At the recent IBC2009 in Amsterdam,Neumann showed a digital shotgun mic. The KMR 81 D is a short shotgun design that shares acoustic properties with its analog counterpart, including a 90-degree pickup angle and almost frequency-independent damping of sound from the sides.
The digital version integrates Neumann’s Solution-D circuit technology, with an A/D converter specifically adapted to the capsule, and the option of using numerous signal-processing features.
In addition to the parameters of the dynamics processor, all other settings (filtering, gain, etc.) can be adjusted via the remote-control software and stored directly in the microphone. During production, a preprogrammed KMR 81 D can then be connected directly to a field recorder with an appropriate AES 42 input. In addition, the KMR 81 D can be combined with the Neumann KK 120 digital mic to create a figure-eight directional characteristic, resulting in a compact, digital midside stereo configuration.
The KMR 81 D was presented as a prototype at IBC2009 and will be available beginning in spring 2010. Neumann has likewise announced a portable version of the DMI digital microphone interface, powered by rechargeable batteries, also to be available in 2010.
