Neumann TLM 103

Somanescu Mihail · **Voice Talent** Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 3

Hi,

I need some advice on a microphone.
I use at the moment a Rode NT2a and thinking of making the switch to a Neumann TLM 103.

I really don't know what to think about the Neumann. I read some reviews and some say "sounds great", others "sounds great but it has some disadvantages on the omni etc", a few complain on the "too much bright sound".

Any opinions?
PS: I know that "the best mic is that one YOU sound good on". I tried it once I a liked it a lot.

Mihail

Jacob Ekstroem · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Jul 2007 Posts: 721

Mihail,

I believe the TLM103 to be a pretty decent mic. But I also think your NT2a is a decent mic. Same as several other mics, that are cheaper than the TLM. So why should you care?

Let me say it this way: Neumann make great mics, no doubt about that, but there's this hype about them, that makes everyone believe, that whenever they try and talk into a Neumann, they sound amazing. And hey, if Neumann's are what ALL the studios use, why shouldn't I?

The truth (or at least my version of it) is this: The U87 is a great mic, because it's a "no-bulls**t" mic. It sounds great on most voices, because it doesn't try to do anything else. You could say the U87 is a boring microphone, but it's a swizz knife: a great place to work out from. Very transparent, very trustworthy.
Now, the TLM103 is like the "budget" version of the U87. A very good all-round mic for voice, a safe bet. And with the right voice, the right preamp and the right settings, it can sound REALLY good (hear John Weeks' samples in the "Post a sample...-thread"), but no one should expect it to sound out-of-this-world right out of the box.

If you have the chance, take a TLM home (maybe buy with a full-refund option) and test it opposite your NT2. My bet is, you won't be blown away the way you might expect, but off course I wouldn't know.

I guess my point is, that the Neumann's are not all that. If you only need a mic for your own voice, there are SO many other exciting mics to try out, many of them even cheaper than the TLM103. It's cool to have a Neumann in front of you whenever you do VO, but with a little effort and research, you may be able to save some money to spend on other things, and STILL get a great mic.
And if you still wanna go for the TLM103, rest asure you have a nice mic.

Lance Blair · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008, 14:05 (GMT) Post subject:

I agree with everything Jacob wrote.

If you feel good on a 103, that can only help your confidence and performance. Try one out, and good luck with it.

Personally, I don't love 103s for voice and think they can sound really grating and can really strain under higher SPL. It is a really good mic for the money, but there are a few mics for similar or less money that I like slightly better. If someone gave me a 103, I'd use it from time to time and I don't sound bad on one at all. I prefer the TLM 193 and TLM49 for a couple hundred extra bucks.

TLM is Transformer-Less Microphone, in case anyone is wondering.

ricevoice · Joined: 07 Apr 2008 Posts: 33

A few months ago I test-drove a TLM-103... it sounded a little better than my Marshall MXL 2001, but not $800 better. So I returned it and tried a Rode NTK. To me, with my voice/room/pre, I actually preferred it to the TLM-103, and at half the cost it was a no-brainer.

The TLM-103 seems to be a nice mic, but it's very sensitive... it seems to me that you need a very quiet room and a good pre to really make it shine. But it's not for everyone. And Rode makes very good mics and keeps them affordable.

You mentioned you tried the TLM-103 once and liked it... what was the mic chain? It could have been the sound of the pre that you liked too. That's why testing it in your own studio, with your own room and chain, is really the only way to really know if the mic will suit your needs.

If you're unhappy with how you sound on the Rode then obviously a different mic is the way to go. If not, maybe keeping the Rode and upgrading your pre might be another option. I'm looking to do just that in the next few months, adding either a John Hardy M1 or Great River pre to my chain.

Somanescu Mihail · **Voice Talent** Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 3

Thanks for taking time with me.

As I said I use a Rode NT2a for about 3 years.
The chain is the original one. That's Mic- M audio Firewire 410 with preamp- DAW.
At the begining I had in mind a mixer but a buddy of mine convinced me that if I don't use multiple sources of recording, the mixer woul only bring noise to the recording.

I'm happy with the sound Rode gets out of me but, since my business develops, I was thinking that a better mic would bring upgrade and better sound.
For demonstration purposes, I attached a dry demo (in Romanian). It's true, the sound is processed but...I think it sound pretty good.

So...in the end...the Rode it's a keeper. But, I'm still opened to opinions of others that had experiences with the TLM.

Thanks
Mihail

Chris Clementson · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 216

Emmett Andrews · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 132

The magic of the 103 is in the placement, which many people neglect. Many voice people, especially former radio people, feel the need to go directly into the diaphragm...This is usually not good with the 103. Give it space, tilt it, move it....Most mics have a fairly small sweet spot. The TLM103 has a gigantic sweet spot that allows for a million different timbres. To take advantage, it requires a very good room, but I've heard it sound amazing at 20". It doesn't lose its intimacy and it becomes very, very open and three-dimensional. Going into the diaphragm creates a muddy and shrill mess. Going a little off-axis at 6" does wonders. There are a number of mics that behave this way...The Audio-Technica 40-series also needs space, for instance...Without it, mouth noise will be awful and the low end will be loose and muddy. Give it a few inches off-axis and you'll have one of the best sounding low-priced mics available.

Emmett

Jacob Ekstroem · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Jul 2007 Posts: 721

Very interesting info, Emmett... thanks!

Lance Blair · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008, 02:02 (GMT) Post subject:

Good points, Emmett and I definitely agree with you. The 103 and ATs dead on are yucky (for lack of a better technical term) but I did like my AT high up and away for louder pieces. You really do need a great sounding room to make them work, that's a main reason for me not to recommend it for most home studio vo's.