Neumann KMR81I Super-Cardioid Shotgun Microphone - Professional Audio — main product image

Neumann KMR81I Super-Cardioid Shotgun Microphone - Professional Audio

Neumann

Neumann KMR81I Super-Cardioid Shotgun Microphone - Professional Audio

Name: Neumann KMR81I Super-Cardioid Shotgun Microphone - Professional Audio
Brand: Neumann
SKU: KMR81I

9 in

Neumann's compact 9-inch shotgun microphone delivers broadcast-grade directional pickup with renowned German engineering.

$180.00*$1,805.88Save 90%

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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 14, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Neumann KMR81I is a short shotgun condenser microphone built for professional film, broadcast, and studio applications where precise directional sound capture is essential. Its super-cardioid/lobar polar pattern focuses pickup tightly on the sound source in front of the capsule while providing strong rejection of ambient noise and off-axis sound. At just 9 inches in length, it is compact enough to be easily handled on a boom pole in confined spaces, on a camera-mounted shock mount, or on a desk stand for voiceover and narration work.

One of the KMR81I's key advantages over longer interference-tube shotgun microphones is its behavior in reflective indoor environments. Longer shotguns can produce comb-filtering artifacts when room reflections enter the interference tube at various angles, resulting in unnatural coloration. The KMR81I's shorter tube minimizes this effect, delivering a more consistent and natural sound indoors while still providing meaningfully tighter pickup than a standard hypercardioid. The included WS 81 windscreen extends its usability to outdoor locations where wind noise would otherwise compromise recordings. Constructed to Neumann's exacting standards in Germany, the KMR81I is a tool built for daily professional use and long-term reliability.

Key Features

Short shotgun (9 in) with twist pack case and WS 8

Specifications

Brand

Neumann

Model

KMR81I

Type

Condenser Shotgun Microphone

Polar Pattern

Super-Cardioid

Length

9 inches

Finish

Nickel

Included Accessories

Twist pack case, WS 81 Windscreen

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

Super-cardioid pattern provides excellent off-axis rejection for isolating dialogue or sound sources in noisy environments.
Compact 9-inch length makes it easy to maneuver on boom poles and in tight shooting spaces.
Short shotgun design minimizes the indoor comb-filtering artifacts that longer shotguns produce from room reflections.
Neumann build quality and capsule engineering deliver a refined, natural sound character.
Includes a WS 81 windscreen and twist pack case for protection and immediate outdoor readiness.

👎 Cons

Premium Neumann pricing places the KMR81I significantly above many competing short shotgun microphones.
Requires 48V phantom power, which rules out use with unpowered consumer devices without an external supply.
The super-cardioid pattern is less forgiving of boom operator error than a wider cardioid pickup.
At 9 inches, it does not achieve the extreme reach and narrow pickup of full-length shotgun microphones for distant sources.
The nickel finish may produce visible reflections on camera if not properly flagged or covered.

Frequently Asked Questions

What polar pattern does the KMR81I use?

The KMR81I uses a super-cardioid/lobar polar pattern that provides tight directional pickup from the front while strongly rejecting sound from the sides and rear — tighter than a standard cardioid but with a more natural tone than longer shotgun microphones.

How does the KMR81I compare to a full-length shotgun microphone?

At 9 inches, the KMR81I is classified as a short shotgun. It offers more focused directionality than a standard cardioid or hypercardioid microphone, while maintaining a more even frequency response off-axis than longer shotguns, which makes it better suited to indoor use where long shotguns can produce comb-filtering from wall reflections.

What accessories are included with the KMR81I?

It ships with a twist pack storage case and a WS 81 windscreen for outdoor use or environments with air movement.

Does the KMR81I require phantom power?

Yes, as a condenser microphone, the KMR81I requires 48V phantom power, which is supplied by most professional mixers, audio interfaces, and field recorders.

What types of productions is the KMR81I typically used for?

It is widely used in film and television dialogue recording, ENG (electronic news gathering), documentary production, and studio voiceover work where focused pickup and off-axis rejection are critical.