Neumann TLM 103 Large-diaphragm Condenser Microphone - Matte Black Reviews

Love this mic

This is the fullest and smoothest sounding microphone in the world! I can't afford it but I am in the process of selling my organs to pay it off because the sound is worth every penny! If they asked for more I would pay it! Also, if you are thinking of getting the U87 or Lewitt 1040 over this... Don't. The TLM 103 is the best microphone! There is no math or science that exists to put any other mic in or above its place.

Perfect mic. Small but heavy and amazing sound. Picks up anything your ears would. I love how portable it is. I got the shockmount for my home studio. but i leave the one that it comes with in the case which is also amazing because just carrying the case around i have a mic and shockmount in my hands. i dont know what other mic can do that so compactly with such an incredible sound. I would bet if i dropped the case off my roof with the microphone inside all the externals would be completely in tact (obv i wouldnt do that, just for reference as to how well its put together). Sounds amazing crisp neumann handles my lows well and adds a broadcaster touch that i love and can be eqed to your liking in post. some people dont like the boost at 10k, but me as a man with a deep voice (not boasting just saying to give you an idea) i have a good range but i dont get as high as torry lanes so i havent noticed the boost much and or found it bothersome or cool. but i do notice that low presence which is exactly i was looking for. This mic was made for me, it was everything i was looking for to complete my black and red studio it fits the vibe. its versatile, its mobile, its awesome, its asthetic, it models a u87 capsule and sounds very similar to an 87. Which i do plan on purchasing as a birthday or a record sales gift to myself. this is definitely the best thing before that. went back and forth on this mic and the sony c 100 and the Wa 8,000. i eliminated the 8,000 because i didnt want something to warm up as I like to be inspired and record boom. its also not mobile at all, i plan on being on the road as an artist and have presets dedicated to my baby (tlm 103) that i can be anywhere in the world with my laptop and record. but the sony was hard to say no to. i had seen some videos, and it sounded awesome. I own a sony camera and it is awesome. the brand has a great reputation with me. But there was everything saying yes to me about this neumann. if its good enough for 50+ professional musicians i knew i couldnt go wrong. i wanted something with a personality, a little bit of grit and color going through the ranges, i felt that the sony offers a professional studio grade accurate recording, but music is more of a feeling for me and i was banking on the fact that this 103 would compliment my voice and I was right. I think the three mics i contemplated were all wonderful and could see myself investing in all of them at some point to try and possibly keep. but i went with this 103 as a male with a low pitched voice and its been wonderful I cant wait to share my music with the world. Im glad I went for the black. its simply a gorgeous microphone. in my opinion the most gorgeous one for my asthetic. (my la220 is also very beautiful tho)

Having never owned a mic of this quality in my home studio, I was significantly blown away. Now, don't get me wrong, I have used exceptional mics in the pro studios in Hollywood where I spent a good deal of my younger days. But, when I listened back to some vocal takes recently, I was completely shocked. This mic generates extraordinary clarity that you'll hear immediately. When asked by my sales engineer, Erik, what I thought of the mic, all I could say to describe it was 'complete transparency'. I bought this mic for vocals, and I could not be happier. I'm certain there are mics that approximate Neumann's line of mics for less money, but I decided I wanted the quality of the real thing. Cheers!

I've recorded vocals, voice-overs, radio spots, theatre effects, acoustic instruments and for 22 years it has been my go-to microphone for the highest quality in a studio mic. Love it.

I have been using this mic for almost 4 years now. This is very decent mic and it can be used for any genre. I do not have any regrets buying this.

The only pair of mics I use to record my Himalayan singing bowls

I finally upgraded to this mic after years of using shure n blue mics for rap vocals. I wish I would've bought it 10 -20 Years ago. It's completely worth it. Life lesson: If u can't afford mics as artists don't do it. you as a person deserve it and should invest in yourself and the people you are recording.

My first experience recording wit this mic went like this. My friend recorded and sat down n listened after recording and went straight to her wallet to pay me. She was so impressed by the quality. She also recorded a flute next week n it sounded heavenly.
Once again I highly recommend this mic n the ssl +2 which is my Pre amp.

tried to shop on a budget but I wish I had made this decision A LONG time ago! The best for the price and not too much difference from the best mics I've heard. Neumann TLM 103 is the best mic in its price range, hands down...

Just amazing! The sound quality for a booth microphone and many other tasks is extraordinaire. Crispy clean and smooth. I matched the microphone with an apollo twin interface, just the perfect combination. Thank you sweetwater team for all the help and support all along through out decision making and purchase. Beyond satisfied.

Reviews for mics are so hard to write because they can be so subjective. This is my third time owning this mic and it will be the last one I buy specifically for my voice. I have had 49's, 87's and clones but for some reason this one just has everything I am looking for. Going into my 1073 front end it's really hard to beat in this price range.

Using for my ADR. Very clean sound and all the gain and no problems.

If you're looking for a mic that wont cost you $3,000 but still get that quality, you need to look no further! The entire frequency range in this mic can cover anything you can throw at it. On vocals, they come through crisp and very forward. Instruments such as saxophones come through sharp and natural. There is no real distortion or alteration of the sound you are trying to capture. I have the TLM 102 as well, and although that mic is a workhorse in itself, if found that it does have its limitations, where the TLM 103 will surpass those limitations with ease!! Completely worth the money, and the matte black draws some pretty nice compliments as well!

Great microphone. I had the AkG314 and upgraded to this. Huge difference.

I've had the TLM 103 for about two years now and I am very satisfied with it.
It has extremely low self-noise and is a very clean and clear sounding mic. This mic excels at many applications due to its ability to recreate exactly what it captures without coloring. I definitely would recommend this mic.

Realizing the suns rays were so harmful for the world and it being an especially hot day I knew I had to sing the sun a lullaby. The moon would have a few extra hours of being awake, a symptom some call insomnia. My song of choice, Treaturous Waters from the band A Bizarre Liberty. As i set up my main mic of choice the neumann tlm 103, whom I've named Mike, I had no idea if this was the pursuit of spending less on sun lotion or just chasing some kind of dogma. But I had come this far, so I turned the phantom power switch on, armed the record track, and the music began. I then yes thats right folks punched in. I began my soft Baritone intro what a beautiful sound whose warmth replaced the suns. I saw the eyes of Apollo himself get heavy and the fire ball of the sky began to sink into the atlantic ocean. Boiling the water as it sunk. I kept my eyes of this miracle and starred at the beautiful black finish of the Neaumman, The darkness of the Neaumman now shifting to the sky. My melody had sunk the sun and the moon in full bloomed glory came out, my voice taking a sound shape like that of the trumpet to announce to the world the arrival of the king of all that is night. Surrounded by a beautiful darkness, crickets became my orchestra. The owl taking over for where the cowbell left off . All of nature was surrounding this microphone, its capsule a beackon to all that is pure and ageless. Mother natures tears of the years of the human cure "industrialization" dried. She looked from a distant and proud stance. Me and Mike were now in control of all the elements. Clouds left the sky this was a time for clarity not the fog and haze they brought. As I punched out, I looked around and realized this wonderful gadget had a power beyond any we have seen since... thats correct folks sliced bread. The tlm will never leaves my side now, we are a team in the battle of sound and noise and the brain splitting noise is losing the battle. By August 2013, we will have conquered all these inconveniences including nails on the chalkboard. Thats the tale of MIke the tlm 103 if you want to achieve this kind of Sonic Glory look no where beyond this Condenser. As Mike and I say, "with decent vocal and condenser like MIke the tlm 103 you can do anything". Although we must thank our sales engineer and sound guru- The Man, The Myth- Matt Masek for walking us through perfecting this art. He gave us the knowledge for the beaten path we walk, putting the sun to rest to save money on sun lotion so we can get a new guitar amp. (We left out our companion on our journeys Sourtower, a Stratocaster impervious to buzz and hum) but thats a tale for a different cyber campfire gathering.

It's the mic everyone loves to brag that they own. The low noise level and clarity are impressive. For voice work you'll get a nice clean recording that truly represents the voice you have with a slight amount of added warmth. However, if you expect this device to transform your voice into something remarkable, stop right there! The TLM 103 does not perform magic nor does it pretend to. If you decide to buy this mic don't expect too much out of it. It is what it is: a nice piece that will improve your sound chain..

I bought the tlm-103 about 2 weeks ago and was happy with the purchase. However, after a while I almost have grown a bit fatigued to listening to the mic. I think the tlm-103 is a good sounding mic, but the sound was just not for me.

The highs were pushing the barrier in terms of what was fatiguing and I personally didn't like the microphone for what I was recording which is saxophone, guitar, voice-over, and vocals.

Also I feel the black edition specifically would not take a beating as well as the nickel version based it off being painted on both the body and grille

I was sceptical of the 103 at first, that is, untill I got it home and plugged it in. Neuman has done it again! Incredible output, no noise floor, great price. This mic really gets the vocals sitting right up front. The artist will really sit up and take notice. One drawback is the absence of a pad or low cut switch but anyone who makes this purchase should have a cecent mic pre with these features already present.

If you pay on it monthly , would they still send it out or would you have to wait until it's all paid off

Heard such great reviews for this mic I took the plunge. Honestly, ater a year of trying to make it work, it just doesnt sound right. A bit frustrated that having voiced concerns early to Sweetwater, I was yold I'm stuck with it...or could sell it on their used platform. I think I just got a lemon...I wouldn't pass this one to someone else with a clear conscience. So massive money spent for a dud.