Neumann Tlm 49 Cardioid Condenser Microphone

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!

It may sound crazy, but I am just starting out learning to sing, and so I therefore wanted to buy a great microphone to record with. I am actually a keyboardist, but I need to sing too and I have experimented with the Neumann TLM 102 before. I wanted something even more clean and satisfying. So I bought this microphone and for the past week have been making music both with and without processing. What I am hearing is a very smooth sound to my voice, and I think there is something special about this product that I could not get with other microphones. A microphone like this would probably be a good choice for just about any singer who, in her or his own studio, needs a well-built smooth sounding microphone that will capture many nuances of the voice of the singer (or ... MoreIt may sound crazy, but I am just starting out learning to sing, and so I therefore wanted to buy a great microphone to record with. I am actually a keyboardist, but I need to sing too and I have experimented with the Neumann TLM 102 before. I wanted something even more clean and satisfying. So I bought this microphone and for the past week have been making music both with and without processing. What I am hearing is a very smooth sound to my voice, and I think there is something special about this product that I could not get with other microphones. A microphone like this would probably be a good choice for just about any singer who, in her or his own studio, needs a well-built smooth sounding microphone that will capture many nuances of the voice of the singer (or speaker). Microphones like this are very interesting because a microphone should deliver a great and direct sound regardless of the kind of music one uses it for. The Neumann TLM 49 was a great choice for my studio.

Partnered this baby with a Shelford Channel and a Apollo Twin X Quadcore and the result was silk. The dynamics of this mic allowed for airy highs and rich low mids. The mic is worth every penny. Bought my daughter the U87 and was worried about spending another 3600 and was not disappointed in the least when I ordered this from AMS. Their rep actively listened to my needs and love of Neumann products and selected the mic best suited. I am very pleased. Thanks AMS

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!

Follow-up to my previous review from 8 years ago

I now have three of these microphones. I love them, and I guess it's the K49 capsule that makes them sound so good. Same capsule as the fabled U47. Running a pair of TLM49's through a pair of UA 6176 channel strips recording drums, not as overheads, but about 4-6 feet out in front of the kit in a well-treated room, just sounds great.

Great Vocal Microphone Huge Sound

I have been recording for well over 45 years and have been using Neumann microphones forever.I know everybody wants to sing through a U87 which I have along with a U47 tube microphone that was my go to vocal microphone for myself than I auditioned the TLM 49 in the GC store in Tampa about 4 years ago and have wanted one ever since. This is my favorite vocal microphone and it makes acoustic Guitars sound big as can be. I typically use through a US LA610 MK II or Neve Portico 5012 Pre into an LA-2a just wonderful. I have so many microphones I can use to record my vocal and a great vocal chain, but this TLM 49 is by far the best.

Neumann TLM 49 recording microphone

This is a precise, precision piece of equipment that can record instruments and vocals with frightening reality. If you place it correctly and keep the gain to a low enough level so it doesn't overwhelm your recorder, it records exactly what you pump into it. I own four of them and am always amazed at how realistic my recordings are. This is not a stage mike. I suppose you could use it in place of a dynamic microphone in performance, but it is not made to do that job. It records exceptionally well. If you want the technical data on the device go to the Neumann web site and they can give you a mind numbing set of specifications. I use it mainly to record instruments such as guitars and keyboards; I also use it as an area mike to record ambient sound. The best setup ... MoreThis is a precise, precision piece of equipment that can record instruments and vocals with frightening reality. If you place it correctly and keep the gain to a low enough level so it doesn't overwhelm your recorder, it records exactly what you pump into it. I own four of them and am always amazed at how realistic my recordings are. This is not a stage mike. I suppose you could use it in place of a dynamic microphone in performance, but it is not made to do that job. It records exceptionally well. If you want the technical data on the device go to the Neumann web site and they can give you a mind numbing set of specifications. I use it mainly to record instruments such as guitars and keyboards; I also use it as an area mike to record ambient sound. The best setup would be a high quality preamp in front of your recorder input so you can warm up the incoming signal to taste.

Review of Neumann TLM 49 Studio Condenser Microphone (Includes Suspension)

I read and Read just about All I could find of various reviews and comparisons for this microphone, and wanted to make a Quality statement with renewing my studio equipment! This is a sturdy affair and a substantial piece of kit, set in it's matching suspension cradle, and could do no less than then sit it on a heavy duty boom stand, to further protect it with deserving confidence. Of equal consideration was the pop shield, so invested in a steel grill 'MXL' with a black ribbed edging to compliment the look and feel. I've never before been able to spend so much on a single instrument, and the prompt delivery and customer follow up certainly help me to avoid any buyers remorse which may have crept in. This 'Neumann' TLM 49 Studio Condenser is a Lovely piece of kit, ... MoreI read and Read just about All I could find of various reviews and comparisons for this microphone, and wanted to make a Quality statement with renewing my studio equipment! This is a sturdy affair and a substantial piece of kit, set in it's matching suspension cradle, and could do no less than then sit it on a heavy duty boom stand, to further protect it with deserving confidence. Of equal consideration was the pop shield, so invested in a steel grill 'MXL' with a black ribbed edging to compliment the look and feel. I've never before been able to spend so much on a single instrument, and the prompt delivery and customer follow up certainly help me to avoid any buyers remorse which may have crept in. This 'Neumann' TLM 49 Studio Condenser is a Lovely piece of kit, and has already taken it's pride of place in my modest home studio, and apart from falling prey to maybe an envy theft, is likely to stay with me it's Lifetime, or until I'm ever shown or Hear otherwise. I've yet to record with it, but just sparking it up for some home studio live practise, through a modest powered mixer and a few passive PA speakers, the sound has a Warm, Clear tone, which now means I can retire my other mics for a while for recording those more Intimate moments. They've All been trusty friends of mine these years, so I don't do this lightly, but between them, lets say, I May just have found a combination of sorts, which suits my middle-aged, deeper male resonance, but either way, just in Looking at the 'Neumann 49' which has a bigger body than many of it's other models, I am for the First Time, Inspired to Want to sing something and record, which has been a lifetime in coming, and not something I've been able to say before, having little confidence in the vocal side of my recordings.Thanks for the experience. Sincerely Yours, DoK, Penzance, Cornwall...

Stepped My Game Up

Being a Neumann, this thing is not cheap! I have to say though, everything about this microphone's design speaks of quality. The very first time that I fired it up, I was absolutely amazed at the pristine quality of the sound and just how sensitive it was- picking up sounds far beyond the studio! I used to settle my Shure at about 40 DB going straight into my DAW through an Apogee Element, an noticed instantly that 25 dB with this mic was all I needed to lay my vocals sweetly into the mix. Vocalists will absolutely love that you can sing with passion and this mic can take it ( with a Pop filter of course), but more importantly, this mic can capture your most subtle and quiet phrases perfectly. In short, I love it.

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!