Neumann TLM 103-MT Large Diaphragm Cardioid Microphone, Black, XLR

Product Information

The U87ai is often cited as ‘the voice over microphone’, ‘the go-to singer’s microphone’, or ‘the best orchestral spot microphone’, and is even many people’s default piano microphone.

The self noise (ie. that of the internal circuitry) of the new mic is stunningly low compared with similar models; presumably this is another benefit of the 103's TLM circuitry (see the 'More On TLM' box for more on this). The equivalent SPL is quoted at just 7dB A‑weighted (according to the DIN/IEC 651 measurement specification) whereas the current U87Ai (which is already about 6dB quieter than previous versions) is specified as having a self noise of 12dB (A‑weighted) in cardioid mode. The polar response is relevant here because, as the U87 is a multi‑polar design, it has higher noise figures in the other two patterns (omni and figure‑of‑eight) due to the contribution of the rear half of the capsule. Prior to getting the TLM 103, I was using a Shure KSM-32 for vocals in my studio, which always produced good results. The TLM is a fair amount more expensive (more than twice), but I was still surprised at how much better it sounded on vocals. Then I got a second TLM 103, and used the two to mic a Yamaha grand piano. The sound quality and detail was truly amazing. For customers in outlying areas of the country, the price of the Extended Warranty may be marginally higher, due to the potential for higher collection and redelivery transport costs. The sound of the TLM 103 is highly modeled after Neumann’s legendary U87 and Neumann has done a great job to provide pristine sound quality at a (relatively) affordable price. The thing that most impressed us is how sensitive and detailed this microphone is, while having virtually no audible self noise. I've mostly used it on vocals, and find it to really shine for that use. It has a very nice, sparkly top-end, that doesn't become too harsh if used the right way. I'm a particularly sibilant singer, but simply placing myself a bit off axis from the microphone fixes all sibilance problems with the TLM103. I've used it with a few female singers who were an even better match. I rarely have to EQ at all most of the time, and when I do, I find that the TLM103 is a mic that can be EQed very well.

DEALER FINDER

It is capable of handling sound pressure levels up to 138 DB without distortion, and Neumann TLM 103 provides a dynamic range of 131 DB, according to DIN/IEC 651. Nice proximity effect if wanted. I personnally use it with the LA-610 mic-pre/compressor, which is a bit of a dark pre. I find the mic to become a bit too bright when use with my cleaner SSL pre from my Nucleus. David Hamilton-Smith (of Olympic Studios fame) – multi gold disc award wining recording engineer/mixer for Andrew Lloyd Webber The capsule is fixed on a rubber mount which is, in turn, situated on a small circular circuit board placed horizontally just below the mic's grille. This circuit board is supported by a specially shaped rubber ring that provides further isolation from structural vibrations. The double‑sided PCB carries all the head amplifier electronics and, as you might expect, surface‑mount components have been employed throughout, so that the complete assembly is extremely compact. Consequently, the new mic does not require the long tubular body of its sibling, and its stubby body is perfectly suited to the compact internals. In fact, apart from the XLR output connector and a short length of ribbon cable, even the bottom 30mm of the minimal casing is completely empty.

The letter TLM stands for “transformerless microphone.” An electronic structure has swapped the common transformer with the help of TLM Technology. The TLM 103* is the ideal large diaphragm microphone for all professional and semi-professional applications requiring the utmost in sound quality on a limited budget. It uses the tried and true transformerless circuit found in numerous Neumann microphones and the capsule, derived from that used in the U 87. The overall frequency response is very natural and open and, although the TLM103 displays the characteristic warmth associated with the classic U87 and U67, its bass response is in no way overblown. Having said that, care is needed in placing the mic to ensure that the powerful proximity effect does not become a dominant part of the captured sound. Still on the subject of the lower end of the frequency range, the TLM103's internal amplifier is apparently linear well below 20Hz, and although the mic's frequency response tails off gradually below about 60Hz, it remains surprisingly sensitive to structural vibrations and wind noise. (I found, for example, that the mic captured every footfall when it was mounted on a stand with the supplied swivel‑mount adaptor.) Consequently, I would strongly recommend the use of the appropriate elastic suspension and a decent foam windshield. After review, and in our opinion, it’s the best cardioid microphone available at its price. It requires little post processing and you’re getting professional record-quality sound right out of the box. Because of its extremely low-self noise and distortion, it’s a very accurate microphone that sounds great in just about any mix situation.

Customer Reviews

The TLM 103 is a cardioid microphone with a large diaphragm condenser capsule derived from the classic K67/87 capsule of the legendary Neumann U 87. However, the TLM 103 has a slightly more modern voicing with a wide presence boost for frequencies above 5 kHz. Its very direct yet refined sound is perfect for vocals, and solo instruments that pop out of the mix without effort. Of course, the TLM 103 also has the famous authoritative midrange that has become the hallmark of Neumann microphones and made them the number one choice in studios around the world. A unique feature of the TLM 103 is its impressively deep yet controlled low end, perfect for sonorous voices and powerful bass instruments. Technical Excellence The letters TLM stand for "transformerless microphone". With TLM technology the usual output transformer is replaced by an electronic circuit. As with traditional transformers, it ensures good common mode rejection and prevents RF interference that may influence the balanced audio signal. Neumann TLM 103 Features: Spares and accessories: EA 87 elastic suspension, EA 87 MT elastic suspension, WS 87 windshield. Variants U 87 Ai Ensure that you have a quiet recording ambiance to get the most value from this microphone, as it’s prone to catch the ambient sounds even in a noisy place. The Neumann TLM 103 is one of the top brands and high-quality microphones available in the market, and it is one of Neumann’s best-selling microphones.

Their capsules undergo over fifty different tests before final assembly, and Neumann prefers to manufacture their microphones through many handicrafts, and you can certainly see and feel this. The high-pass switch was great for limiting the proximity effect and achieving a tighter but full sound, but unfortunately, this feature is missing from these two examples. MALE VOICE: BBC and History Channel continuity voice artist and Radio Presenter Adrian Lacey, recorded in my studio VO booth. When it comes to the mid and high frequencies, the TLM 103 has a wider and brighter curve than the 102. But the 102 has a cool bump around 6 kHz, so it's got more presence.

The Neumann TLM 102 is the most accessible large diaphragm condenser that the company makes. Considered an entry-level mic, it’s the perfect way to introduce Neumann quality to your home or project studio. Even at a fraction of the cost of a U87, for example, the TLM 102 screams quality, and is manufactured in Germany like all Neumann microphones. The TLM 102 is based on a new edge terminated diaphragm design and, as part of its “no-frills” simplistic design brief; it has no pad or filter switches available. It is still comfortingly able to withstand up to 144dB SPL with only 0.5% distortion, so that should be your drums, guitar amps and any of ‘the brass faculty’ nonsense taken care of then. As we all know the U87 has been resulting in sublime excellence for years to date and surely will for years to come. Because the TLM 103 has little off-axis coloration, this allows you to experiment with different angles during recording to best achieve your desired sound. This can be useful for very sibilant singers, in which recording a bit off-axis can eliminate excess sibilance. The transformerless design of this microphone also results in a very solid bass response. You can capture impressively deep and controlled low end. This results in it doing a great job at recording bassy sound sources. Its advantage of recording bassy sources also applies when recording in close mic situations. It also does very well with its proximity effect relative to other condensers, resulting in a balanced sound even when recording very close to sound sources. Sensitive Care Due to minimal self-noise: on-air mic for radio/broadcast, very low amplitude signals, radio drama, sampling, foley/sound effects