Background:

I track vocals at home and send them to get mixed and mastered. I had an AKG C214, which I still own, but felt like I couldn't get close to the quality I was getting from going to an actual studio. After months of watching video reviews and reading up on the mic and also using it in a studio I decided to make the investment.

My bedroom is semi treated. My engineer made 3 big acoustic panels, purchased an area rug, and I added some foam to the walls behind my monitors.

My vocal chain is TLM 103 to a Volt 176 and my MacBook Pro. My engineer sent me a preset made out of one of my past studio sessions with him. Everyone I've showed these vocals with my preset to think I've recorded them in a studio and not at home. I am impressed with this mic. I feel like it has been the best investment I've ever made. I will be traveling and will be using this set up on the go as well.

The guys at SweetWater were great! TJ is the man! Look forward to continue to get my gear from SweetWater!

When I spend over a grand for a microphone I expect it to actually fit the mount that it comes with, not wobble all over the place. Seriously how does a microphone not come with the right sized parts?? But I guess I need to spend another on a different mic stand, on a mic mount that actually fits, and on a pop filter because it still sounds like a tin can when I talk too close to the mic. It sounds the exact same as microphones I've bought for well under $ and I promise any non-professional won't be able to tell the difference between this and any other mic

Doesn't sound any different than my cheaper mics. Doesn't screw snugly into the screw socket of the mic. Still pops when the voiceover is too close to the mic. Need to spend another few hundred just to get a mic stand that even holds this thing. Not worth it

Ive been looking for the right mic for my voice in my humble home studio for a long time, and I may have finally found it. Ive tried a lot of cheaper condensers, but they just were not right. Lately ive been playing with higher-end dynamics (sm7b, re20, pr40) and while these are all great mics that I will not be getting rid of anytime soon, the tlm 103 is just different.

If I were to start over, I would get a 103 from the get go.

This mic has a Neumann quality that every body loves but it's a bit sibilance ssss is just the only thing that i hope Neumann will improve it

Once you plug in there is no natural vocal or acoustic sound , it has now become electricity, so we pick the sound of the electricity we like .
For me it is the TLM 103 .
Of course the physical room , preamp and the rest of the chain contribute.
But so far to me it's the mic .

This mic into an inexpensive zoom field recorder is is prolly enough for all the tracking youtube univers raw .
And with a little post fixes as good as anything recorded in the 70s
...a

This mic is honest--it captures my exact performance and delivers it perfectly to my DAW--warts and all. Some may want a little help covering up flaws or smoothing high/low end, but when you're in the voice-over industry, honesty is best. We let the engineers play with EQ. This mic is requested by many studios, and will help me stay competitive when working remotely, satisfying everyone involved! I love it!

If you search online, you will find a lot of ho-hum discussions about this mic. Unless you are a serious engineer who is incredibly scrutinizing of every frequency that comes into your soundboard, you don't need to pay any attention to those reviews. I've been using an Ear Trumpet Mabel for most of my recent vocal and drum mic'ing at home, and this thing has changed my entire perspective on condenser mics. The ETL Mabel is a similarly priced mic and, in my opinion, performs and responds very well, but the TLM 103 is blowing my mind. To be fair, this is my first Neumann mic, and also the first mic in this price range other than the ETLs I own. But seriously, I'm plugging this thing straight into a TASCAM Model 12 and I'm speechless. It's just incredible compared to what I'm used to. I know there are more experienced gearheads out there who probably think this thing is a good middle shelf mic, but if you're at all serious about your home recordings, and you're thinking about buying a condenser that's a few hundred dollars cheaper than this just for the price break: DON'T. Just save up the extra cash and get one of these. You will NOT be disappointed. I am a changed man.

The perfect Mic for V/O and Music! Worth it!!

I have tried a ton of major name microphones under the $ price range. I have tried to get this sound for years by being cheap but splurged and got the 103. With a neve like pre amp is smooth as silk, a major upgrade and professional tone. If you can't sound good with this mic you should just give up on music.

First and foremost, this mic is amazing. If you record material where you need an upfront and present vocal, this is one of the best additions to your chain. The midrange is creamy and wide, extremely similar to it's older brother, the U87. The biggest difference comes in the way it presents everything above 3khz, and that is where it loses a half star IMO.

If you are looking to upgrade from something like an Audio Technica 4040, the 103 is a great choice. You will get much richer tones from any source, with a lot more depth to the signal itself. It handles processing extremely well, both digital and analog. Do yourself a favor and grab a good preamp with the 103 to REALLY let its tone shine. I'm a big fan of 73 based circuits with it.

Now, why did I say it loses half a star because of the >3khz presentation? It comes down to post processing, and how I've had to modify my vocal chain. This mic is definitely brighter than a U87, which could be seen as a benefit to those who don't do as much processing for vocals. It CAN make your life easier getting an airy, crispy mix. However, if you are like me and use outboard EQ's, that high end can easily become shrill and annoying.

To fix this issue, I have attenuated the high end on my preamps EQ by about -2db. This brings its sonic character much more inline with the U87, while still retaining the smooth top end it has. This lets my push my other gear way harder, and end up with a much more pleasant sound that doesn't pierce your ears.

Overall, this mic is a banger. I've used it on everything from pop, to country, to rap. It will be staying in the locker (and in the booth) for many years to come. Hands down one of the best cost to performance values on the market.

I have owned this mic for over 10 years now and there just one thing to say about it.

Its Awesome !

Mic: TLM 103
Interface: Universal Audio Apollo Twin

Honestly, just wow…

I have several large diaphragm condensers from SE and Blue as well as various Shure dynamic mics. I needed a professional quality mic for vocals, guitar and violin so that I could record at home and send to studio for mastering. The TLM 103 was a major upgrade. I asked some top tier engineers and researched lots on my own before purchase, as well as considered the U87ai instead. I am glad I went with the 103. Side note, I watched a few YouTubers trying to compare this mic and U87ai with lower end Blue Microphones and other condensers - I'm sorry, but there is no comparison. This mic is amazing, coupled with a very fair price.

The 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.

Hush the haters - if you're considering this mic don't second guess yourself. You won't regret it.

You've heard it all before, it's a Neumann! Can't believe that some people, actually say negative things about this mic, sure it can be bright at times, depending on the vocalist.. But, if you actually know what you are doing, plus plug this into a great external preamp, to add some awesome color, something like a BAE 1073, that's when this mic really starts to shine! Absolutely loving my purchase, and would certainly recommend to any serious Pro, or even home recording studio, that needs that neumann sound!

TLM103 does the bright modern sound very well. It has a wide boost instead of a peaky boost like a lot of cheaper mics, so the top end is actually smooth even though it is boosted quite a bit compared to other mics. It sits in a modern mix with little effort, and if you need the mic to sound darker, just use EQ to roll off some top end. Highly recommend using this with a high quality recording chain, not an interface (unless it's a UAD Apollo series).

Upgraded from my Rode NT1A and it's a world of difference. That should be expected jumping from a $200 mic to this but I couldn't believe my ears. Even without any vox effects- it's crisp and clear. Accurate but not a harsh highs, solid mid-range and well produced lows. Definitely a keeper.

Caution. After you receive this mic ensure and test that your mic cable does click/lock into the tlm 103. Unfortunately I didn't realize this until the return period expired. I only learned this when I decided to upgrade my mic cable. Now I have to ship it off and who knows what will happen.

I own the TLM102 too. Its great and really turned the tide for acoustic needs in my humble studio. Used it for a couple of years. I now have the TLM103. It really is a tremendous mic. The 102 can have rumble issues even with the shockmount which I have. I have the 103 going through a Retro Sta level and a Pultec EQ. The 103 is whisper quiet to a surprising level. Its in the mix though where I'm knocked out. I use it for Acoustic guitars and Mandolins. In the mix the lows are tremendous. The presence and cut... I'm blown away at its sound. Reading how everyone hates it on gearspace, I knew it would be a clear winner in real life. I was right. Cannot recommend enough. Once again I ordered on a Monday and Sweetwater had it to me the next day. How can you ask for more?

Okay so I started out with a 103 about 2 years ago and always wanted a u87. Owned a u87ai the last year and after tons of recordings on the road and in houses I prefer this. I have ran both through high end pre's and I just love the 103. I can't really explain it, just seems like it may be a little warmer but maybe not as detailed it still has that expensive Neumann vibe. The low noise might have something to do with it, the 87 can tend to pick up the room in bedrooms. I record a lot on vacations and in-home appointments. Paired with my ua610 and tube tech I'll be good to go. $ less too.

This is a great mic for vocals, not for every vocal, but a good mic for the price. Not overall bright as others have said. It is bright, but not as modern sounding as I'd like. With the right eq settings it can sound more modern, but if you want something to sound modern, bright and not harsh try a Manley Reference C. Especially for pop and rap vocals.

I mainly record Sax in my home studio, I have been using the AKG C414 XLS II that BTW is a fantastic Mic as well but after buying the TLM 103 to add to my Mic collection it became my one mic now, absolutely a great mic, warm, clear, smooth like velvet. I`m very happy with this thing and it`s Neumann quality not just the name.

I've been using my 103 for around 5 years now as my main vocal and workhouse microphone. It is by far the best microphone you can get for $. I HIGHLY recommend a good preamp for it (I've been using my neve 511 and BAE 1073) to give it some color to really make the 103 shine. There's a reason this was the main microphone used on the album that won the most Grammys in 2020.

One thing you should know is that this microphone is VERY sensitive. If you're recording in a place with a lot of street noise or a room where there will be a lot of reflections, this mic might not be for you.

We tracked an entire album using this mic on female vocal through UA6176 and that was a solid combo. We track 3 mics at the same time for reference (RE20 and SM7), this one always "won" during mix down. It just had the most natural and impactful result on the TLM103. Lucy Lowis' album, Seventh Cycle Soul, tracked all lead vocals on TLM103 for reference. Lucy tended to like the sound of the RE20 for monitoring during tracking, but the TLM103 was used without exception on final mixes.
We also used this mic for acoustic guitar tracking. It is a very sensitive mic and if you have a non-treated room this mic will pick up all ambient sounds (floor creaks, reflections, etc), you WILL hear it. So - if you don't have an acoustically treated room, another mic may be a better choice. I'd recommend it, and plan to continue to use as one of our "go to" mics.

The TLM 103 is a staple microphone in a ton of studios for a reason. Using mine for voice over out of my home studio and the sound is always crisp and warm. That being said, this mic definitely has a bright tone, which I've found isn't very complimentary to my voice, but you can sort of bypass this by playing with some proximity effect. Picks up every single sound coming out of my mouth without picking up any outside noise so I've had to start being extremely careful about mouth clicks and underlying lower sounds from the back of my throat when I speak. This mic is also pretty sensitive to plosives given its size and build so a pop filter and a bit of tilt on the mic positioning is a must, specifically when yelling.

I have been using Nuemanns since 1972, U47s (Tube and FET), U87s (old and new Ai), KM84s, 54s, etc. in many studios from Manhattan and White Plains to OK City, to Phoenix and Tucson, to California. I have also had an original Tele ELA-M 250 (was not mine) that Telefunken USA said was hands down the best one they had ever heard - worth around $25K to $30K. I've heard good mics, and great mics. I won't call the TLM an Amazing mic - but I will call it a very good one - and considering it's cost it's a fine choice. To my ear it's not as good as an original KM84 (I have access to 3) - but not many mics are. It softens things in a sweet way - and is very quiet. It's one of my first choices for acoustic guitar, and violin, also Female Vocals. Also, sounds good on Choir Recordings. In Large Live PA Systems it's a superb mic on Acoustic Grand Piano. I have had so many Pianists ask me what mic I had on the piano, absolutely loving it - one person said that it was the closest sound to Elton John he had ever heard. Many Pianists have gone on to purchase their own TLM103s because of this. I have used this mic on many, many Brass Section recordings for Pop and Gospel Records. This mic can easily handle the level of some very robust Trumpet Players and has been within 15 to 18 inches from the Horn without folding. I bought my first pair back in 1997 and they have never failed. They are really well made - and I have since obtained some more of these mics. 2 Thumbs Up.

I've been recording for about 4 decades.

Now days, my wife does professional Voice Over work from our home, in a very remote area of Canada.

She decided to check out the TLM 103, even though she already had a great sounding large diaphragm condenser.
She has a really quiet booth, so we were eager to find out if we could hear a difference. She's used a few mics in her room over the years, including other Neumanns.

This this is insanely quiet. I'm not aware of any mic out there with a lower 'self noise' - much lower than even a U87 costing a couple of grand more.

It's truly a brilliant, clean, full sounding scientific instrument. For the price - I'm not aware of anything else that even comes close.
For those people who still think you can spend 90% less and get the same sound from a mic made in a factory in China - think again.
Go and rent one of these and do a side by side shootout in your studio. You'll hear why a mic made by hand in Germany costs so much.

Keep in mind, they've been doing this for decades - everything else is just a cheap knock off, from some parasites.
If you're a pro - go the distance and get one of these.

Keep in mind - being that my wife is a very well paid, full time Voice Over artist, she is highly discriminating. If you are recording an instrument or voice which will be masked by other production elements, it may not be so critical to have a mic this quiet or accurate.

Neumann Microphones speak for themselves. This microphone sounds amazing on vocals, rap especially. It has a slight bump in the mid range which I find helps the vocals sit well in the mix. It really brings out the clarity in the voice, matched with a good mic pre (in my case I used a UA 710 tube/optical pre) and some good A/D converters (if recording to a DAW), you've got a professional, crisp, clean sound for a low price compared to other "pro" microphones .Highly recommend. I have also tried it out on an acoustic guitar, which really brought some warm and detail to it. The only other thing I have recorded with it is over heads, which wasn't my personal TLM 103 that I bought, but a stereo pair my job has, and it worked well with that application as well. 4.5/5 is my rating, only because I don't like to oversell products, unless I'm absolutely blown away. I haven't had a bad experience with it yet. Hope this helped.

great microphone for acoustic guitars! This large diaphragm mic makes everything sound big and adds all the overtones and harmonics of your instrument
Highly recommended

According to the Neumann website this mic was launched in 1997. I bought mine in 2001. I've had a "love/not_so_much_love relationship with this mic since I owned it. From the beginning I thought it was a bit to "bright" for vocals. I've used it substantially on acoustic guitar. It's not great for guitar cabs, bass or drums (close mic'd) because there's no pad switch. If you look at the frequency response of the mic you'll see about a 4dB rise at around 7K all the way to 15K before it rolls off. Hence the reason it's "bright". (I'll add it has some massive bottom end too!!!). So, I've opted for other mics over these years for vocals. Now and again I'd break it out for a male vocalist but I just couldn't get used to it as a dedicated vocal mic. That is UNTIL I paired it with a Universal Audio LA610! After reading the plethora of "no-love" forum posts because of it being "too bright" or "too sibilant", I tried some drastic stuff with it. On the 610 I cut 3dB at 7K and 6dB at 200hZ! Yes, ALL subtractive eq! My reasoning was the hump at 7K (to tame the sibilance territory) and the lack of a low-cut filter on the mic (massive bottom end!!). All I can say is "wow"! I have a new vocal mic in my locker! If you have these two pieces of gear I'd encourage you to try it! But... at the end of the day it's a Neumann. It's a well-made mic and can be made to sound as pro as it's meant to be. Just may not be the best choice for some situations.

I do audio books and some other VO work from my home studio and have been using at AT 2035, which was the best I could afford at the time.

Saw the TLM 103 on sale and had the money so I said "why not"?

Good decision. Crisp, clear, good bottom end. If you have a studio adequately prepped (acoustic panels, etc.) it's a great choice. I do have to tweak it a little with EQ, but not much - say 2 or 3 db in select areas. It's worth the full price and then some.

This is a definite upgrade to my old (and maybe worn out) AT 4033. I'm an old (56) home hobbyist but have been singing and drumming in local party bands most of my life and got into the home recording studio thing about 20 years ago. But, as many folks like me have experienced, our home recordings just seem to be missing a certain depth and sizzle that the pros get. Well, I decided to try a "pro" mic before I retire from the day job and got the TLM 103 and immediately noticed it got rid of the harshness to my vocals and just seems to add a nice overall tone that needs very little EQ after the fact. But, the sizzle still wasn't quite there so I (gulp) bought a pre-amp for it to get everything one needs to get that pro sound, and yes, I finally have it. My pre-amp is a Universal Audio LA-610 Mk 2, and the combo of the TLM 103 and the 610, make for great depth, sizzle and transparency.

My vocals now sound so good I barely even need reverb/delay and virtually no EQ tweaks. I use Sonar Platinum as my DAW with a Roland Octacapture interface and I used to spend HOURS trying to get the vocal tone better but now I can just record and know the vocal will come out great from the get-go - a real time saver. I haven't tried this on anything other than vocals (and I play guitar, bass and keyboards) but I'm sure this combo will work well on most instruments but the vocals are the one thing I wanted to improve and this mic has done it. I just wish I would have taken the plunge sooner as it really is affordable if you save up and I think one can really get "Pro" sound now for just a few thousand dollars.

FYI - sadly, I don't have any other experience with other "Pro" mics/pre-amps but I'm fairly happy with this purchase and just went with well-known companies. I'm sure there are even better things out there but this fits in my budget and definitely does improve the sound.

I tested 3 mics at my local music store on 2 different pre-amps. The UA 710 Twinfinity preamp and the UA LA610 MkII preamp. I am a home hobbyist and have a medium voice for a male so I wasn't going really high or really low in frequency.

Started with the TLM102. Honestly, I thought it sounded great. I was very happy with it.
Then tried the AKG C414. A little fuller sound maybe but pretty equivalent to the 102. If I had to choose between them, the AKG is more versatile.

I wasn't going to really go for the TLM 103 due to the higher price, but it was there so why not try it? OH.MY.GOSH! It was a whole other league. I felt like I just stepped into the pro mics. The other mics were accurate but this was PRESENT. I mean it made me sound better than I do but didn't seem like it was coloring my voice either.

Neumann TLM103, great mic for classical vocal, acoustic instruments. Special acoustic guitar and sax. Very accurate and transparent.
Special thanks to Nick LaMendola hi made possible to be delivered next day with free charge .
Thank you Nick, thank you Sweetwater !

I bought the 103 and loved the sparkle and full-bodied sound SO much that I 'upgraded to a U87' almost immediately, to get more of the greatness. Preamp is ME-1NV. So, the U87 arrives and it sounded incredibly smooth to me. I was so excited about it and sung for hours. I reviewed the vocal cuts later that day and something felt off about it. It was too smooth, to the point of sounding artificial. Imagine a genuine multi-million dollar watch completely covered with diamonds and everyone just assumes it's a fake! It negates the whole purpose. In the same way, the U87 offers this soft, smooth and dreamy sound and it just sounds like BS. I would recommend it on a girl's voice probably. On mine, the TLM 103 has way more clout and definition, and is more bright in the middle range. Quality is king and I fully expected the U87 to outperform, and to my financial relief, it didn't.

I really get a kick out of the idiots from Gearslutz, who continuously slam the TLM103 and all TLM mics. They think that they can turn people away from this fantastic mic with their lies- maybe because they don't want you to have something great that they use in the studio. It's so obvious that when you A/B this mic against other microphones like the Shure SM7B and Electrovoice RE20 (which are nice microphones), the TLM103 wins out hands down on everything from vocals to acoustic guitar ! I own 2 TLM103's and I own 2 Neumann U87's . There's NOT alot of difference in recordings when running the U87's in cardiod mode ! I've been in the recording industry for 50 years and can tell you that what I say is true. The Neumann TLM series mics have a very low noise floor and GREAT dynamic range,especially for vocals! I would pair this mic with an Avalon VT737 for the best audio quality.

This is a great mic i knocked off a half star for no pads or filters but most good preamps have that already. This is one of the most hated and misunderstood mics around. Why? Because people think just because its a Neumann it will magically shine with a terrible sounding room bad mic placement and budget preamps and headphones.

You need a Universal Audio solo 610 tube preamp or a Warm Audio Tone Beast both great pres overall! don't buy into the hate it does suit some voices and some not so much just like any mic. Great buy i and i love it! Buy the anniversary model with shockmount and case!

Really liking this mic. What ends up on the track is exactly what the room sounds like! Amazing quality as well...Really never liked what I recorded before this mic, but now I'm in Heaven...get one you won't hate it, you'll love it!

Everyone that's recorded their vocals into this mic always asks me what I did to their vocal on playback. They don't believe it's the raw track - it sounds that good! Silky smooth, hot signal, great highs that don't hurt the ears, full bodied - I couldn't ask for more.

Luxury you CAN afford!

The value of this mic is incredible. A capsule derived from the U-87's at 1/3 the cost. No, it's not a U-87 killer, but it's damned close. Silky highs and prominent full sound. It's exceptionally quiet in self-noise and capable of handling loud SPL's. I traded a C-414XLS in to get this mic. The 414 was brittle and sibilant while this is so very smooth. Want my TLM-103?? From my cold dead hands!!

I've been using these mics for many years. The TLM103 does a great job on everything you put in front of it especially acoustic guitar,and vocals. That's why ALL PRO studios have MANY of them. There is no roll-off or Hi Pass Filter on this mic, but when it's used with software programs such as ProTools or Hardware preamps such as an Avalon VT737 they (rolloff and hi pass filter) can be utilized from each. There are alot of recording engineers that use this mic because it has a great sound and because it has no problem with high SPL's. The mic picks up lows and highs amazingly and the middle is neutral. I also use the U87, U87ai,M49 and TLM49. I can say that I like the TLM103 as much and even more than the TLM49 on vocals. The other models are a little better but cost ALOT more.

Exceptional Mic! Very warm, good for recording instruments and very sensitive. Make sure you get one with a shock mount, I didn't and my recordings suffered from mic stand movement.
I bought a pop filter for mine, never tried the specially designed Neumann WS87 windscreen for it, but I still wouldn't recommend. The sound is already warm enough, you wouldn't need a windscreen to dampen it anymore.

I'd been wanting to step up to an excellent condenser mic after many years of recording on a Shure SM7B. I love the Shure, but had been craving the increased detail and richness of a condenser--I do storytelling/narration, so I wanted something that would allow me to be more vocally adventurous.

I narrowed my choices to the 103, the TLM 49, and the Shure KSM 32. I'm fortunate enough to live close to B&H here in NYC, so I went to the store and demo'd all three. I went in expecting to like the TLM 49 the most, but ultimately found the 103 and the 32 to work much better for my voice--I am a somewhat tenor-y male. Both the 103 and the 32 provided much more clarity and detail for me, and in the end I decided to go with the 103 for it's superior richness and sparkle. Don't get me wrong, the 32 sounded great, but it just seemed boring and dull compared side-by-side with the 103.

I then ordered the mic from Sweetwater (can't say enough about their excellent customer service), and have been working with it the last few days paired with a Grace m101 pre. I continue to be thrilled with the specificity and detail I'm able to get out of the mic that simply wasn't there with the SM7B, and also find it to be extraordinarily versatile--it responds well to every EQ/compressor setting I've thrown at it. The central tonal quality is irrepressible.

My only note of caution would be to keep in mind that it's a hyper-sensitive mic, and while I'm satisfied with the recordings I've been able to make thus far, it really exposes any weaknesses in your room's set-up. Even in my office with the door shut on the sixth floor, I can hear the cat meowing two rooms away, the clink of a fork on a plate in the kitchen, and cars passing on the street below. That's actually a testament to the quality of the mic I suppose, but something to keep in mind before you spend the money.

All in all, I'm very pleased with this mic and look forward to continuing to master it.

I been looking for the magic bullet of microphone's for quite sometime. The moment I tried this microphone I fell in love. The warmth is present, the high end is clean but not harsh and the voice is captured true and natural. The TLM 103 is well woth the investment.

Now I known what my studio has been missing...you should not record vocals without this mic.

Mic is great. If it sounds bad don't blame the Neumann. I work professionally in the recording industry and I've never been disappointed when I've thrown this mic on a vocal or instrument.

This mic IS THE TRUTH. I own a studio in Clifton NJ. I heard great reviews on the mic and I couldn't be any happier. I run it with a Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 mic pre and its clarity could almost bring a tear to your eye, well worth the money.

My go-to mic now for vocals. It's also quite sweet on acoustic guitar. Very warm and loves my Digitech VTP-1 preamp. The only reason it doesn't get five stars is the lack of a pad - although it's rated at 138 dB SPL.. I've heard others complain that the mids are harsh, but that's not been my experience at all.. I suspect it's their preamp/monitor set up. In any case, you get the Neumann name and sound for a very reasonable price. I'd buy another with no reservations.

I've been building a home recording studio, did the research, and was super excited to get my hands on this mic. I bought it and was EXTREMELY disappointed with its sound. My Shure SM57 sounded just as good if not better on vocals. Why? Because through low end to average preamps this thing sounds no better than a 57.

Months later I bought a Daking Mic Pre One and this mic literally transformed into a golden goddess of audio pleasure before my ears.

The TLM 103 NEEDS a good to great preamp to play with before it becomes useful at all (not quite true.. I still plug it into my Behringer Tube Pres from time to time for drum overheads = not bad).

I bought this mic thinking that I was FINALLY getting a THAT Neumann sound. Well, I was wrong. There are at least 10 other mics in this price range that absolutely clean the floor with this mic. It is harsh and brittle in the high end. Sounds incredibly thin on female vocals and barely usable on most vocals in general. Gritty and harsh on acoustic guitar, I sold mine 2 months after buying it. Disappointing.

The TLM 103 is remarkable. I’ve used it on alto saxophone, upright bass, female vocals, male spoken word, a Steinway piano, an acoustic nylon string guitar, a clarinet, and a toy accordion. In every instance, the sound lept out in the mix with clarity and life. I often pair it with a UA Solo/610 Tube Pre for added warmth. What a killer combo. I LOVE this microphone!!

mic is too harsh or too bright..not good to capture the highs on anything..but mic under this price range sound way better than it....don't recommend it...

had a couple of neumanns now(tlm 49 and the 103)i must say i like this 103 better for vocals sounds real good well at least on my voice

this is a must have microphone, it sounds perfect, just like a very expensive tube mic. especially if u use it with a solo 610 tube pre amp from Universal Audio.

Absolutely incredible sound. Be ready to be blown away by this mic. I use it for vocals and guitars, sound is incredible. I have owned mine for 5 years now and have not had one problem.

Gearfolks poke fun at the TLM 103 and say it's like buying a huge diamond with poor clarity and color, but when you've spent $4k on a vintage mic, any legitimate competition from a sub-$1k piece will make you break out in hives. I've used this thing with fantastic success on a rapper with overly sibilant Ts and Ssses and on a nylon-stringed guitar with very dull strings. Ignore the jealous vintage guys and just get it. Incredibly versatile mic for the project studio owner!

I use a TLM 103 as our studio's announcer mic.
It's been heard on a slew of national broadcast commercials and radio programs for NPR, BBC and CBC.
Most recently featured on promos for Indiana Jones and will be heard opening the Indy 500 broadcast on ABC. Not the most expensive tool in the rack - but you never have to apologize for using a mic this good.

beyonce and justin timberlake use this. granted they have probably the best mic chain ever (neve pres, la-2a compression) but u can start with the same mic and created ur own awesome mic chain. just buy the mic.

I've owned my TLM for seven years and have used it on hundreds of acoustic guitar and vocal sessions. I also rely on David Royer’s unparalleled Mojave Audio MA-200, AKG and Rode mics. I must say that I love Neumann, in particular the TLM-103. I find it fascinating how lower-priced gear can alter someone’s objectivity. I advocate rejoicing at the luxury of this price and then let your ears be the judge. If it were four grand, everyone would be enthralled and impressed because it’s a Neumann. It’s amazing how the price can play with your head, yet this mic is not what I consider inexpensive simply because it’s under a grand. It’s a great mic. I’m proud to own one and am grateful that I got mine for less than a thousand. I feel proficient knowing that I’ve done so and try to place my efforts into talent and capturing the moment more than unnecessarily depleting my savings. I’m not George Martin producing Paul McCartney, but I sure have gotten some sweet recordings using the TLM and nobody knew the distinction until now. Go for it!

I have had TLM 103 for about 7 years now, great mic. It will do just about anything well. Well worth the money. I think that any mic that would honestly earn 5 stars (if such thing exists) would cost many times more than the TLM 103.

The absolute only reason that these don't get a 5 is because they lack the 'industry standard' reputaton of the U87. These mics are amazing, I use a pair for drum overheads and then pull them down to use on guitar cabs! So versatile, so clean, just some solid Neumanns for a grand a piece!