NEUMANN MICROPHONES

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Permalink Reply by Randy Thomas on June 25, 2008 at 12:41pm

I would spend the money and upgrade. I think you will be amazed at the difference in audio quality no matter what voice print you have. I personally use the Manley Reference (black) Cardioid. I pair it with the Manley Vox Box. It rocks for me! I will be adding the Neumann to my small but growing collection of mics.

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Permalink Reply by Terry Daniel on June 25, 2008 at 12:46pm

Thank you, Randy! I am sure you are right! :)

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Permalink Reply by Terry Daniel on June 25, 2008 at 12:51pm

Hey Joe! I am not surprised! I've read wonderful reviews everywhere. Especially for the price. So, Merry Christmas, Terry Daniel! I am off to get one! :)

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Permalink Reply by John Taylor on June 25, 2008 at 1:03pm

I like my 416 at home in the whisper room.....when I get out of the house i use the TLM 103 at a weekly session i do....I like it fine. The pre-amp is a big part of the picture....the Manley Randy has is a work of art...my friend Harry Legg raves about it paired with the Nuemann. But since I fall under the catagory characterized by presidential candidates as "the working poor" the Avalon is a cheaper but very well built pre-amp alternative for thousands less. Joe Cip uses the Avalon with his U-87. You should see if there's a local studio that has a TLM-103 and a few other mics for you to try. Maybe you can trade a VO for the test drive session. I sprung for the 416 because I liked my sound on it at various studios here in Hwood. Good luck Terry

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Permalink Reply by Terry Daniel on June 25, 2008 at 1:20pm

Hey John! Great info as well! I think just to be safe, I'll get all of them! Ha!

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Permalink Reply by J S Gilbert on June 25, 2008 at 1:07pm

I own several Neumann microphones and Telefunken (George Neumann made microphones) and the one I am the least enamored with is the TLM103. Of course, it is the least expensive of the Neumann microphones that I won. Personally, for less money I thik either the Rode NT1 or Groove Tubes GT67 are both better microphones. In fact, in a microphone shootout that we had last year the TLM 103 didn't fare well against either of those microphones and sev eral others both more and less expensive.

I would suggest that you find some decent equipment dealer and audition the hell out of the microphone and also see if you can get some sort of 7 or 10 day trial to use it at home.

Owning a Telefunken u47 and a Neumann u87, both vintage Neumann, along with even a newer Telefunken AK47, I can tell you that the TLM103 is much more brittle and on my voice and many of the male voices I have used it on, the slight slope from 2.5k up tends to promtoe any type of sybillance that the speaker may have. Proximity on the microphone is okay, but all of the microphones I mention here seem to have better proximity, accentuating the deep resonance that we all strive to get for "Voiceo f God" work when we work very close up on the microphone.

I would also say that the preamp you pair this with will also factor in very heavily and anything short of an Avalon will probably just add to the shortcomings inherent in this microphone.

I believe that many have become lulled into either a false sense of security or are just "excited" that they can own a Neumann and that more than anything accounts for the popularity of this microphone.

Are there some voices that I think sound good on it? Yes, of course. But in general I think youo get a much better microphone for less money purchasing a Rode or GT. They do not have the Neumann name to fall back on. If this microphone had an average street price of $500 - $600 new, it would be a better investment, but given that even eBay prices new TLM 103's around $1,000, it is very hard to recommend it.

You have the advantage of not having clients come into your studio, so you don't need to own a Neumann (although if you can afford a U87, you can't go wrong). That's probably the one to save up for if you really want a Neumann. Otherwise, lesser known manufacturers abound and Peluso makes several microphones that beat the pants off the TLM103 for $1,000 or so. Peluso manufacturers his microphones in the tradition or style of classic Neumann and Telefunken microphones.


Justr thought you'd appreciate a counter opinion from someone who owns 38 microphones and counting.

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Permalink Reply by Terry Daniel on June 25, 2008 at 1:15pm

38 mics? Get a life! Haha! Seriously, fantastic information!

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Permalink Reply by John Taylor on June 25, 2008 at 1:17pm

You are the Uber-Mic-Geek of the Voiceover Universe!
....or as George Neumann might say...
"Sie sind ausgezeichnet" :-)

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Permalink Reply by Mike Cooper on January 25, 2009 at 2:22pm

I haven't found an issue with sibilance on the 103, actually J S. Quite the reverse, in fact. My AT 4040 emphasised this aspect lots, but the 103 is much, much smoother on my voice.

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Permalink Reply by Hollywood on June 25, 2008 at 1:07pm

Yes Indeed!! I used to use the Shure KSM32 but once I switched to the TLM over a year ago, a whole new world opened up..Trust me its well worth the 999.99!!!

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Permalink Reply by Bobbin Beam on June 25, 2008 at 1:35pm

Hi Terry,
I had a Shure KSM32 and bought a Newmann TLM 193, (which is kind of between the 103 and U87i on the price scale) plus a Rode NT1A. I interchange them, depending on the "sound" desired.
Both mics made a HUGE difference in the overall quality. Both are large diaphragm mics and are very sensitive. The Neumann has a mellower, warmer sound quality, and the Rode is "brighter". Hope this helps!
All the Best,
Bobbin Beam, ISDN Voice Actress

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Permalink Reply by Brad Venable on June 25, 2008 at 1:40pm

I recently got a TLM-103 and have been very pleased with it. I run it through a Grace 101 pre and I believe I'm producing better sounding stuff than ever before. I still have my Rode K2, which I love, and I have a Groove Tubes "The Brick" pre (which is tube) if I need it. So now I have the possibility of having a tube mic/solid state pre or vice versa combination, as well as go all solid state or all tube. I might be one of those that suffer from major GAS (Gear Aquisition Syndrome), but I'm a total nerd and love new stuff.

I love my TLM-103, but I would say audition several pres to pair with it. My Grace 101 has been touted as the best pre for under $1000. I tend to agree. :)

Brad

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