Neumann TLM 102

I admit it. From the first few tests, I am completely blown away by the little Neumann TLM 102.

This small wonder sounds big and delivers perfect speech reproduction. Well, nothing's perfect, but I'm very impressed with the 102.

Super small size and big performance add up to possibly the best value I have ever found in a Neumann.

Don't take my word for it; drop in to have a look and listen.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Neumann
• U87
• TLM103
• TLM102
• microphone
• voiceover
• iMac
• Apple

[rampagetv]

Great video's, you have great voice and great microphones. I record my voice overs with the RØDE NTK, and it sounds great. One question, I see no popscreen, what's up with that?

[NewMediaGear]

@rampagetv

Sometimes I use a blast/pop filter, but mostly run without.

For recording:

If your studio/iso-booth does it's job, you can back off the mic quite a bit without raising the noise floor, and reducing the need for sonic filtering. Sometimes it comes down to the talent and engineers preference.

From a maintenance standpoint, a blast filter can help keep a sensitive, large condenser from taking on ...lets just say bacteria.

Thanks for the comment!

[rampagetv]

@NewMediaGear

since I do voiceover work, I need to use the "hard sell" voice a lot. Also I noticed that my NTK is WAY more sensitive to plosives than any mic I previously used. I think it has something to do with the diameter of the diaphragm.

[NewMediaGear]

@rampagetv

Ok - you probably have a deep voice too. There's no getting around the sensitivity of the diaphragm, but you could (if you haven't already) experiment with talking it off-axis. Angle the mic about 45 degrees and try addressing the right side.

If that fails, then a good Stetson blast filter (maybe a foam too) might be needed. Everyone puts out a different amount of air (no insult meant ; )

[NewMediaGear]

@rampagetv

Pop/blast filters are a good idea for condensers - if nothing else, they help keep the diaphragm (somewhat) sanitary. From a pure recording point of view, I will usually just back away from the mic. If you have good acoustics (or an iso-booth), the noise floor isn't usually a problem.

@DECIFERTHIS09

Good point on the USB question. My favorite A/D is the Shure X2u (fantastic) and the Centrance. Never tried the Icicle.

Thanks.

[FCO0710]

I am a trumpet player but I find your videos very helpful! Thanks for posting them and keep em coming

[NewMediaGear]

Thanks for tuning in!

- Mark

[ubaestudios]

Hello! I´m Vladimir Arenas from Chile. Can you compare this mic with Rode Ntk or only show as the sound of the rode Ntk?. Thank´s.

[hotboyme]

I just gonna comment again since I watch this video too, I think this is the mic, I was think a U87 but I probably will buy this will be my vocal mic thank for the review. I just got both question answere watching this video.

[TrAsHcOvEr]

would talk for hours..

[TucoRamirez2]

The mic and you sound great. You also look like Steven Segal. Good video.

[polojimbo]

Preamps?

[GanjaCityStudio]

just got mine.

[jessegimbel]

This is definitely my favorite mic on your voice! I've listened to most all (maybe all?) of them! The 49 sounds really great too on your voice, but the 102, just for a very nice representative sound that doesn't need a low cut, it's right there. Thanks for your mic reviews, they're a big help. I record music more often than VO, but the voiceover samples are very helpful. Thanks for being so generous to go through the effort of putting these up!

[g1981c]

is it me or it sounds excessively bassy and dark like a RE-20 ?

[persini]

sounds great..wich preamps are you using btw? thanks!

[emmanueldivillarosa]

I am an opera singer and I am thinking about going with either the Neumann TLM 102, TLM 103 or the TLM 49. I am looking for a very transparent mic especially when I sing in the upper register. I used a vintage M49 many years ago. It was the greatest mic I ever used. Very silky and smooth with excellent transparency, especially in the upper registers.

Do you think that the TLM 102 is capable of a warm transparency? I realize it depends on the voice, mic relationship, but in general is it?