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Post by nick8801 on Sept 21, 2018 17:57:08 GMT -6
So I’m sorta feeling out what my next mic will be and for some reason the TLM’s keep popping up on my radar. I know people have sort of a love hate relationship, but every time I hear one, or use one, I always end up digging it. The 103 does a really solid modern thing, the 170 is fantastic for a big natural slightly enhanced kinda thing. I’ve heard pretty sweet vox done with the 49, and I’m on the fence about pulling the trigger on a 67. The 102 is cool but doesn’t do anything for me, and I’ve always felt as though the 193 is a little boring compared to the 170. So what are your thoughts? Who’s used what and where does it stand now in your collection?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2018 18:25:55 GMT -6
Depends on what I'm using it on, I've mentioned this many times but for me the U89i / TLM-170's are the best all rounders as they never sound bad on anything. In second / third place is the U67 / KM56's and I do like the "vintage U87"..
I've had a LOT of Neumann's or at least come across them on my path, the only two that remains are the U89I and KM56's.. The rest I've been able to fill their shoes with far cheaper and sometimes sonically preferable options..
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Post by nick8801 on Sept 21, 2018 18:49:44 GMT -6
Depends on what I'm using it on, I've mentioned this many times but for me the U89i / TLM-170's are the best all rounders as they never sound bad on anything. In second / third place is the U67 / KM56's and I do like the "vintage U87".. I've had a LOT of Neumann's or at least come across them on my path, the only two that remains are the U89I and KM56's.. The rest I've been able to fill their shoes with far cheaper and sometimes sonically preferable options.. Nice....I agree, but I’m just talking about the TLMs here. So the 107 is your favorite? |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2018 18:50:49 GMT -6
Depends on what I'm using it on, I've mentioned this many times but for me the U89i / TLM-170's are the best all rounders as they never sound bad on anything. In second / third place is the U67 / KM56's and I do like the "vintage U87".. I've had a LOT of Neumann's or at least come across them on my path, the only two that remains are the U89I and KM56's.. The rest I've been able to fill their shoes with far cheaper and sometimes sonically preferable options.. Nice....I agree, but I’m just talking about the TLMs here. So the 107 is your favorite? The 170 is, I've never come across the 107 (bar clips on the interwibble).. |
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Post by nick8801 on Sept 21, 2018 18:52:21 GMT -6
Nice....I agree, but I’m just talking about the TLMs here. So the 107 is your favorite? The 170 is, I've never come across the 107 (bar clips on the interwibble).. Yes sorry, I meant the 170. |
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Sept 21, 2018 18:54:40 GMT -6
170 hands down the best of the bunch!
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Post by aremos on Sept 21, 2018 19:18:29 GMT -6
As stated on the other thread, the 170 or 89.
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Post by nick8801 on Sept 21, 2018 20:10:04 GMT -6
You think it would be cool on rock vocals?
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Post by drsax on Sept 21, 2018 20:17:37 GMT -6
TLM170 all day Long here. Love that mic!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2018 20:31:04 GMT -6
You think it would be cool on rock vocals? It depends on the singer, not trying to knock anyone here but you generally need to be a higher caliber of singer when using flat 3/4" diaphragm mic's or SDC's.. Simply because what goes in comes out, they're not masked in extensive proximity effect** / harmonic distortion or funky EQ curves. Whilst they can sound better than any mic I've heard (like ever) it takes training, I have a far easier time with a tube mic but I'd rather put the effort into getting an SDC / 170 / 89 right because the end results are always stellar. ** SDC's can be very prone to proximity but generally you're not supposed to be right up on them, the K89 capsules paired with the U89 / TLM 170 are fine with you getting up close and don't suffer that much with less than ideal recording setups due to their even diffuse field response. Their off axis response is also one of the best.. |
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Post by chessparov on Sept 21, 2018 22:08:06 GMT -6
I'm already a TLM 67 fan, and am most curious of the TLM 49. Since...
It'd be just mainly for me. What little I know of the 49, is that it can be "hit or miss" on a given vocalist. Chris
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Post by spindrift on Sept 21, 2018 22:19:18 GMT -6
I actually dig the TLM67. It sounds excellent on an acoustic guitar. I know the U67 gets lots of praise, but the acoustic always sounds a touch cloudy and muddled through the U67 tube mic, but I prefer the TLM67 FET on acoustic. Plus you can get a MaxMod MK67 for it and double dip.
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Post by Blackdawg on Sept 21, 2018 22:50:37 GMT -6
The TLM67 is beautiful. I love that mic. the 89 is also great, but can be a bit dark depending on the source. The 67 has clarity while still having that wonder soft/warmness to it. Very nice.
The 170 is probably one of the most versitile mics out there.
the 49 is..eh. Thats a either works..or hell no mic. But still handy.
The 193 can be useful as well, but not the most lovely of them.
the 103..meh. Idk. works, nothing crazy though.
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Post by nick8801 on Sept 22, 2018 6:29:10 GMT -6
I actually dig the TLM67. It sounds excellent on an acoustic guitar. I know the U67 gets lots of praise, but the acoustic always sounds a touch cloudy and muddled through the U67 tube mic, but I prefer the TLM67 FET on acoustic. Plus you can get a MaxMod MK67 for it and double dip. Yeah the option to do the Max Mod thing is another reason the 67 is appealing, although I still think it sounds pretty great stock. |
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Post by doom3crazy on Sept 22, 2018 20:37:00 GMT -6
I've always found the TLM stuff to be touchy in the sense when it works on a source, IT REALLY WORKS, but outside of that I am not so sure.
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Post by adamjbrass on Sept 24, 2018 9:50:47 GMT -6
The 170 is probably one of the most versitile mics out there. I totally agree here. The TLM170R are sleepers. |
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Post by Ward on Sept 24, 2018 9:54:16 GMT -6
TLM170. Beautiful
TLM102. Best hat and ride microphones ever. Great on hand perc and femvox
TLM103. Giant MEH
TLM193. well, it's ok but no 170
TLM127. Great until I heard (and bought) the 170
TLM67. My buddy has one, but it's no 67 . . . not by a long shot
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Post by chessparov on Sept 24, 2018 12:34:54 GMT -6
TLM 170 vs. U89? Chris
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Post by Blackdawg on Sept 24, 2018 12:42:03 GMT -6
170 for most instruments, string ones particularly. 89 for vocals, brass. Granted, they are both pretty useable. The 89 can be too dark on sources at times though. |
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Post by aremos on Sept 24, 2018 13:04:06 GMT -6
170 for most instruments, string ones particularly. 89 for vocals, brass. Granted, they are both pretty useable. The 89 can be too dark on sources at times though. Or 170 for vox & 89 for instrument? I think I might agree with you (89 for vox) only based on my use but others have stated the opposite. I think it's more of a source (vox) dependent choice than generally stating that one is better suited for something because of (or lack of) the transformer.
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Post by Blackdawg on Sept 24, 2018 14:42:24 GMT -6
170 for most instruments, string ones particularly. 89 for vocals, brass. Granted, they are both pretty useable. The 89 can be too dark on sources at times though. Or 170 for vox & 89 for instrument? I think I might agree with you (89 for vox) only based on my use but others have stated the opposite. I think it's more of a source (vox) dependent choice than generally stating that one is better suited for something because of (or lack of) the transformer.
Definitely! One thing thats been said a million times and will be said a million more. Match the mic to the source, every source is different, there is no rules and no "one ruller" of microphones. Totally depends on the vibe, sound, and source that you want. That's whats fun. That said...I'd still say the 170 is more versatile in a sense it's going to sound good on more things then the 89. The 89 is smooth...and sometimes too much of a good thing can be bad is all. Just where I'd start id guess if I had something going on and had the mic's there. But I could never predict which would win without hearing it first. |
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Post by nick8801 on Sept 24, 2018 15:07:40 GMT -6
Great stuff guys....I don’t think I’ve ever seen a thread dedicated to the tlm mics as a line as opposed to individual mic discussions. It’s cool to have it here as a resource!
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Post by Mister Chase on Sept 24, 2018 19:14:53 GMT -6
Once I heard some modern red badge TLM 170s on a Steinway D in a local studio, I had to have some. Got lucky and found a pair of first year 170s for a great price. Love them on lots of sources. Just a great mic. The 89 is supposedly like a 170 but with a transformer. I'd love to have a couple. 103 I never really dug. 102s are neat and pretty great in some demo's I've heard.
The 107 is a pretty cool mic in the demo's I've heard.
I thought the 193 was a card-only 170? I know it's apparently the same capsule but that's all I know about them.
Great series of mics. Not all the tube mojo and usual freq. peaks Neumann is known for, but my 170s still have that smooth expensive tone to them.
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Post by nick8801 on Sept 24, 2018 19:33:20 GMT -6
I was pretty set on a TLM 67 but you guys are making me want a 170......
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Post by Blackdawg on Sept 24, 2018 19:54:23 GMT -6
I was pretty set on a TLM 67 but you guys are making me want a 170...... Can't go wrong with either! |
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