Neumann TLM 103 Microphone Black

Ok, I didn’t spend thousands but I definitely made an investment in my art and myself. This mic has been a dream of mine and it’s versatility to giving clarity on vocals is everything I have wanted ! To be able to hear crisp vocals recorded to be able to perfect my recording voice for my own music and to use as a vocal mic to record my voice reading for Audible, I am in my happy place having made this purchase for where I am in my journey as a home recording artist.Thank you American Musical Supply again, for making it possible for me to afford to buy my equipment over time ! Your customer service was also outstanding when I had a delivery issue with my Breedlove 12 string and you shipped out a new one right away. I also still have and use the Kurzweil PC2x, the ... MoreOk, I didn’t spend thousands but I definitely made an investment in my art and myself. This mic has been a dream of mine and it’s versatility to giving clarity on vocals is everything I have wanted ! To be able to hear crisp vocals recorded to be able to perfect my recording voice for my own music and to use as a vocal mic to record my voice reading for Audible, I am in my happy place having made this purchase for where I am in my journey as a home recording artist.Thank you American Musical Supply again, for making it possible for me to afford to buy my equipment over time ! Your customer service was also outstanding when I had a delivery issue with my Breedlove 12 string and you shipped out a new one right away. I also still have and use the Kurzweil PC2x, the Yamaha Motif and the monitor speakers I bought from you quite a few many years ago.Looking forward to continuing to be a valuable customer, and I always recommend AMS whenever I can.

If you go to certain sites that shall remain nameless, you would think this is the worst microphone of all time. I don’t get it and I never will. Was my first nice mic in 1999 and this mic continues to amaze me.The lowest noise you will ever hear. Super dynamic. Sounds amazing. It needs the correct preamp (Rupert Neve Designs 511 or any of the portico line is a great place to start- they sell those here). It has a huge proximity effect so mic placement is paramount to good results. I think that’s why a lot of people don’t like this mic. It requires a little effort to find optimal placement.If you hate this mic, you’re just a lazy engineer and that’s all there is to it. Find the sweet spot and it’s golden on more than it isn’t. U87ish sounds at a fraction of the ... MoreIf you go to certain sites that shall remain nameless, you would think this is the worst microphone of all time. I don’t get it and I never will. Was my first nice mic in 1999 and this mic continues to amaze me.The lowest noise you will ever hear. Super dynamic. Sounds amazing. It needs the correct preamp (Rupert Neve Designs 511 or any of the portico line is a great place to start- they sell those here). It has a huge proximity effect so mic placement is paramount to good results. I think that’s why a lot of people don’t like this mic. It requires a little effort to find optimal placement.If you hate this mic, you’re just a lazy engineer and that’s all there is to it. Find the sweet spot and it’s golden on more than it isn’t. U87ish sounds at a fraction of the price.Fantastic on vocals of all flavors (hint- give the capsule some room!). Unbelievable as drum overheads and room on drums. Not my fav on acoustic guitars but certainly acceptable.One thing I don’t hear mentioned enough about this mic is how it stacks! Among the best I have ever heard stacking guitar amps or backing or lead vocals.Takes EQ phenomenally well.

Good vocal mic, but not for everyone

This is obviously a good vocal mic as it is highly regarded and a modern classic. However, it's not a one size fits all as most all mics are not. This is not overall bright as others have mentioned. With eq you can give it a more modern sound, but if you want something bright with a nice top end from the start you may need to look elsewhere. Overall a good mic though for the price.

Great mic

I don't know how this mic made it to SDOD (actually SDOH), but what an incredible bargain! I wish I would have bought another one at that price.Pair it up with a good preamp and an interface with a good DA/AD converter and you won't be sorry. I have it going into a SSL VHD pre --> UAD Apollo Twin --> PC, and it just sounds amazing, so crisp and clear. So far have only used it on vox but that is what I bought it for. I had been researching for a good vocal mic for quite a while, so I was ready to pull the trigger when I saw it on SDOH.

It really is that good.

I debated this purchase for weeks, but I was tired of messing around with other mics for years, and spending so much time EQ'ing and post processing them to get professional results. I am now extremely glad I bought it and would do so again.Pros:- Jaw-dropping clear and detailed sound.- Dead-quiet, practically zero self-noise.- Very sensitive, but somehow it rejects stray background noise better than my other cheaper condenser. With the levels set properly, and getting somewhat close to this mic (but where it still sounds great), it rejects stray background noise almost as well as my SM7B.- Vocals in particular sound amazing through this mic. I was reluctant because some reviews said it was too bright or sibilant. Not at all for my voice. The tonality has a ... MoreI debated this purchase for weeks, but I was tired of messing around with other mics for years, and spending so much time EQ'ing and post processing them to get professional results. I am now extremely glad I bought it and would do so again.Pros:- Jaw-dropping clear and detailed sound.- Dead-quiet, practically zero self-noise.- Very sensitive, but somehow it rejects stray background noise better than my other cheaper condenser. With the levels set properly, and getting somewhat close to this mic (but where it still sounds great), it rejects stray background noise almost as well as my SM7B.- Vocals in particular sound amazing through this mic. I was reluctant because some reviews said it was too bright or sibilant. Not at all for my voice. The tonality has a similar richness and warmth as my SM7B, but with a lot more high-frequency detail, and smooth but crisp transients. Simply put, this sounds every bit like a pro studio mic.- The presence lift in the highest frequencies gives the mic a beautiful "air"/sparkle, which makes EQ'ing it for a mix a breeze. It's very typical to boost those frequencies with EQ after the fact to make a vocal pop, but this mic does it on its own straight from the source. You can always EQ out detail if you don't want/need it... but it's hard to add back if it's not there.- It's a beautiful mic and the build quality is everything you'd expect from a Neumann. Comes in a nice wooden case and has a solid heft to it.- It sounds fantastic for singing vocals, but if you're into VO work, it also has a beautiful proximity effect warmth when you get in close to it. The sound thickens up without any boominess or muddiness. It just gets fatter and warmer but retains all the crispness and sparkle.Cons:- Price. But you get what you pay for in this case. If you're tired of messing around trying to get your vocal recordings sounding professional and polished, even after you've already got a good pre-amp and lots of experience with compression, EQ, reverb, etc... this mic will likely get you the rest of the way there. And, it's an investment you will use for many years.

It's great and so is B&H

First a comment about B&H - this was my first purchase with them and I couldn't be happier with their professionalism and excellent customer service. Now as for the mic - it wins my WOW factor award. I was flip flopping between the 102 and the 103. I read reviews and watched comparison videos. I mainly was in the market for a great vocal mic for recording. I first opted for the 102 mainly to save some money. I thought it was real good but I was still curious about the 103 so I called B&H and asked about their return policy. Based on that discussion, I bought a 103. When it arrived, I still had the 102 and was able to compare the two mics myself. Hands down winner - the 103. Richer and vibrant. So I returned the 102. If I was in a position to keep both, I would have ... MoreFirst a comment about B&H - this was my first purchase with them and I couldn't be happier with their professionalism and excellent customer service. Now as for the mic - it wins my WOW factor award. I was flip flopping between the 102 and the 103. I read reviews and watched comparison videos. I mainly was in the market for a great vocal mic for recording. I first opted for the 102 mainly to save some money. I thought it was real good but I was still curious about the 103 so I called B&H and asked about their return policy. Based on that discussion, I bought a 103. When it arrived, I still had the 102 and was able to compare the two mics myself. Hands down winner - the 103. Richer and vibrant. So I returned the 102. If I was in a position to keep both, I would have because I would use the 102 for recording guitar amps among other things. Some day, I'll buy a 102. But for vocal recording, OMG, the 103!!! And like I said at the beginning, B&H has awesome customer service. Plus the payboo card saves sales tax. I'll be a repeat customer for sure.

Perfection

No one needs to sell the Neumann TLM 103. It's the best of the best, next to the U87 (which is just too expensive for us mere mortals).The TLM 103 is the last microphone a Voice Actor or Singer will ever need to buy. It lives up to the hype. The brand shock mount it comes with is a perfect addition. The case was unnecessary and overkill, but maybe it'll be of use one day.If you're on the fence about mics, just buy this one. You won't ever need another.

The Perfect Mic for Voice-Over

This is the perfect mic for voice-over. It's crystal clear and warm for female voices. At least with my tonal voice, it fits me just right. I was debating about going cheaper when it came down to choosing my first XLR mic but these days if you want to be competitive in this crowded industry - there's nothing wrong with upgrading to one of the best mics in the voice-over industry. You won't be disappointed when you buy this mic. I certainly have no regrets! I love my TLM 103 and I'm never going back to my old USB mic ever again.