Neumann TLM 103 / Neumann TLM 103-MT Cardioid mic with K 103 capsule

Neumann TLM 103 / Neumann TLM 103-MT Cardioid mic with K 103 capsule, includes SG 1 and woodbox

The Neumann TLM 103 (Nickel) / Neumann TLM 103-MT (Matt Black), Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone from Neumann is designed as a cardioid, directional microphone that comes featuring a low self-noise and high sound pressure level transmission. The capsule, derived from that used in the Neumann U 87, comes with a cardioid pattern, is acoustically well-balanced, and capable of providing a great attenuation of signals from the rear.

The TLM 103 is professionally designed equipped with a large-diaphragm capsule along with a cardioid pattern. By having a focus on this patter, the attenuation of unwanted rear sound has been truly optimized. Off-axis sounds are rendered naturally, and isolation is increased at the same time. This also leads to a high feedback suppression by the time the microphone is used in live situations or where loudspeaker playback is a factor.

The TLM 103 is addressed from the front. The K 103 large diaphragm capsule is based on the K 87, and comes with a flat frequency response up to about 5 kHz, and above that, a wide flat 4 dB presence boost.

The large, wire mesh head-grille is intended for protecting the capsule from plosive sounds and effectively prevents pop noises. These characteristics are achieved without resorting to corrective resonance effects. The microphone is capable of maintaining a great impulse response and reproduces details of speech and music without coloration.

With just 7 dB-A and 17.5 dB CCIR, the self-noise level of the TLM 103 is so reduced that even the smallest signals are reproduced almost noise-free. It is capable of handling sound pressure levels up to 138 dB without distortion.

With TLM technology, the usual output transformer is being replaced by an electronic circuit. As with traditional transformers, it is capable of ensuring the good common mode rejection, and preventing the RF interference that is possible to influence the balanced audio signal.

The entire internal construction is elastically mounted to attenuate any structure-born noise that could interfere with the TLM 103's operation. The capsule is set on an elastic mount and the frequency range reaches below 20 Hz, allowing even very low bass signals to be reproduced without coloration. Due to this low-frequency extension, the TLM 103 is more sensitive to structure borne interference and wind noise.