and ambience, or somewhere in the middle to get that just-perfect, well-articulated sound that drops into the mix without EQ. Also, because of the aforementioned well-balanced off-axis response, it sounds great on piano, even when stuffed into the top of an upright piano by a couple inches. It certainly has more top end than a KM 84, but it doesn't cut your head off like a KM 184 can. Also, the low end isn't slurry ("warm") like a KM 84. There's much more definition. I think Mercenary have really succeeded in capturing the best traits of the KM 84 while fixing many of its faults.

25th March 2008	#35
mixerguy Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,965	anyone else wanna report impressions?

25th March 2008	#36
rapfreak Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 2,691	Worth noting that there was a VERY flaterring write up in the newest TapeOp issue.

26th March 2008	#38
84K Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: right coast Posts: 3,857	I am all ears to hear it. When one comes my way, I will post some samples. Who knows when one will come my way though.

18th February 2009	#39
Michael_Joly 3 + infractions, forum membership suspended. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 2,735	Can't seem to find out if this is a transformer-coupled or transformerless mic. Any ideas?