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

Product Information

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 capsule and the entire internal construction is elastically mounted so that the frequency response can reach 20Hz without colouration. The TLM 103 is therefore more sensitive to vibration and wind noise, so the use of good mounts and pop shields is recommended. The TLM 107 is the new innovative kid in the family and has some rather jazzy options. It sports a softer more rounded look than the traditional Neumann, slightly aping the look of the classic M49, and measures 14.5cm, with a diameter of 6.5cm. The weight is very similar to a TLM 103 at 445g. Its price is reasonable with high quality, including all the demanding applications from home recording to professional broadcasting and commercial recording studios. Compared side‑by‑side with a standard U87, which had enjoyed a typically varied life, I preferred the brand‑new TLM103 with its slight edge in terms of clarity and subtlety. However, the two mics exhibited very similar characters indeed, and I would be inclined to put the few small differences down to the age gap between them rather than anything more fundamental. Final Opinion The 103 is also more sensitive than the 102, with a max SPL of 144 dB compared to 138 dB for the 102. That could be because of the size and capsule differences.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. As a member of Neumann’s TLM series, the TLM 103 works with a transformerless output stage, which minimizes transmission losses and ensures a very immediate, uncolored sound, true to the original, as well as a clear, powerful bass response, even at highest signal levels. Applications Now, Cardioid is probably one of the most popular uses of a Neumann mic, but still, that's quite a limitation. It pretty much means that it's best for vocals.

I also recorded my AKG 414 B-ULS (in cardioid) as a reference (my standard in-house microphone here at Mikerophonics), as it is a very well known sound to many.The TLM 103 is part of the FET 100 series of condenser microphones from Neumann. “TLM” stands for “transformerless microphone”. Unlike the legendary U87, the TLM 103 uses an electronic circuit rather than the usual output transformer. Due to the universal cardioid pattern, straightforward handling, extremely low self-noise level, the TLM 103 is predestined for all demanding applications from home recording to professional broadcasting and commercial recording studios. You can be sure that any noise you hear through this mic is either coming from the source or your mic pre." The self noise is 10 dB-A and the Max SPL is 141dB SPL with only 0.5% THD, but can be increased to 153 dB SPL with -12dB pre attenuation (I suspect your Trumpet player will asphyxiate and implode before that kind of SPL!). Much like transformers, the electronic circuit ensures a high level of purity within the audio signal, reducing electromagnetic interference that can degrade the signal. The transformerless design of the TLM 103 also helps result in highly accurate low frequencies and spares this microphone from the core saturation that the transformer based microphones experience.

The TLM 107 is different from the TLM 102 and 103 in that it is a multi pattern pressure gradient dual diaphragm transducer. It features the standard omni, cardioid and figure of eight patterns, but also the in between patterns of wide-angle cardioid, and hypercardioid. It’s the first Neumann microphone with an edge terminated capsule (like an AKG 414), which apparently reduces the sensitivity to dust and humidity and can increase diaphragm life. Therefore, the microphone maintains an excellent impulse response and reproduces the finest details of music and speech without coloration. If you have one or two of these around they will see use unless you could choose a version higherup in the neumann catalog then why not , but you can get along with great results if used on the right sources. David Hamilton-Smith (of Olympic Studios fame) – multi gold disc award wining recording engineer/mixer for Andrew Lloyd WebberThe noise floor is incredibly low. Dry vocals and guitar (un-chained, no EQ, no compression) are wildly clean. Even if you own a U87ai and/or a Sony C800g, this mic holds its own and is worthy in a professional studio. It's no wonder why so many major names in the industry utilize it. It's also worth noting that this kind of condenser microphone requires to have a nice room, or at least a reflection filter of some kind. I doubt the TLM-103 would sound good in a poorly treated bedroom. The TLM 103 has set new standards for technical performance, too. With an incredibly low self-noise of only 7 dB-A , it is among the quietest microphones available. And its high sensitivity of 23 mV/Pa, ensures ultra low noise even with budget preamps and audio interfaces or vintage tube equipment. At the same time, the TLM 103 can handle enormous sound pressure levels of up to 138 dB without the need for preattenuation. Its vast dynamic range of 131 dB makes the TLM 103 a very easy to use studio microphone as it will capture anything from a soft whisper to a thunderous bass drum without adding noise or distortion. It delivers uncompromised professional sound for home studio projects with a nice preamp and excellent digital audio converters. It produces seamless and flawless sound with pristine clarity as it has a transformerless design. To avoid noise, the internal structure is developed with elastic mounts to alleviate any other noise that can bother TLM 103. The idea is to the model perfect with sound clarity.

I have one of the early units from the 90s it sounds great even when compared to much more expensive mics. The frequency range reaches below 20 Hz; even very low bass signals are reproduced without coloration. It has a high SPL of 138 DB, so it can handle even the loudest singers yelling directly into it. That said, it is not exactly the same. Like all things with microphones, we’re talking about subtleties. I found the results of the U87 to be a little more transparent and a just a bit more ready-to-go than those from the TLM 103. Ask anyone involved in sound recording to name a mic manufacturer off the top of their head, and the chances are they will say "Neumann". If you then ask for a model number, the reply will probably be "U87". There can be few commercial studios in the world without at least a couple of U87s to their name, along with perhaps several other Neumann models, and it is the one microphone that almost everyone can identify immediately from its slightly conical body and wedge‑shaped grille (see the box on the U87 elsewhere in this article for more details). It's worth noting that TLM mics don't have the same amount of low-end as some other Neumanns. Both models begin to cut off around 70 Hz, but the 102 is noticeably more extreme in this regard.

Neumann TLM 103 Condenser Microphone, Nickel Overview

Bought this mic in 1998 and it came in a nice wooden box with the Neuman Logo and a adapter for the stands. I love these nice details, nothing like a wooden box to impale a sense of greatness to a mic 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.