Neumann TLM 102 (Nickel) Reviews

David F.
from Cleveland, TN
February 27, 2012Music Background:
Music Producer and Musician

It's A Neumann!

This is the smoothest mic that I have bought - I loved my blue microphones before but this has a silky smooth tone. Warm for very great vocals. This mic makes a difference. I have better equipment now but the mic sits and everyone asks - is that a neumann. That makes a difference in a commercial studio in addition to the sound that you are getting from it.

Reggie Braxton
from Silver Spring, MD
September 27, 2011Music Background:
Pro Musician/Producer

Neumann TKM 102

As a sax player, this is a great mic for under the $1000 range. It gives that warm sound I've been looking for.

TM
from
June 19, 2011

Little mic with a big heart

I own a fair amount of good quality mics, many costing more, many costing less. I've used far more than I own. So I'd like to consider myself a good judge of microphones. I take everything into account; application, cost, ease of use, etc. So I put this up against my Rode K2, which I've always loved and still would recommend to anyone. Its also the same price as the TLM102. The 102 is noticeably smoother. There's something about it that just makes you want to keep listening to it. The K2 I believe was designed to sound just like a U47, don't believe me? Go compare their response charts. There is definitely more presence in the K2 than the 102. But the lack of "crisp" in the mic is not a deficiency IMHO, I would just call it pleasingly "mello". Like a piano with the lid shut, its a different experience, doesn't make it bad. I know a lot of people love it on acoustic guitars, but I wasn't a fan, but thats completely my preference, I like to have "crisp" acoustics. But on vocals... unbelievable. If all you want to use this for is vocals... its well, well worth it. I can't even describe how much better this is on every voice I tried (admittedly only males at this point) than any other mic in my locker. If I could choose two mics to use on voice for the rest of my life, it'd be this and my SM7. Id be totally fine with that. Now I wouldn't be a very good judge of mics if I didn't tell you what I thought wasn't so great about so... its rejection is awful. Absolutely awful. I would not want to use this in a large room with multiple musicians. And this would not be a good mic for an untreated home studio that has lots of bird or traffic noise. Its a must to have this in a good booth IMHO. But it would probably make an excellent room mic. My drum and piano session are very rare these days, and I only have one of these so I cannot confess one way or the other there.

Matt D
from So Cal
January 3, 2011Music Background:
Song writer, Singer, home/project studio recorder

Wonderful Entry level Neuman Maic

I absolutely love how this mic sounds. I bought this mic a week ago from Sweetwater because I wanted a step up in my recording chain. I was hoping this would live up to the reviews I had read along with my previous experience recording acoustic guitars with my Neuman KM 184.
I just did a little test recording a some vocal takes simultaneously mic'd with the TLM 102 and an SM7B through the same pre's into an ART Pro VLA II level matched with the same compression settings on each channel.
I used to think the vocal, SM7B + Pro VLA seemed to just fit into the overall mix (and it is still pretty sweet) until I heard back the vocals through the same chain with the TLM 102. Wow! It just sounds like a record. While it's not a U87, it still has that nice Neuman vibe that we are all so used to hearing on so many records. I really don't think I'll be reaching for a whole lot of EQ using this mic.
I also tried it as a mid distance mic paired with my KM 184 closer mic'd on an acoustic guitar and it sounds very nice here too.
If you’re looking to get that Neuman vocal sound that people will recognize, at a more home/project studio price, this one is a total winner

Ldozier
from Sherrill, AR
February 25, 2010Music Background:
singer, songwriter, and composer

Tiny Littel Baby Neu, Neu!!!

I bought this mic 2 weeks ago. I had been wanting a Neumann mic forever except I didn't have enough cabbage. Then finally I stumbled across the baby neumann tlm 102 on Sweetwaters website. It was love a first sight and I just had to have it right away. I just decided yesterday to give my tlm 102 to a test run on a tradition gospel song and I was so impressed. The mid range presence was wonderful and it sound fantastic on my vocals. At first I was a little concern about the sound quality due to its price, but once I heared how great the thing sound my worries melted away like ice. This is one of my greatest investments and I thank God for my new baby!!!

Scott
from Dallas, TX
February 24, 2010Music Background:
Producer/Engineer

Great Mic

Let me preface, I expected this to be good, I own a TLM 103 and U87 A, I just didn't expect it to be GREAT. Every bit of the clarity that I'm used to from Neumann without the price tag. It is small, my immediate statement was "LOOK! A baby Neumann!", but the sound quality is great. No complaints here.

Paul
from Hawaii
February 9, 2012Music Background:
Producer, engineer, musician

Great Mic

This is a great piece of equipment. I was hovering in the $200-$250 dollar price point. Even though some consider this mic as "entry level", it was a definite upgrade for my home studio. The mic is very warm. Admittedly, for more "out in front" vocals, I chose my Rode NT1. However, I prefer the tube preamp/analog emulation plug-in sound for my compositions. This mic truly enhances that pathyway/approach and excells in that capacity. Buy it.

Kid Mozes
from Rapid City, SD USA
December 21, 2011

NEUMANN TLM 102 Great for New Musicians

This is a great microphone for a home studio. It has a nice sound as well as a nice affordable price for starting artists.

Stephon
from New York
October 30, 2011Music Background:
Recording Artist & Engineer

A RUNNER UP to The Higher ups

Love this mic with the right preamp you will love this mic .. Only problem it can be a bit muddy on some male vocals .. But still and all its a 4.5 .. A super deal for its price . A must Buy !

Emeka Michael
from Abuja Nigeria
July 27, 2011Music Background:
Live Sound Engineer

Great choice if you dont have a big budget

Smaller than it looks in the picture but incredible value for the money.

Exactly what I was looking for in a low budget microphone.A great mic for both vocals and instruments. Not very far from the U87

Sylvain Lavoie
from Gatineau, Qc., Canada
May 26, 2010Music Background:
Pianist, Keyboardist, Composer, Arranger, Engineer

Clearly a great little mic.

Clear. Very full sounding mic, with a clear upper grab. Not bright at all, in the Presence frequencies per say, but clear in a nicer way. What I like is that the mid frequencies are all well represented and therefore, it is easier to boost or cut with E.Q. This mic captures evenly, and gets a clear signal with vocals with a very nice and smooth articulation. Low noise, low price, very smooth sound ... and the Neumann name ... Well worth it!

David Amaral
from Walpole, MA
June 21, 2012Music Background:
Studio Owner/Producer

smoothness +

The Neumann TLM-102 is very much... a lot of bang for your buck!
I've used it along side 2 industry standards for voice over recording and it's better sounding in every way. Clean, no little digital artifacts and very transparent. Great close up and no coloration. Smooth is the best way to describe this mic.
A perfect way to get Neumann quality at a great price point. Love it.

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