Neumann TLM 103 Studio Microphone User Reviews at zZounds

"Lives up to the reputation!" submitted September 19, 2011

By a customer from suite224.net

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Musical Background: Voiceover artist

Music Style: Voice

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Sound: I have several other microphones that I've been working with for voiceover and podcast work, an RE20, MXL990 and a Rode NT1-A. It's like someone saying, "my brand is just as good as Neumann". They aren't, nor should the other mics be considered in the same class, and now I know why first hand. Since I can't afford the $3,000 mics, this "low end" mic was the next step in the evolution of mic purchases. Right after hooking it up and placing the headphones on, I could tell there was a huge difference right away. I've heard some reviewers say that this mic is very sensitive. My impression was that it was sensitive but extremely quiet. I didn't get all the background noise that I expected to hear. It was extremely clean and pleasant. Reproduction was incredible. This is a mic that you should target if its in your budget. Feature: Plug and play. No other features present and not really needed. Ease of Use: Again, plug and play. Quality: You just know that this is a mic set apart from the others, from the wood case to the weight of the mic compared to others. It exudes quality by look and feel, even before you start using it. Value: For a home studio, don't bother wasting your time with anything else. If you want a true recording instrument, this is it! Overall: This is going to be my primary VO microphone for many years to come. If I should decide to upgrade further, I have no doubt that I can get the majority of my money back out of it.

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"ITSA NEUMANN, I'm good." submitted February 7, 2008

By a customer from norins.com

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Musical Background: Serious a cappella vocalist

Music Style: Serious a cappella vocals

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Sound: After buying and trying a bunch of mic's, I decided to "go for the gold" and purchase a Neumann. Instantly impressed the very first time I recorded vocals with it. Head and shoulders above anything else in my mike cabinet. Not just an improvement, a quantum leap. Feature: Give me a switch or two. Whatever. If you have decent preamp and workstation software, why mess with the sound at the source? Ease of Use: Couldn't be simpler. True plug and play. Quality: Simply outstanding. Don't drop it or scratch it. Surprise? Value: It's expensive. You are buying a name, a reputation and a legacy. Manufacturer Support: No idea. Build well to last. The Wow Factor: I bought it - 'nuff said. Overall: You all know its true. Sour grapes takes 2nd place.

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"A Neumann? You can't miss" submitted January 12, 2004

By a customer from mailexcite.com

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Music Style: Christian

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Sound: For under a grand, you can't get any better. They hold there value and are very clean and quiet Feature: As a Neumann, it sounds really good. That is it's best feature. I have other Neumanns, KM184's and an M149 and still find niches for this little cardoid Quality: The only thing that is weak is the plastic holder, but I use the suspension so it doesn't matter Value: Don't waste your money trying to save a buck on a some little toad. Buy a Neumann. Manufacturer Support: Check out the Neumann pinboard. The Wow Factor: Buy one now.

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"I love this mic" submitted February 11, 2006

By a customer from yahoo.com

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Musical Background: ex professional musician. Hobbyist recording engineer

Music Style: wide spectrum. Mostly country and alternative

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Sound: This mic is sweet and smooth. Excellent response. Crisp without harshness. I love this mic. Feature: No roll off, no multiple patterns. But works well in most applications. Quality: Professional equipment. Looks and works great. Value: Sounds like a top of the line large diaphragm condenser but cost is around $1000. Manufacturer Support: Have not tried to deal with Neumann directly. The Wow Factor: It's cool. Everyone who comes into my studio comments on this mic. It looks as cool as it sounds. Overall: I bought this mic on a recommendation from a friend who is a big shot engineer in Hollywood. He told me if I didn't love it, he would buy it from me for the price I paid. I still have it and will until it or I give out. If it gives out first, I will buy another one.

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"Better than my best instrument, and lets me be my own remarkable engineer..." submitted April 12, 2006

By a customer from eskimo.com

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Musical Background: Full time muscian 11+ years, leader of two active ensembles and in-demand soloist.

Music Style: Celtic.

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SPOTLIGHT REVIEW

Sound: Detailed, spot on, full and round with harmonics from woodwinds. I record weekly with celtic ensemble, pipes, cello, fiddle, drum -- live to two track. Not just nice sound -- terrific reproduction. Highs aren't brassy, bottom full. Great, have used two of these since they came out. Feature: The only one that counts: The Sound. Oh yes, all that reliability I've gained over the last 8 years. And all the time I've saved over placing a mic that would be substandard to this one. Ease of Use: Very easy. Saves me hours a week, easily. Quality: I use two of these in a home stereo, live to two track HD recording. I treat them with great respect. After eight years, they still work great. Value: Yes, definetly. Manufacturer Support: Haven't needed any. I do use Neuman cables as well. They really beat out the move expensive XLR's that I tried. The Wow Factor: This is a great looking mic. Almost intimidating, especially in the vertical X-Y I have them in. Overall: You know, I have looked for a better product, mostly because I like finding out about new gear. Sadly, I have not been able to find better mike for under multiple thousands of dollars (I say Sadly because I love buying new gear, but I also love the wisdom of a choice that has saved me time, increased my value as a muscian over several years). Best for my purposes would be C12, but that's out of my league. These are that, but they didn't cost 6K a piece, either.

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"TLM 103 Microphone A/B tests" submitted May 25, 2007

By a customer from comcast.com

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Musical Background: Recording Industry

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Sound: I have recently compared the Neumann TLM 103 to my Neumann TLM 49 and U87. Although these microphones cost quite a bit more than the TLM 103, there was a huge difference in overall results recording male and female vocals,at 8 inch mic distance, through an Avalon VT737 to ProTools ,all EQ set flat in recording mode. The TLM 49 and U87 had a more smoothe,natural,and neutral sound ,while the TLM 103 had a more bassy and nasal sound on playback. There were too many mids at around 500Hz to 800Hz causing me to cut these frequencies. The lows were definitely on the high side at around 100Hz especially when recording a male singer. I cut about 3db at 100Hz on the Avalon because there is no bass roll-off on the TLM 103. The TLM 49 (also without a bass roll-off ) and U87 do not have an exaggerated bottom end and the mids are pretty close to perfect. After some extensive EQing the TLM 103 had a fairly good sound on female and male vocal takes.The bottom line is that the U87 and TLM 49 are much more natural sounding and do vocals more justice without alot of EQ adjustments on playback. If your looking for the Neumann sound,in my opinion, spend a little more on the other models mentioned above. Feature: Quality:

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"The Shiz'nit" submitted July 29, 2004

By a customer from hotmail.com

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The Wow Factor

Music Style: All Kinds

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Sound: simply awesome on everything Feature: no shockmount (but seems well internally shockmounted) No advanced pattern selections Quality: german quality Manufacturer Support: never needed it. Accessories are rediculously expensive. Seems kind of a slap in the face, when you've already dropped over a grand on the thing...

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"A Winner!" submitted January 27, 2007

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The Wow Factor

Musical Background: Producer, recording artist, musician, engineer

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Sound: Clean, transparent and huge. Great mic. Feature: Does what it does beautifully. Want bells and whistles, get an ice cream truck. Ease of Use: No brainer. Quality: Neumann! The name speaks for itself. Value: Value-able. Manufacturer Support: Never required service. The Wow Factor: I have a stacked microphone cabinet with Neumanns, AKGs, Lawson, Soundelux, etc., etc., and a host of cost effective mics. The TLM 103 is a mic I wouldn't hesitate using anytime on any project. It's a beauty; Neumann's gift to the financially challenged project studio with the great big distictive Neumann sound. Why to go Neumann. Overall: A winner!

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"producer of many." submitted October 16, 2004

By a customer from yahoo.com

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Musical Background: producrer

Music Style: r&b,hip hop

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Sound: don`t need to eq. Feature: wish it was multi polar. Quality: best mic under a grand. Manufacturer Support: don`t need none. Overall: shine`s over anything in it`s price range.

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Neumann TLM103 Microphone Customer Review submitted April 10, 2006

By a customer from yahoo.com

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Musical Background: Producer/Engineer

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Sound: The overall sound of this mic is o.k.- nothing really outstanding. I used this mic on vocals, with an Avalon M5 mic preamp and didn't really see much improvement (if any) compared to microphones alot less in price. Feature: There aren't any features to speak of like a bass rolloff and attenuator. Even though this is really an entry level Neumann,I would've expected at least these features. Ease of Use: Definitely needed some EQ even when used with the Avalon M5,which isn't usually the case. I would say it was as easy to get an "acceptable" sound on vocals, as some of my cheaper $200 mics like my Audio Technica AT3035 and the like. Value: Not really what I would call an excetional value. It is definitely quite pricey for what you get soundwise. This is especially evident when recording vocals. Overall: Overall,this microphone isn't bad sounding, but I wouldn't consider it to be outstanding in any way.

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Neumann TLM103 Microphone Customer Review submitted July 26, 2011

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Sound: A mic that's built by Sennheiser and has alot of the old Neumann quality sound. Not exactly a sound that's not exactly in line with the older Neumann's but is quite good ! Feature: There isn't any rool off or pad, but the sound is fairly good. Ease of Use: really easey to use, just plug it in and set the gain. Quality: Good quality mic, definitely well made. Value: Kind of high priced for what you get - It's got a great brand name. Manufacturer Support: I've dealt with Sennheiser/Neumann. They are great to deal with ! The Wow Factor: ?????? it'a a small mic, I don't know if anything small is sexy... lol ! Overall: sound is pretty good on instruments such as acoustic guitar when used with a respectable pre.

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"This has to be the modern classic mic for Neumann. It sounds Beautiful." submitted April 26, 2006

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Musical Background: 8 Years

Music Style: RnB, Rap, Ballads, etc.

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SPOTLIGHT REVIEW

Sound: Dont be fooled by some of the reviews below, they don't even list preamps used, etc. The sound of this mic is just like a classic u87. It has the same characteristics throughout. We put a TLM 103 up against a hired in u87, and used a Summit Tube Preamp, going into the Apogee Rosetta 800 into Logic Pro. For monitoring, we used a pair of high end Adam S3a's. We recorded a Male RnB Vocalist with a smooth Donell Jones styled voice. The vocals came out like for like on both mics, and neither mic was any better. Both mics had the same classic Neuammn sound, with that unique midrange presence, and both mics cut right through the mixes with vivid detail, with no Eq applied. The sound was full and rounded with slight low midrange warmth, with just about enough air to make the vocals sound natural yet open and defined. We normally use either hire in a u87 (classic) or a AT4060 tube mic. But since we tried out the 103, our vocalists all prefer it, especially over the AT4060, which tends to sound darker than the neumann. Overall, the TLM 103 sounds so close to the bigger bro, that in a blind vocal test, you wouldnt know which to choose. We ended up buying one after all out tests and looks like we dont need to hire that 87 ever again. Feature: Simplest things are the best. No switches, and its a fixed pattern. A true vocal mic. Its a U87 without the transformer, switches and and the extra patterns. Ease of Use: How easy can it get, A high quality cable, a decent mic pre, and started recording in pro qaulity. Quality: Build quality is what you would expect from a German company like Neumann. The finish on this mic is Ace, no marks, no cheapness, just solid construction and amazing craft. I also have alot of time for another great brand AKG, but still prefer the Neumann sound overall. Value: I payed alot for this mic and bought it as a set with its shockmount. If stolen, i would replace it in a heartbeat. Its a million miles better than 'ANY' chinese mic like the SE's and the like. Its only takes a few good listens to see hear the difference in reproduction of sound qaulity and resolution pick up. The chinese mics tend to be harsh, brittle, and lack definition, no matter what the Ad says. Manufacturer Support: Never needed them. The Wow Factor: It looks the business, small yet solid, smart and beautifully formed, and has the Neumann brand to look up to. It looks as good as it sounds IMO. The mic has a Pro look and its much better to look at than some of the cheaper bulky mics. Overall: I have tried so many mics, and really loved the way the U87 sounded with our vocalists. After hiring the U87 for over 2 years, i decided to try out the TLM 103, and it sounds the same, if not a little quieter. Its a mic for life, and its staying. For under $1000, this is the best and most convincing sounding mic in market. Some say it lacks any character, or it sounds lifeless. Thats becuase they are used to scooped sounding mics like the classic clones, or they have a problem source in the first place.

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"DON'T BE FOOLED BY THE NEUMANN LOGO!!!!!!!!!" submitted March 19, 2005

By a customer from NETSCAPE.NET

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Musical Background: SOUND ENGINEER AND MUSICIAN

Music Style: VARIOUS.

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Sound: The tlm103 is a very boxy sounding microphone.It has way too many low mids (from 400 to 700hz).All mics should be used with a quality peramp(especially this one). Also there is an integrated circuit operational amplifier on the mics internal transformerless design.This is very undesirable and not something audiophiles like to have in their mic pre's or in any microphone design. The tlm103 is way overpriced because it has the Neumann logo on it. Try comparing the tlm 103 to a Rode nt1a and you'll see(and hear)that the 200 dollar nt1a will out perform it. Listen with quality studio monitors or with quality studio headphones. You'll hear the boxiness of the tlm 103 and the almost perfect sound of the rode nt1a. the tlm103 also lacks highs(no way near as transparent as a Rode nt1a or a neumann u87I. Incidentally the Neumann u87I doesn't use i.c. op amps in it's design,hence a much better sound. Feature: What features? At this price you would expect a bass rolloff and an attenuator... But what the hell,buy it it's a Neumann (not!!) Quality: Quality of build is ok. Compare this mic to the build of a Rode NTK . For 500 dollars you'll get a better built mic,totally serviceable if you have to replace the vacuum tube-just unscrew the bottom half sleeve of mic.You can get at all the components instantly(try this with a tlm103 or a U87I) You got to check this stuff out before you spend the doe!! Value: Totallly overpriced! Manufacturer Support: haven't needed any. The Wow Factor: I own a tlm103,a u87I,a Rode nt1a,and a Rode Ntk. I'm sorry I bought this mic. Overall: I'm dissatisfied.

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Rating And Reviews: Neumann TLM103 Microphone

"Lives up to the reputation!" submitted September 19, 2011

"ITSA NEUMANN, I'm good." submitted February 7, 2008

"A Neumann? You can't miss" submitted January 12, 2004

"I love this mic" submitted February 11, 2006

"Better than my best instrument, and lets me be my own remarkable engineer..." submitted April 12, 2006

"TLM 103 Microphone A/B tests" submitted May 25, 2007

"The Shiz'nit" submitted July 29, 2004

"A Winner!" submitted January 27, 2007

"producer of many." submitted October 16, 2004

Neumann TLM103 Microphone Customer Review submitted April 10, 2006

Neumann TLM103 Microphone Customer Review submitted July 26, 2011

"This has to be the modern classic mic for Neumann. It sounds Beautiful." submitted April 26, 2006

"DON'T BE FOOLED BY THE NEUMANN LOGO!!!!!!!!!" submitted March 19, 2005

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