Neumann M 49 V vs TLM 49 🏹 Condenser Microphone Comparison Shootout

[@PhilosopherThom]

I've had the TLM 49 on my list for a while now. I think it's the best price/quality combo in Neumann's current line-up. I used to have a vintage U67 and while I'll never have that again I think for my vocals the TLM49 will get me quite close.

[@ToddUrban]

Actually check out my video on the TLM 67. It is pretty amazing and should also be a consideration.

[@RobertAlanMorley]

Thank you for a really good video! I have a TLM 49 and a M 149, but not a M 49. I think the M 49 is far better than the TLM 49. Much warmer and richer sound. The TLM 49 is a bit brighter, and I think i will be a good microphone for some voices. But I would like a to compare it to the M 149. I think the difference will be much less between those two. But i use the TLM 49 for som vocal recordings, and some guitar recordings, and you get a lot for a much lower price. So if you have a budget studio, the TLM 49 is a really good choice. I've used both U 47 and U 67 vintage microphones in the studio I used to work in, but they are so expensive that I can't afford them in my home studio. (If I ever could get hold of one of them...)

[@ToddUrban]

Thanks for the input! I just used an M 149 yesterday for the first time. It is another great mic! Never did a side by side comparison though.

[@RobertRyda]

I own a clone of M49 made from actual TLM49. Had the box dc biased and custom adjusted other internal parts. Sounds amazing and yes, the DC bias changes the sound of the mic, so its tuneable unlike the TLM (but requires PRECISE calibration or can get fried)! I love this microphone!

[@ToddUrban]

Wow. That sounds amazing.

[@huberttorzewski]

TLM 49 is very nice sounding but surprisingly both mics had the same issue with an ugly resonance in the upper mids on the female voc which was static (perhaps it's the resonance of the capsule itself).

[@ToddUrban]

It could be resonance of the capsule. But it could also be the resonance of the individual vocalist. I do find that for most vocalists, I do need to do some subtle corrective work prior to any EQing so certain sounds aren't emphasized. But thank you for adding your comment! :)

[@vincenteoppolo9025]

Could really hear the highs lifted on the tlm especially on male vocal and guitar … glad I passed on it. The M is gorgeous imho… great demo

[@ToddUrban]

Thank you for watching. Yeah, totally different price point, both are good, but there is a difference.

[@rafaelcarmany463]

I bought the TLM 49 when they first came out - gosh, it was many years ago. I had Huge Hopes and Expectations. I've been using many Kinds of Neumanns in the studio since 1972. I kept the 49 for 3 months because I just could not believe that I Hated this mic so much! I finally returned it in perfect condition with a huge Re-Boxing fee, that's how much I disliked it. By far, the worst sounding mic I had ever heard.

[@ZionGuySupreme]

I like both but the TLM 49 gives me that true Neumann sound

[@rafaelcarmany463]

So - The M 49 V does NOT give you that True Neumann Sound?

[@kleinjohnson5734]

I have a TLM 49, and it is an excellent mic. It seems to be a "brighter mic", which I like personally, especially on drums. I'm not sure the M 49 it is worth the extra 7k, but hey I'm just a mediocre "home studio" guy whose wife will "have taken out" if I spend 9 grand on a microphone. Mics always sound different in the context of "the mix", so at some point you'll likely end up "tweeking" on EQ anyway. This will give many ppl a laugh probably, but I have a Warm Audio WA-47 that I swear by. It is a wonderful mic IMO, not the same build quality as the Neumann, but I'll pick it for vocals over just about anything I have. The TLM 49 is my "#2" vocal mic in most cases. Heck maybe my "old ears" are just getting bad. LOL Great shootout comparison video.

[@ToddUrban]

Thanks for watching and for your input! 😃

[@sagirtv3343msk]

Pls help me

[@ToddUrban]

@sagirtv3343msk help you with what?

[@billyhughes9776]

Nice compare. So, the M 49 V, to my ears was rounder on top and a bit more forward in the midrange. The TLM 49 more hifi sounding, brighter on top and maybe a tad more lowend. Huge price difference -- lol.

[@ToddUrban]

Definitely! Both are great. Slightly different sounds, but very different price points! 💥

[@shane2973]

I heard it almost exactly like this...M49V softer top end, more vintage...TLM49 more pop up top, more modern. This makes sense as the M49V is a vintage reissue. I am also quite surprised by the TLM49 as others have said...I would seriously consider grabbing one used at a GREAT price point for a Neumann! I have been wanting to explore getting the M49V, Primarily for Vocals and Acoustic Guitar, but the TLM was a very pleasant surprise here for me.

[@azamat19]

This

[@annavmusic6309]

thanks for sharing this! If looking for another Neumman mic as a companion to the TLM 49, mainly for vocals, but good for other purposes too, would you suggest the TLM 67 or a U87ai? I want to make sure whichever one has enough sound difference to make it worth having the two mic choices depending on the need, especially since they are expensive (of course either way we'll be looking for a used one). Thank you!

[@ToddUrban]

I assume you saw my other video on those 2 mics? The TLM 67 is an insane value. You get the distortion of a U67 but it isn’t $8000. As for the 87, it is a classic, but more of a smooth sound to my ears. If I could only buy one of these, it would be a M49, but the price is extremely high. My runner up might be the TLM 67

[@annavmusic6309]

@@ToddUrban thank you so much!!!

[@JRod37]

Thanks for this video! I keep coming back to wanting an M49 and I'm not sure this helped haha - The TLM comes off well though. The biggest thing for me was the double bass, which is always an arse to record, sounding considerably better on the M49, controlled the boomy lows and brought a solid tone

[@ToddUrban]

Well, it comes down to money! There is no doubt the M49 is one of the best mics I’ve used. But the real question is whether you have the budget for it. There is a smoothness that no other mic offers in the same way.

[@drakewatkins2624]

i couldn’t tell a difference on the fast strumming on the gutair they both sounded identical on the female vocals the 49v sounded brighter and I felt like the tlm 49 had more low end witch is interesting on the slow vocals the 49v sounded more full but that’s to be expected but I feel like that’s the only advantage that it had over the tlm 49 wow I’m just impressed by the tlm 49 for the price difference mostly it kept up and competed with the 49v very well just a over all amazing mic thank you for this comparison I’ve been so skeptical between these two mics 🙏 I’m so glad that I invested in the tlm 49 I really don’t regret my decision there not one but what an amazing all around mic 🔥

[@ToddUrban]

I agree. The TLM 49 is very close on most examples. There is a smoothness in the M, but there is also a major price difference. I’ve always been happy to have any TLM to work with. They hold up great in terms of durability and they sound excellent.

[@drakewatkins2624]

Absolutely agree there both smooth and warm mics with subtle differences again I wasn’t expecting the outcome to be subtle in any of these comparisons against the m49v just real impressed with the tlm I’d love to no the circuitry in that mic it’s got me curious now thanks for the post 🙏

[@wildmilne]

Are there any modern mic's that are full sounding without super hyped high end?

[@ToddUrban]

I think there are lots of mics that capture the high end without being too bright. However, there are current trends and expectations in our mix deliveries to have frequency extension up to 20k. Therefore, I don't mind this additional range. It allows me to roll off the top when needed, but doesn't require me to boost to the top end like I've needed to do with certain mics. All this being said, I don't find the M 49 to be hyped in the top end - did you? I do find some mics such as the new 414s to be a little bright, and therefore need to be careful about my placement so that I capture the proper sound at the source.

[@wildmilne]

@@ToddUrban No but that one is out of my price range :)

[@ToddUrban]

The M49 is out of most of our price ranges. 😉 But just pointing it out as an example.

[@peterpeper4837]

This is a great channel with some of the very best content on the topic. It is an amazing comparison of two mics with such a huge price difference. Of course the TLM misses some of the tube and dual capsule magic of the expensive big brother but really not that much. I'm thinking about the TLM49 or the TLM 67 for the horn section. Normally that would be the role for the 67 but I wonder if the 49 sounds even better. I guess different flavors depending on the sound we are going after. I tried to compare the 49 wit the 67 you have on an other video but settings were different. It would be great to keep that in mind and kind of generalise the settings and placements on the instruments from video to video.

[@ToddUrban]

Thank you for the kind words. In my opinion, the TLM67 captures the distortion of a U67, while the TLM49 has a bit of extra harmonic content on the top. It is a bit of a sparkly sheen on the sound. So they are two different sounds, but both great. I’m personally more a fan of the 67, but the M 49 is a completely different beast. It is like having the perfect balance of dynamics and tone on most sources. But of course the price is in a totally different league. Hope that helps to get some of my personal feelings.

[@peterpeper4837]

@@ToddUrban Thank you so much for the reply. Do you have a favorite condenser for the horn section? I know Al Schmitt loved the u67 on tenor sax. The elam 251 can sound great on alto sax( David Sanborn). Ive seen photos of Miles with the U47 and M49, same for Coltrane.

[@ToddUrban]

Horns are always changing for me. It depends on the player. I love a r-121 on trumpet. Of course that is a ribbon. I probably wouldn’t do a 414, it might be a little too bright. Have you seen my Blue mic video? I love those on horns.

[@peterpeper4837]

@@ToddUrban Yes, I think the Blue Kiwi can sound fantastic on the saxophone. It is as you said, one player can sound dark the other edgy and over bright. Ribbons are always a good choice if the acoustics of the place is also favourable.

[@bbfoto7248]

​​​​@@peterpeper4837 First choice on brass and woodwinds if you have deep pockets is the AEA KU4 supercardioid ribbon. For a tighter budget, Mesanovic M2 ribbon is fantastic, or Samar Audio VL37A, then AEA N8. All are excellent on the strings family as well...violin/viola/cello/double bass...or drum O/H & Room. Sax and drums player here.

[@Screaming-Trees]

Both microphones use the K47/k49 capsule so the frequency response should be fairly similar. People talk about transformers and tubes etc but the single most significant factor in any microphone's frequency response is the capsule. I have a U67 reissue but wouldn't cry about it if someone gave me a TLM49. That's the most musical capsule ever made probably.

[@ToddUrban]

Yes! And the TLM 67 is amazing. (I did a video on that) Nice KZbin handle by the way! 🌳 😉 🌲

[@Screaming-Trees]

@@ToddUrban Thanks! :) Never tried the TLM67 actually. I'm sure it's great like you say. Neumann make these capsules to exact specifications of the vintage capsule. Even though lots of clone companies slag them off online constantly and say that they don't make them like the used to but that's all rubbish. They do. What I really like the about U67 and now the M49 reissues is that if you're making records there is finally a solution to the classic Neumann mic problem. You don't have to pay 30 grand for a vintage 47 etc anymore. Before they decided to do the reissues everyone was stuck really. No other option but to shell out tens of thousands for vintage Neumann if you were after that sound. Now we have options finally. Options that are comparatively affordable as well. Great times we live in :). I'll be sure to check out your TLM67 video.

[@justme-eb6lz]

there is a diferent between the capsuls in them. its a DUAL capsule in the m49v and ONE SIDED capsule in the tlm49. thats what makes the m49v more smooter ich sound. but yes, both uses k47 cupsule but diferent version

[@ToddUrban]

Interesting comment. I’ll need to ask Neumann about how much comes from the capsule design. Thanks for the input.

[@Screaming-Trees]

@@justme-eb6lz Strictly speaking there is a difference yes. One capsule is single sided and the other is double sided. The latter is to do with patterns. The K49 offers both cardioid and omni polar patterns. Do you need omni though? In a vocal microphone? If you do then you have to look at something other than the TLM49. But Neumann are adamant that the capsule frequency response is the same. And there is no reason to doubt them. You can hear it. I don't have a horse in the race. I use a U67 reissue primarily. You can hear from the demos the capsules sound very similar. If both microphones used a cardioid pattern for this recording it is difficult to see how the double sided aspect of the same capsule is responsible for "richer/smoother" sound. I would say tube microphones do have a kind of gentler sound about them. At least my ear likes them. Back of the capsule, especially if you're not using the pattern, isn't going to impact the frequency response of the side you're singing into.

[@rafaelcarmany463]

I bought the TLM 49 when they first came out - it was many years ago. I had Huge Hopes and Expectations. I've been using many Kinds of Neumanns in many Professional studios since 1972 and from Coast to Coast. I kept the 49 for 3 months because I just could not believe that I Hated this mic so much! I wanted to be sure that I was not doing something wrong. I finally returned it in perfect condition with a huge Re-Boxing fee, that's how much I disliked it. By far, the worst sounding mic I had ever heard. I will say that I once used it on a Grand Piano in a PA Large Auditorium situation. That was the only time that I liked it. It sounded really good - but I could not justify the expense for that one type of use.

[@tedbahas]

Man who would spend that much on a mic….? Oh wait!

[@ToddUrban]

😉 sounds like they got you!

[@ramonfelizjr]

On the female vocals the M49 in cardioid mids has more HD low mids has more weight unless they are not level match , sonically they are very similar , On male vocals in cardioid the TLM 49 sounds better on his voice which translate to not because cost more it will sound better , example : my voice sound better on U87 then TLM 49 and my friend sounds better on the TLM 49 or someone else will sound better on a shure SM7B $400 “ thriller album “ 70 million copies worldwide don’t let no one fool you . price should be $1,000 more . I don’t think that increase on quality has to be that much money

[@ToddUrban]

Agreed! Each voice is different and any of these mics could be the right one for the right voice! :)

[@drakewatkins2624]

I’d agree the tlm 49 is known for its amazing mids I have one and it’s just warm and smooth all around again same I didn’t here a 6 thousand dollar difference in quality here for me the differences were very minor and subtle most definitely

[@ToddUrban]

Definitely expensive!

[@rtdrec]

It was not the SM7B on ghe thriller album, it was the SM7. BTW: About 4 tracks were recorded with it, not the whole album.

[@HarvinderSingh-yy8th]

Both mics are costly. NT1, Mojave MA 201 are better for beginners.

[@ToddUrban]

Yes, definitely not beginner mics 😉

[@kevinmiracle8233]

what a horrible comparison video for vocalist.

[@ToddUrban]

Being more specific would help to create content that was more useful moving forward.

[@kevinmiracle8233]

@@ToddUrban it was just bad vocals.. and nothing showcasing the product. I just did a shootout of 3 mics all running through a new preamp and was more informative than this.. sorry. Not bashing, just giving my opinion.

[@ToddUrban]

@@kevinmiracle8233 Sure. You are entitled to your own opinion. Both are actual full time session vocalists featured on several recordings, so it is a bit surprising for you to feel that.