Neumann TLM102 Jazz Piano Recording Session and Microphone Demo

[jwglista]

The tonality of the chords at 5:10 sounds absolutely amazing; very lush and harmonic. I'm listening to it with a pair of Sennheiser HD650s, PS Audio DL III as the DAC, and a PS Audio GCHA headphone amp. I'm looking to get into recording my upright piano at home, but these mics might be a bit too steep for an "entry-level" recording rig for me. Nevertheless, these sound great.

[soundpurestudios]

@jwglista - while they might be a bit steep at the moment... you now have something to shoot for... which is a good thing!!

[camcampbell777]

That piano is gorgeous 

[soundpurestudios]

@camcampbell777 Thanks a lot... it's wonderful to have something like this piano for our mic testing. Don't think that there are a lot of places that sell mics, that have this sort of instrument/room as their "testing stage," so we feel quite fortunate- also it's a huge service to our customers as we are really pushing the limits of the audio equipment that we offer for sale here at the Sound Pure facility.

[qhubbles]

how can I get an HD version of this video?

[soundpurestudios]

@qhubbles To watch the video in HD, you just have to select the "720p" setting inside the youtube player. We upload all of our videos in HD, however, youtube defaults them to display at 360p. If you'd like the original audio of this recording, you can send a request anytime to us here at audio@soundpure(dot)com

[bblozan]

Very nice sound! Would you say the clipping at ~4:24 was in the mic or later in the chain?

And, yes, excellent pianist.

[soundpurestudios]

@bblozan Thanks for posting- the mics take much hotter SPL's so definitnely not the mics whatever it is. This was uploaded a year ago, and the youtube compression algorithm was REALLY bad back them, so it's possibly related to that. We had some "digital distortions" appear that were absolutley not in the original recordings. But if not that, it was the tubes on the mic preamps... hard to tell for sure, nice catch, definitely nto the mics though

[pimpinpianist87]

I just bought the TLM 102! It's amazing, I love it! I think, for the quality, it's a bargain at $700. Thanks so much for posting this, the piano sounds great...nice studio, by the way.

[soundpurestudios]

@pimpinpianist87 Very nice, glad that we were able to help. Hope you got this beauty from Sound Pure! We've got the best Neumann pricing around, and we have a team of guys here that actually know how to properly use them!

Really appreciate the nice comment and the support. Agree that it's a bargain at its price, particularly given its neutrality, and smoothness.

[stexnookie]

hmm awesome! great player too, nice feeling

[soundpurestudios]

@stexnookie Thanks for saying so. If we can ever help with any of your recording gear needs, our staff not only sells, but uses gear in our professional recording lives. Hope we can help you at some point! You can reach us at mics@soundpure(dot)com

[khunopie]

I got an Eargasm

[soundpurestudios]

@khunopie :) Glad to hear you enjoyed it, please let us know if you have any questions about the mics, or any other gear used in the recording.

[Johnfrooshlover]

Sounds great! And also, more proof why the biggest part of the signal chain is the player. Excellent playing!

[soundpurestudios]

@Johnfrooshlover Thanks for saying so!

[soundpurestudios]

The 102 is a much smoother sounding microphone that the 103. We actually prefer the 102 on most things over the 103. The 103 has a tremendous amount of brightness and presence, but as a result can sound harsh/thin on certain things if not used very carefully. The TLM102 just seems more natural and musical... can't argue with the fact that it's less money. Both are great mics, don't get us wrong, but the 102 just seems to be our preference, generally, around here.

[ghaibboy]

sorry maybe im wrong its youtube sound anyways..

but TLM102 seems couldnt carry low freq properly

[soundpurestudios]

@ghaibboy Thanks for the comment! The TLM102 actually has accurate low end (replicating well what is in front)- if you have the bandwidth to watch at 720p, and listen with headphones, I think that it will sound a lot better. The 102's are designed to be fairly flat on down into the low frequency spectrum- they aren't hyped or extra hot down there, but definitely flat/natural/accurate. If you'd like, we will always send you the high resolution files so you can take youtube out of the equation!

[ghaibboy]

@soundpurestudios thanks alot guys for your kindness..

i guess i trusted you and dont bother to send the hi-res file (appreciated your offer)

what do u guys think compare to the 103 ? anyways i use Focusrite ISA ONE and Voicemaster Pro

thankyou so much

[Nyk0photographe]

Just Amazing sound ! That's the sound that I've been eared when i was a child in my music school. This material, and the muscian are really really great !

[soundpurestudios]

@Nyk0photographe Thanks for the very nice comment- we were lucky to have this monster pianist in here to demonstrate these microphones that we are excited about. If you are interested in discussing your next pair of piano mics, piano microphone technique, or your recording needs in general, know that we have a team of experts here that are truly eager to help.

[Nyk0photographe]

@soundpurestudios thanks ! But i'm living in France. Could you send me the material that I need in my country too ? Because it could be very interesting to work with you!

[mimaxworld]

this music reminds of the music of game Transport Tycoon which is logical because the most is blues and jazz.

[soundpurestudios]

@mimaxworld Interesting, thanks for the comment! Yes, this artist is an incredible "New Orleans" style pianist, you should check him out if you like it- let us know if we can ever be able to help in regards to any of your recording needs, or to answer any questions you might have about this or any other recording approach.

[gnrfanatic141414]

I've always wanted to know how a pro tools studio is set up. would you mind showing a video of how yours is setup, including how your patchbay and outboard gear connects to pro tools?

[soundpurestudios]

@FelicdadFreyman38 If you want the audio for this video, you need to contact us. If you actually want audio, we provide it in 88.2k, 24-bit to any customer that asks.

[bradcruise3]

price ????? it's really gooooooooood

[soundpurestudios]

@bradcruise3 Thanks a lot! These go for $699 each, typically, but we sell them here for even less (too low to print the price), so give us a call if you are interested toll free 888-528-9703, or international +1 919-682-5552, or always, you can e-mail us at sales(at)soundpure(dot)com, or get an instant quote on our website if you follow the link on this video to the product page and click "request a quoteback" We are here to help in any way that we can! We agree, these are very, very nice!

[jawsrock1]

Just out of curiosity, I've never had the opportunity to mic a piano like this, but would it cause any kind of phase relationship or any other problems to perhaps move the mic on the upper register a little closer to the strings and keept he lower register mic where it is? Great video.  Thanks!

[soundpurestudios]

@jawsrock1 There are always phase relationships with any spaced pair of microphones, you just have to be careful, and continue to test mono-compatibility. We actually feel like the positioning of the treble microphone on this particular recording could have been better. Have you listened to our recording on youtube of the Charter Oak e700 on piano?

[jawsrock1]

@soundpurestudios Oh ya, the positioning wasn't bad at all, but I was more just wondering because I felt that maybe the upper end could've benifitted from a little more presence, but it's not bad at all where it is. If anything, that could be easily touched up in the studio.

I'll check out the other video (Charter Oak e700). Thanks for the heads-up!

[soundpurestudios]

Respond to this video... The positioning on that is probably more like what you are talking about, and really a better overall setup and sound. These mics are great, and your inclination about moving the treble mic position is the right idea, and probably could have improved this recording even further.

[soundpurestudios]

@jawsrock1 You bet!

[MrAtlantajazz]

Love your mellow sound. All on the same page musically. Love it when it all comes together like this.

[soundpurestudios]

@MrAtlantajazz Thanks for the comment... our piano is a fresh Steinway B and it certainly has a mellower and darker tone. It's a really complex instrument great for recording... it's always easier to brighten music up, but much tougher to add richness and harmonic complexity like this- it always starts with a great player and instrument, and a great pair of well-positioned microphones.

[smylfez]

Watched all the videos with this mic. impressive shit that little thing.

[soundpurestudios]

@smylfez Thanks for taking a look at all of the videos we made with the TLM102's. This little microphone really is impressive... no one expected it to sound this strong on so many different applications, not at this low of a price.

[smylfez]

@soundpurestudios yeah. Was thinking the same thing. Will definitely get me one. can`t wait. This microphone will be mutch appreciated :)

[soundpurestudios]

@smylfez Sounds great- when you are ready, give us a call. We keep them in stock, generally, and have great pricing on them! You can call us toll free 888.528.9703, if you'd like.

[adriandukemusic]

Who's the fat guy playing piano?

[soundpurestudios]

@adriandukemusic heheh.... well, we miss him already! When's he coming back to SP???

[1cameraguy]

Would you please tell me the name of the song? Fantastic playing! Amazing sound, but it is a Neumann after all! Thanks for posting this video.

[soundpurestudios]

@1cameraguy Wish that we knew the name- the pianist is Adrian Duke, and if you search for him online you can check out more of his playing/work/compositions. He is a monster in this genre of New Orleans-style Jazz piano. He's got an absolutely striking voice as well... check him out! He was nice enough to do this playing for us, so that we can demo these great-sounding TLM102's

[chrisphp]

Brilliant mic, am planning to get the Neumann TLM102 and this video may have pushed me into getting it!

[soundpurestudios]

@chrisphp Thanks for the note! If you do decide to pick one up, we have them in stock, at a great price here at SoundPure(dot)com, or feel free to give us a call 888.528.9703

[DuskY1991]

Briefly considered getting this mic. Now again considering getting it at some point. Excellent demonstration once again! How would this microphone do on acoustic guitars?

[soundpurestudios]

@DuskY1991 We did do an acoustic video as well, youtube.com/watch?v=i41-xZHzqu­g&feature=related

This mic really does work as an all purpose microphone, and everything we used it on really sounded fantastic!

[DuskY1991]

@soundpurestudios Oh, sorry, I didn't see it. It was from before I subscribed to this channel. I really like the sound of the microphones. Definitely gonna think about getting one or two some time!

Thanks for replying to my comments!

[RAYGproductions]

we use the Neumann TLM102 love that mic.

[brianwurst1234]

wow you look like Greg Brady. lol