KU 100

Common name: Neumann KU 100

Production Status: In production

The KU 100 is the third “Dummy Head” stereo microphone system launched by Georg Neumann GmbH in 1992. It represents the brand’s state-of-the-art in dummy heads. Neumann dummy heads were developed in cooperation with IRT (Institute fur Rundfunktechnik – Munich). The system consists in a reproduction of a human head with two pressure condenser microphones positioned inside. Two special version “fet 100” series transformer-less microphones are installed inside the head. The transducers employed are two K 83. The 21 mm microphone capsules are coupled via a tuneable Helmotz resonators and further coupling devices to a 5 mm ear canal reproduction. (for details refer to Dr. S. Peus’s writings and other specific pieces). The target in developing this kind of microphone system was to create the illusion for the listener to be in the recording room. The dummy head polar pattern is quite different compared that of standard microphones. The KU 100 system is equalized for diffuse field pickup  in contrast to the original KU 80 that was equalized for free field and had poor loudspeaker reproduction compatibility. The subsequent KU 81 was the first diffuse field equalized dummy head. The KU 100’s outer ear shape represents a further improvement compared to the KU 81 and achieves precise left / right symmetry. The KU 100 is capable of improved approximation of “smooth diffuse-field frequency response”, reduced “artificial elevation” (vertical displacements of sound sources), and 5 dB increased sensitivity and dynamic range. It also features separate left / right unbalanced BNC connectors for data measurements, a switchable – 10 dB pad and selectable 40 or 150 Hz high-pass filter.