Neumann TLM 103 Microphone

A standard name in high-end recording studios around the world, Neumann mics deliver the professional touch that’s needed to capture high-quality audio. The Neumann TLM103 Microphone is fast becoming a standard for home recording and the music industry. The large-diaphragm Neumann TLM-103 Microphone provides platinum-quality sound on a bronze budget, using transformerless circuitry for ultralow self-noise and handling high sound pressure levels up to 138dB. The TLM-103’s cardioid polar pattern optimizes attenuation of unwanted sound and suppresses feedback and comes with a rugged wire mesh grille that helps protect the capsule. This is the mic for everyone who, despite budget limitations, does not want to do without the uncompromising Neumann sound.

It’s not just for vocals — the versatile Neumann TLM 103 studio microphone will let your voiceovers, guitars, and other acoustic instruments shine with “that Neumann sound” which draws audio professionals to the brand time and time again. The affordable TLM 103 is a large-diaphragm cardioid microphone featuring a transformerless circuit, low noise, high sound pressure level (SPL) handling, and a capsule based on the company’s classic, significantly more expensive U87 capsule. This large-diaphragm condenser mic will do the job for a range of applications, from home recording to professional broadcasting and commercial recording studio use.

Cardioid: An Excellent Choice for Most Recording Situations

The Neumann TLM 103 boasts a large-diaphragm capsule with a universal cardioid pattern that draws in sound at the front of the microphone and rejects sound from the rear. When capturing vocals, recording instruments like the acoustic guitar, doing interviews, and so forth, a cardioid mic is often the way to go. With this Neumann microphone, off-axis sounds are rendered naturally while isolation is increased.

Looks and Sounds Like a Neumann

Its K 103 large-diaphragm capsule, based on the K 87 from the company’s U 67 and U 87 microphones, has a flat frequency response up to about 4 kHz, and above that, a wide 4 dB presence boost. So that you know it’s a Neumann, the TLM 103 is addressed from the front and is marked with the red Neumann logo on the body of the microphone.

The microphone keeps plosives, pops, and other unwanted noises in check, thanks to its large wire mesh headgrille, which protects the capsule. You can use a pop filter with the TLM 103 if you want, but you may not really need it unless you are exceptionally spitty when you sing or speak.

To further prevent noise from interfering with the mic’s performance, the Neumann TLM 103entire internal construction is elastically mounted. What’s more, the capsule is set on an elastic mount. Since its frequency range actually reaches below 20 Hz, the lowest of low bass signals are reproduced without coloration. It’s because of this low frequency extension that the TLM 103 is more sensitive to structure-borne interference and wind noise.

TLM for Transformerless Microphone

This mic features a very low self-noise level (7 dB-A / 17.5 dB CCIR), making it possible for even the smallest signals to be reproduced basically noise-free. Able to handle SPL up to 138 dB without distortion, the TLM 103 boasts a dynamic range of 131 dB, according to DIN/IEC 651.

There’s a reason why the microphone is called a TLM — its name is short for “transformerless microphone.” Transformerless means that the microphone’s usual output transformer is replaced by an electronic circuit. Neumann notes that as with traditional transformers, TLM technology ensures good common mode rejection and prevents RF interference that may influence the balanced audio signal.

All in all, the TLM 103 offers highly detailed, accurate sound and superior impulse response, allowing it to reproduce your music and vocals without any noticeable coloration.

Applications:

Due to the universal cardioid pattern, straightforward handling, extremely low self-noise level, and finally, the price, the TLM 103 is predestined for all demanding applications from home recording to professional broadcasting and commercial recording studios.

Polar pattern:

The TLM 103 is equipped with a large diaphragm capsule with cardioid pattern. By focusing on this pattern – used in most recording situations – the attenuation of unwanted rear sound has been optimized. Off-axis sounds are rendered naturally while isolation is increased. This also leads to a high feedback suppression when the microphone is used in live situations or where loudspeaker playback is a factor.

Acoustic features:

The TLM 103 is addressed from the front, marked with the red Neumann logo on the microphone body. The K 103 large diaphragm capsule is based on the K 87, well known from the U 67 / U 87 microphones.The capsule has a flat frequency response up to about 5 kHz, and above that, a wide flat 4 dB presence boost.

The large wire mesh headgrille protects the capsule from plosive sounds and effectively prevents pop noises. These characteristics are achieved without resorting to corrective resonance effects. Therefore, the microphone maintains an excellent impulse response and reproduces the finest details of music and speech without coloration.

Electrical features:

With just 7 dB-A / 17.5 dB CCIR the self-noise level of the TLM 103 is so reduced that even the smallest signals are reproduced basically noise-free. As it is capable of handling sound pressure levels up to 138 dB without distortion, the TLM 103 provides a dynamic range of 131 dB (A-weighted).

The letters TLM stand for “transformerless microphone”. With TLM technology the usual output transformer is replaced by an electronic circuit. As with traditional transformers, it ensures good common mode rejection, and prevents RF interference that may influence the balanced audio signal.