Neumann TLM 103 Studio Set - Black

I have recorded through many different styles of microphones in my career. I finally had the opportunity to purchase the Neumann TLM 49 Condenser Microphone and will never go back! I've had it about just over 6 months and my vocals have never sounded clearer and distinct. I pair it with a UA 610 tube pre-amp and the duo are incomparable. Would highly recommend for top notch sound!

I'm recording my own music in my home studio, so making a mic purchase at this price point is a serious consideration. There is a lot of other gear you could purchase for the money, but I have quality outboard preamps and compressors, a couple excellent audio interfaces (Apogee and Antelope Audio) along with a decent mic locker. I still wanted to have higher end vocal mic and after a TON of research I decided on the TLM 49.First off, when using a large diaphragm condenser microphone of this caliber, you have to treat your space properly; I had to amend my acoustic treatment because my first recordings were picking up far too much of my room and were anything but flattering. Once straightened out and after experimenting with mic placement a bit, I was able to ... MoreI'm recording my own music in my home studio, so making a mic purchase at this price point is a serious consideration. There is a lot of other gear you could purchase for the money, but I have quality outboard preamps and compressors, a couple excellent audio interfaces (Apogee and Antelope Audio) along with a decent mic locker. I still wanted to have higher end vocal mic and after a TON of research I decided on the TLM 49.First off, when using a large diaphragm condenser microphone of this caliber, you have to treat your space properly; I had to amend my acoustic treatment because my first recordings were picking up far too much of my room and were anything but flattering. Once straightened out and after experimenting with mic placement a bit, I was able to attain the type vocal recording I had hoped to, which was full, clear and with a pronounced and very pleasing upper midrange/high end. I struggle with sibilance on my vocal recordings and was really pleased that the high end sounds so clear and crisp without harshness on the S sounds in particular. There is a certain tonality to all the Neumann mics I've heard that is so complimentary to the human voice, and one thing I noticed is very little EQing is necessary in the final mix, I cut a little low end out and that's it.As always, props to American Musical! Their payment plan makes these type of purchases possible in some situations, easier to justify in others, and ultimately offers flexibility for the buyer that really sets them apart from so many other major music store retailers. They've got a customer for life with me!

Already Noticing a Difference

I would probably be considered 'talent' as opposed to 'tech'. Which is to say, I don't have any sound studies or, at least for me, difficult to understand terms to describe why this mic is better. I can only attest to the finished product. I've used roughly half a dozen mics of varying degrees of quality for voice work over the years and finally decided to give the 103 a try. With other mics I was used to making quite a few tweaks and learning the sweet spots for mic placement and mouth placement. While that is still necessary with the 103, it is far less time consuming. I was instantly aware of the warmness my voice had when I used this mic the first time. Where other mics would strain to come through on delivering the details of my voice the 103 seemed to ... MoreI would probably be considered 'talent' as opposed to 'tech'. Which is to say, I don't have any sound studies or, at least for me, difficult to understand terms to describe why this mic is better. I can only attest to the finished product. I've used roughly half a dozen mics of varying degrees of quality for voice work over the years and finally decided to give the 103 a try. With other mics I was used to making quite a few tweaks and learning the sweet spots for mic placement and mouth placement. While that is still necessary with the 103, it is far less time consuming. I was instantly aware of the warmness my voice had when I used this mic the first time. Where other mics would strain to come through on delivering the details of my voice the 103 seemed to effortlessly convey it. I'm early in the process but my first finished recording is def better with the details. I am one of those folks that doesn't really like the sound of my recorded voice, this mic made me think Wow, this sounds really good. Don't be afraid of the price if you can swing it and are ready to move up. I would def recommend this mic and in fact, this is the first mic I have ever been impressed enough with to review.

Buy this now, on the fence rapper!!!

This is the Mike bros @ gals! Lots of confusing information out here between singers and rappers my .02 Singers are looking for warm tonal quality and a mike to "help" their vocals shine as rappers need a mike that wont distort under yelling @certain frequencies and wont add any character to ones voice, but captures the nuances that make ones vocals unique, cheaper Mikes drop the ball on this. Get information from someone in your genre of music or be confused. I also noticed that this Mike takes eq gates and autotune soooo much better. Believe it or not I could even hear the quality differences between headphones I didn't notice with my nt1! The u87 is NOT worth it if you don't record guitars drums or other instruments. Just be done with it buy this mic pair it with ... MoreThis is the Mike bros @ gals! Lots of confusing information out here between singers and rappers my .02 Singers are looking for warm tonal quality and a mike to "help" their vocals shine as rappers need a mike that wont distort under yelling @certain frequencies and wont add any character to ones voice, but captures the nuances that make ones vocals unique, cheaper Mikes drop the ball on this. Get information from someone in your genre of music or be confused. I also noticed that this Mike takes eq gates and autotune soooo much better. Believe it or not I could even hear the quality differences between headphones I didn't notice with my nt1! The u87 is NOT worth it if you don't record guitars drums or other instruments. Just be done with it buy this mic pair it with a good preamp and record a professional album!!! Snatch this mic!!!

Good vocal mic, but not for everyone

This is obviously a good vocal mic as it is highly regarded and a modern classic. However, it's not a one size fits all as most all mics are not. This is not overall bright as others have mentioned. With eq you can give it a more modern sound, but if you want something bright with a nice top end from the start you may need to look elsewhere. Overall a good mic though for the price.

Great mic

I don't know how this mic made it to SDOD (actually SDOH), but what an incredible bargain! I wish I would have bought another one at that price.Pair it up with a good preamp and an interface with a good DA/AD converter and you won't be sorry. I have it going into a SSL VHD pre --> UAD Apollo Twin --> PC, and it just sounds amazing, so crisp and clear. So far have only used it on vox but that is what I bought it for. I had been researching for a good vocal mic for quite a while, so I was ready to pull the trigger when I saw it on SDOH.

It really is that good.

I debated this purchase for weeks, but I was tired of messing around with other mics for years, and spending so much time EQ'ing and post processing them to get professional results. I am now extremely glad I bought it and would do so again.Pros:- Jaw-dropping clear and detailed sound.- Dead-quiet, practically zero self-noise.- Very sensitive, but somehow it rejects stray background noise better than my other cheaper condenser. With the levels set properly, and getting somewhat close to this mic (but where it still sounds great), it rejects stray background noise almost as well as my SM7B.- Vocals in particular sound amazing through this mic. I was reluctant because some reviews said it was too bright or sibilant. Not at all for my voice. The tonality has a ... MoreI debated this purchase for weeks, but I was tired of messing around with other mics for years, and spending so much time EQ'ing and post processing them to get professional results. I am now extremely glad I bought it and would do so again.Pros:- Jaw-dropping clear and detailed sound.- Dead-quiet, practically zero self-noise.- Very sensitive, but somehow it rejects stray background noise better than my other cheaper condenser. With the levels set properly, and getting somewhat close to this mic (but where it still sounds great), it rejects stray background noise almost as well as my SM7B.- Vocals in particular sound amazing through this mic. I was reluctant because some reviews said it was too bright or sibilant. Not at all for my voice. The tonality has a similar richness and warmth as my SM7B, but with a lot more high-frequency detail, and smooth but crisp transients. Simply put, this sounds every bit like a pro studio mic.- The presence lift in the highest frequencies gives the mic a beautiful "air"/sparkle, which makes EQ'ing it for a mix a breeze. It's very typical to boost those frequencies with EQ after the fact to make a vocal pop, but this mic does it on its own straight from the source. You can always EQ out detail if you don't want/need it... but it's hard to add back if it's not there.- It's a beautiful mic and the build quality is everything you'd expect from a Neumann. Comes in a nice wooden case and has a solid heft to it.- It sounds fantastic for singing vocals, but if you're into VO work, it also has a beautiful proximity effect warmth when you get in close to it. The sound thickens up without any boominess or muddiness. It just gets fatter and warmer but retains all the crispness and sparkle.Cons:- Price. But you get what you pay for in this case. If you're tired of messing around trying to get your vocal recordings sounding professional and polished, even after you've already got a good pre-amp and lots of experience with compression, EQ, reverb, etc... this mic will likely get you the rest of the way there. And, it's an investment you will use for many years.

Perfection

No one needs to sell the Neumann TLM 103. It's the best of the best, next to the U87 (which is just too expensive for us mere mortals).The TLM 103 is the last microphone a Voice Actor or Singer will ever need to buy. It lives up to the hype. The brand shock mount it comes with is a perfect addition. The case was unnecessary and overkill, but maybe it'll be of use one day.If you're on the fence about mics, just buy this one. You won't ever need another.

Review of Neumann TLM 103 Studio Condenser Mic In Black Finish with Shock Mount

The mic itself is fantastic, as you'd expect. A very crisp sound compared to my Sennheiser MK4. The recorded sound keeps its quality remarkably well even when recording at a much lower gain and then normalised/compressed back up, to a preferred hearing range. With my Sennheiser I would notice the tinny effect, whereas with the TLM 103 there is little to none of that, save in the breaths which I remove anyway.Great purchase and this mic definitely provides the quality Neumann are known for.

Your search is over. Buy it now and never look back!

In a world of copycats clones and wannabes Neumann reigns supreme. Only Neumann can deliver that smooth expensive high frequency smoothness we all know and love.What makes the TLM 49 truly exceptional is with no EQ or de essing vocals sound perfect and sit flawlessly in the mix. I really can't recommend the Neumann TLM 49 more highly. Don't be misled, hear this microphone for yourself. Thank you Neumann!