Neumann BCM 104 Review / Test (vs. SM7b, TLM103, U87)

[@TSGEnt]

0:15 Second!?! You are my FIRST! Good sounding mic BTW. Good tune too! Thx.

[@senpos]

I already have a mic and many reviewed mics are not even in my price range, but I watch these videos every time for music tests, they are amazing!

[@HarvinderSingh-yy8th]

I too.

[@PH_at_PH]

"I love how it sounds if you eat the mic". I love it too! And I absolutely adore Bandrew's detailed reviews of the mics I'll never posses. There must be some word for people who are so obsessed with mics and who like hearing how they sound. 🙂

[@SunkaWicasa]

re20 after u use this ... only a few comes close nice review... i really like how the earthworks ethos sound

[@risingtoneofthemojo]

Got to admit you've really been putting in the work on those multi-tracked guitar licks and it really shows. Very impressed as they sound excellent!

[@billyhughes9776]

Nice sounding mic on your voice and the guitars sounded probably one of the best I've heard from your recordings for the "music test". Very even overall and soft but clear on top. I still think the RE20 sounds best on your voice -- the LS-208 as well, just a bit brighter. BTW -- there are currently about 6 of those used for between $600-$800 on Reverb.

[@dickginkowski6071]

The RE-20 did sound great for Andrew and, perhaps not surprisingly, the SM58 was no slouch.

[@Tim_ArtistName_Tallent]

Had this mic once . Got it for under $400 amazing deal. I first seen this in action on K-Love Radio’s KZbin channel ..it was their in studio mic at one point for live performances. Sounded SO detailed and clear and quiet. The room didn’t seem to effect the sound negatively either. That was my experience with the mic as well. I also found it to be borderline sterile. Definitely doesn’t have the girth of a u87…I’m sure a good colored preamp would liven this up. It has a Smoother and nicer high end than the TLM103 , but more controlled bottom end. In the right room doesn’t require much eq and I think that’s why it shined in those live radio performances

[@martinrothwell8275]

Hey Bandrew, thankyou. I have gradually been swapping /upgrading my mic over the years and as money permits, and trying to find the right fit for my voice.. the RE20 was my favourite for many years, but I knew I really wanted to try Neumann, and it was down to the BCM104 or the TLM103. But I couldn't find any side by side comparisons.. watching your videos, I always I loved the sound of the 103, (and I wasn't particularly fond of the 104's design) so purchased a 103.. this comparison has reassured me that I made the right choice.. so thanks. :-) Overall I don't dislike the sound of the 104, but in all the mics you have demoed here, I think the 103 has the edge.

[@kojoprince3572]

TO DATE, I have bought FOUR different microphones because of your reviews! TLM 103, BCM 104, Austria and Senheiser 416! THANK YOU!!!!

[@Podcastage]

So glad the videos have helped make the right choice for your gear. Hope it’s all treating it well and you’re enjoying them all. Happy recording.

[@edclevel402]

Respect to the stunt box.

[@amp_cackl]

The Ethos is consistently so damn good I love it

[@techmed-rainer]

I love this mic. I use it upside down when it's in frame. Wife uses the BCM 705, also upside down.

[@VOByRobbins]

Damn Bandrew, you've really kicked up your Music and song section of these LOL --- this mic sounds amazing on everything!!! great review!!

[@ObscureMics]

Love it. Don't $1200 love it.

[@LTPottenger]

This is a really nice mic, very flattering.

[@ShawnMilo]

But... Why is it shaped like Slimer?

[@Podcastage]

They’re just trying to support body positivity for Slimer so he can finally be happy in his body. We learned from Kermit that it ain’t easy being green.

[@adamcycle]

Heh, it's "upside down" but that's up for interpretation.

[@BadChizzle]

It’s one of those I’ve never liked much visually, but it sure sounds nice. Hope you’re doing well!

[@ShawnMilo]

@@BadChizzle Thanks, I'm doing fine! Happy Thursday.

[@groovmon]

Just really love these videos! I always feel like I learn something and I get to have a little smile. Boop!

[@ThisIsHeraldoJones]

I love how that mic sounds. Always wanted to get one, but having an U87ai I can't convince myself to invest on it. What it surprised me has been how good it sounded in the untreated room. One idea for the future could be a compilation video of a more extended test of your mic collection (maybe divided in parts if it gets too long) in the untreated room.

[@MatDuJardin]

crazy good song again much love

[@UnboxerofWorlds]

That song was actually kind of awesome. Please make a full song out of that!

[@GebrochenerPerfektionismus]

I LOVE THIS MIC! I don't know it just sounds very clear. On the Guitar it's prob my fav. I feel like the guitar is fully captured.

[@techmed-rainer]

Danke!

[@gamevichannel]

I got this mic for about a month and really I can’t love it enough ❤️ me likeyyy

[@HessDesu]

You're my #1 mic channel :)

[@QuantumFerret]

Hi @Podcastage, what USB mic would you recommend for someone with a fairly deep voice? My old wired earphones are finally breaking and I find myself wanting to splurge a bit on a mic for gaming and probably for work calls when I'm at home - I want to like how I sound on a mic for once. I will occasionally have quite a lot of background noise coming from behind and to the side of where a mic would be, but I exclusively use push-to-talk so I'd only really be worried about it being able to mitigate sound enough for my voice to come through clearly. My voice is usually sitting around 90 - 115 Hz. I've been thinking about the Shure MV7 - is that the best option? Or would a cardioid condenser mic with the right settings be better, despite the potential background noise? I've never had an actual mic set up before, and I'm a little wary of having to be very close to a dynamic mic.

[@JeroBagg]

Though it wasn't covered in this video, I still prefer the 414...XLII or XLS. I went back to the verses video to check, and AKG has done a great job with the latest 414's. They brought back what was great about the 414 EB from the 70s, especially with the XLII. And if Neumann put out something like the 414, they would probably charge $5000. As for the mics in this video, I liked the RE20, SM7 and that new Earthworks condenser better than the BCM 104. But a lot of this stuff depends on the voice. I don't like the 87 on my voice, but I really like the 103. But for you, the 87 sounded better than the 103. But my overall favorite is my 414 XLII.

[@nobodyhaslogin]

I had no idea you are communicating with Fluff. I wonder now who's his first favorite channel. And the mic is deffo something. Expensive but very nice.

[@GoTellJesusSaves]

Love the Earthworks Ethos when compared to this BCM 104 mic.

[@adamcycle]

Man that was good. Rode Broadcaster and RE20 kills it IMO. Still an awesome mic though and kinda want one. Listened to one for probably thousands of hours while working for a radio host/narrator when editing his stuff back in the day. He switched to this in probably 2005 from a 414. Hardly had to do anything to it, but the guy had an amazing voice so that helped.

[@INFOXlive]

Thx! Very helpful comparison. U87 sounded silky smooth as compared to others. Your vocal was quite effortless to hear with BCM104. It would be really fascinating to hear a comparison with TLM49.

[@ryanshook8284]

You're #1 in this Ryan's ears mang!

[@markcalaway6249]

I'm a fan of the EV's, but that KMS and the Ethos are compelling for the money. Thanks Bandrew.

[@AskMrScience]

I love the look of it, though I'd be more inclined to use it right side up!

[@Podcastage]

Yeah. I like how it works hsnging upside down. Because I have video that has overhead angles sometimes, using it in this orientation just makes it slightly less of an obstacle.

[@pip5528]

Fluff is awesome and it was very kind of him to lend it! I was wondering when you'd get around to this one. I've considered it before and I've even heard it's a VO contender, even up against Neumann themselves with the TLM 103.

[@Larry-gn1xj]

Sounds good. You need to do a review of the Cad E100Sx. I find it is most bang for the buck.

[@mikoajczeski1272]

We need it

[@GebrochenerPerfektionismus]

I didn't buy it yet because of the design but they made one in black which look pretty badass... IT'S TIME!!! >:D

[@bobbyhofermusic]

I REALLY like the way the rear sounded! I could probably mic a kick or bass cab that way!

[@omnitone]

it owned that music test :0

[@Brenhere08]

Was only thinking about this microphone today lol. I spent 14 years using it daily at the radio station although after it went through mic processors and an Optimod it sounds different

[@innercynic2784]

I've this microphone. And it's very nice for what it was designed for.

[@CWU2006EOY]

Stand in box! Brilliant!

[@TMD4000]

.....Hi nice video again - thanks a lot for your great work..... still whishing for a classic - the Audio Technica AT4050 - in comparison with all the other condensers ;-)

[@tohoanguyen2275]

I love the look of it!🌻🌻🌻

[@smalltowntourist]

Con, it's $1200.

[@simonbarth3181]

What the hell, why does it sound so good on guitars. Who would have thought

[@apolinariiouxsbabbiii]

please upload a video fo you singing a solid note for the entire video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR MONTSH AND I WONT REST UTNIL YOU DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AMAZING VIDEO THO

[@CWU2006EOY]

This is a great sounding mic. But why, oh why, would you place the switches like this?

[@techmed-rainer]

They are often hidden by the manufacturers because in a studio, you don't want people playing around with this.

[@Podcastage]

Yeah. Exactly what Rainer said. The radio engineer would likely set it up properly and they don't want the on air talent to hit the pad or high pass filter and mess it up. When they have it set up, they don't want it messed around with.

[@badmiddens]

he covers this in the video

[@andrewrice9383]

It sounds to me like a slightly lower resolution version of the 87 with similar tone. I can also hear why the SM7B is a stand out as well. Mid range characteristics

[@theglobalzrecordingproject]

This is a nice sounding mic. Problem is now I want one. Dang it. And by golly it sure looks cool. Still waiting for Bandrew to release an album of his tunes :-)

[@ericdano]

Wait, who's FLUFF's favorite then???

[@BergpeakStudios]

Pleeeeeeeeeease do the Gefell M930 🙏 Its a Beast of a Microphone

[@rhys.finance]

I second this

[@Threefold.]

There was some great "Hello Neumann"'s in this one 😂

[@redscott7179]

LETS GOOOO

[@Podcastage]

I thought if you when I was grabbing mics to compare. “Red would want the Broadcaster”.

[@nephrium]

Guys, get in here, we gotta help him afford this one.

[@TimLeeOZ]

The NOVA Network in Australia uses them for radio broadcasting (I work for the competition and we use KMS105's).. Not sure if it's their FM processing, but they come out sounding quite boomy? Maybe needs a sub-80 cut?

[@Riccardo-de-Wit]

Even more boomy (and so muddy you’ll need to take your shoes off when entering the studio) is the dynamic variant of it, the BCM705. I owned it for a short while and then sold it to the next victim. It has a sound only a mother could love… 😬

[@johnmarston7222]

Selfish request, but can you add the ksm 32 in ur standard comparison list? Trying to figure out whats the best buy between it and the tlm 103

[@rkeyology81]

Sounded very similar to the U87 wow!

[@Tim_ArtistName_Tallent]

Well who the flick is his favorite microphone channel lol

[@yochillsmith]

That song was really good

[@Godzillah]

Which mic would you grab for vocal male singing? Thanks.

[@benjiang9789]

Neumann BCM 104 produces a mellow sound.

[@frankcoffey]

Holy $#!% that thing sounds fantastic on guitars.

[@alexanderjd900]

And now avaliable in black. BCM104 MT

[@Podcastage]

It looks so good. I think I’d still go with the Nickel because it’s that classic Neumann shade, but the black one is really cool looking.

[@luciusblackmail8129]

I allways thought by myself, man , there must be annother, maybe an even better microphone testing channel. Well just kidding, there can not be annother one, nor can it be better. No way!

[@Crowbar11115]

That mic picks up way too much from the rear. It always sounds muffled because of that. I was really glad to see Fluff switch mics.

[@rhys.finance]

What did he switch fo

[@disonaureo]

THANKS!!!!!!!!

[@bassface84]

that capsule is super smoothe...

[@dannylightning-audio-reviews]

Aww yeahhhhh 😀😀😀😀

[@hansneuhaus6100]

What condenser mic is in the suspension on the right side?

[@jamesbaron3124]

I have on intention of buying any new microphones at all, let alone a Neumann BCM 104... I'm only here to hear you say hello to Neumann.

[@EdoDijkgraaf]

Your voice sounds kinda warm at 180 degrees.

[@JohnCroweSongwriting]

you're my favorite

[@mexidraw]

Isn’t it the same as used by Howard Stern?

[@Podcastage]

I thought stern used the TLM103, unless he changed mics.

[@Riccardo-de-Wit]

@@PodcastageAs far as I can see on his videos, he still uses the TLM103 (even though I have seen SXM use lots of Heil PR40s lately too - especially on podcast stuff).

[@nachtaktiveselement]

Wait. You don't have a bed microphone? Mine's a beyerdynamic TG V70. 😂

[@Carlosdanielworship]

Can you review the Sennheiser xs 1

[@odayprogrammer]

Hello NNNNNeumann

[@Pharcyde-yy1vy]

It's like watching a child review a mic

[@HolarMusic]

Tiny bit of give on the mesh? pfft. Wouldn't use such low quality stuff even if they paid me for it

[@OlexanderZnaharenkoUA]

Oh, I can leave comment! 😊 Like always, most "annoying" test of microphone. 😊

[@adonistaxi2681]

Music tests are better and better !

[@zeitakulobusta]

Whoa thatssss zzzzippy on the earzzzz

[@bitcoinman9202]

I don't get why it is so expensive

[@sugarbait]

Im convinced cost no longer plays a role in the quality of a mic.

[@chinmeysway]

did this ever apply all the way w anything tho?

[@fredoverflow]

The music reminds me of Porcupine Tree.

[@alteredarchangel]

Hey there, I'm new to the community and haven't ever really put too much thought into mic quality, I was just curious on your opinion of subjectively your favorite budget mic (around $60 - $70, or less!) that you would recommend to someone looking to get into proper audio on the USB side of things. All good if you aren't able to reply! Thanks anyway! :)

[@badmiddens]

I'll take a stab. In that budget, I would buy one of these: Mackie EM91CU USB, Mackie EM-USB USB, Samson Q2U

[@FharishAhmedPortfolio]

😮

[@Laomz]

C'est le centième commentaire. 😂😂😂

[@FharishAhmedPortfolio]

"SAD W" 😅😅😅

[@DolphinWave]

5:55 That's not gonna get an-Neumann. 😅

[@meistudiony]

This line of mics looks like a can that someone stepped on. Not a big fan of the B line from Neumann. Sounds great... just not sure that its value compared to some of the other broadcast mics you tested along side it. Still, the RE20 wins out for broadcast for me. Every time. it just sounds like broadcast out of the box. That TLM 103 hurts my ears. Theres some really high frequency on voice that just cuts my brain.

[@thebreakfastmenu]

Bandrew are you sad? That song sounded sad.

[@chinmeysway]

that’s a weird ass michael phone. preemptively i’ll not give my munie to noyminn bc overpriced legacy plus bad design on this which is noyminns best feature most likely (their design is easy on eyes) (their michael sounds are only 2.5db better than other offerings for 39 x the munies)

[@Larry-gn1xj]

Howard Stern's microphone.

[@danwood_uk]

He uses a TLM 103

[@Larry-gn1xj]

@@danwood_uk I've seen him with several different ones, all Neumanns. U-87, TLM-193, TLM-103 etc. Could have sworn I saw him with this one, maybe not.

[@chinmeysway]

return that shit !

[@Pharcyde-yy1vy]

Needing to say 'Hello Neumann' every single time is rather annoying and childish.

[@Riccardo-de-Wit]

Ah, you’re new to the channel. Welcome! 😅