Neumann TLM 103-MT Large Diaphragm Cardioid Microphone, Black, XLR

I've had the Neumann TLM 103-MT Large Diaphragm Cardioid Microphone for a year now, and it's an impressive piece of gear for anyone serious about their audio quality.Pros:Sound Quality: The sound quality is simply outstanding. This mic captures vocals and instruments with incredible clarity and detail. It's perfect for studio recordings, podcasts, and voiceovers.Build Quality: The microphone feels solid and well-built. The matte black finish gives it a sleek, professional look. It's definitely designed to withstand the rigors of frequent use.Sensitivity: The TLM 103-MT is highly sensitive, picking up even the most subtle nuances in sound. This makes it a fantastic choice for capturing the richness of vocal performances and the finer details of acoustic instruments.Cons:Price: It's on the pricier side. While the quality justifies the cost, it might be a significant investment for hobbyists or those just starting out.Pops and Sibilance: Due to its high sensitivity, it can pick up plosive sounds and sibilance quite easily. Using a good quality pop filter and practicing proper mic technique can mitigate this issue.No Shock Mount Included: For the price, I was a bit disappointed that it doesn't come with a shock mount. Given its sensitivity, a shock mount is essential to avoid unwanted vibrations and handling noise. Be prepared to purchase one separately.Overall, the Neumann TLM 103-MT is a top-tier microphone that delivers exceptional sound quality and durability. It's a worthwhile investment for professionals and serious enthusiasts looking to elevate their audio recordings. Just be mindful of the additional accessories you might need and the price tag.

Why did you pick this product vs others?:I purchased this microphone because I wanted a high end microphone that I could run off 48v phantom power, direct from my mixing board preamp (meaning, no dedicated tube preamp). I was really blown away with how clear and warm this mic sounds directly to the mixing board. This is not a paid sponsorship ad or plug.

The media could not be loaded. I’ve been using the AT4040 for years now, and it’s a great mic too. But this 103 is so perfect for what I need. My husband decided to just do a funny voice as a first time test of the mic — the audio is untouched and totally raw. It’s perfect and I can already hear how wonderful this will be for our voice over projects. A worthy purchase without a doubt. Very tiny mic.

The finest microphone available in the price range. TLM-103 sound is exceptional: it offers a remarkable detail clarity along with excellent dynamics. The sounds recorded with this mic sound vivid and clear. It is a warm sounding mic on a male voice. The best !

Used the shure sm7b for about 2 years and I really didn’t understand the hype. It was muddy and took way too much eq to get a good sound. Even then it wasn’t that great. Bought this mic and all I can say is my vocals sound like they were recorded in a professional studio now with minimum processing and I’m loving it, just remember there is a pretty decent boost of the high frequencies so if you already have a high voice I would recommend using a dynamic eq or something to mellow it out.

The tlm103 is a microphone that speaks for itselfCouldn’t be happier

I wanted to love this mic, but the TLM 103 just didn’t work for me. It’s extremely sensitive, picking up every detail, but in practice that translated to an exaggerated low-end thud and a hyped, brittle top end. In my whisper-quiet, fully treated studio (40 dense acoustic panels, no reflections or reverb), the 103 had nowhere to hide and what came through was fatiguing, clinical, and full of problems that required constant correction.The most frustrating issue was how it handled mouth noises. Every click, pop, and lip sound jumped out like it was under a magnifying glass. Even light breaths came across as harsh bursts. Instead of a flattering vocal capture, I was left with tracks that sounded sterile and uncomfortably exposed, like the mic was more interested in amplifying imperfections than capturing performance.I tried everything: rolling off lows, pulling back highs, CLA-2A for smoothing, CLA-76 for peak control, even a second round of EQ (Kush Q.632) to bring back mids. I added Saturn for warmth, a de-esser, and Soothe to tame the harshness. After all that, it did sit in the mix fairly easily… but why should a mic at this price need so much attention?!?For me, the TLM 103 lacks the warmth and vibe I was aiming for. It feels better suited to modern pop or electronic vocals where brightness is a feature, not a flaw. If you want something rich and flattering, this isn’t it. At this price, it’s hard to justify when there are alternatives like the WA-87 R2 that promise a smoother U87-style character at a fraction of the cost.Bottom line: Overly sensitive, unforgiving, and not worth the headache. I'm all for making vocal chains to suit each singers voice, but this was very hard to dial in.

Okay first, let me say this is a great mic (hence the 4 stars). I work in the voice acting community and I know a lot of actors that swear by Neumann so I gave this upgrade a try. Unfortunately I have a higher pitched voice and this microphone seems to flatten the frequency out leaving the end product hollow. I cut around 600 Hz and boosted the low end, which seemed to fix the issue somewhat, but of course when you’re paying this much money for a mic you don’t really want to do a crap ton in post just to get it right.To sum up, it’s a lovely mic that I will be returning. Probably sounds amazing for medium-low voices.