Neumann TLM 102 vs Rode NT1 - This Mic Has a Serious, AVOIDABLE Flaw (Microphone Comparison/Review)

[@AudioHaze]

EDIT: The TLM Frequency response I included was actually the 103, sorry for this! The 102 is the greyed out one behind it. Here are the links if this review helped! Amazon: TLM 102 - amzn.to/3puCa19 NT1 - amzn.to/2NUoBJK Sweetwater: TLM 102 - imp.i114863.net/yRxQED NT1 - imp.i114863.net/oeaZVO

[@franklong6269]

I have to say that I thought the Rode NT1 sounded better than the TLM 102. Also, I heard some room noise with the Rode NT1. The acoustic guitar samples were instructive as there is almost no discernable difference between the two mics. The Neumann was slightly brighter, but the NT1 was more controlled. I would call the acoustic recording a draw.

[@Podcastage]

That fury you feel when everything goes wrong while filming a video is only known by other people who make videos. We understand. We accept you.

[@AudioHaze]

Hahahah. YES. So glad its not just me I needed this.

[@pseudonymlifts2]

This vid sold me on the 102 despite it being a video criticising it, lol. Now I have one and it sounds really, really good. The difference vs NT1 is bigger than I thought it'd be, crisper highs, more fullness, more pop, barely needs any eq... And one thing nobody mentions is how tiny it is, I didn't think a mic could be cute but there you go.

[@DanBaileyPhoto]

Hey Ricky, to show my appreciation for this review, consider this as a token Supreme slice from one former Berklee MP&E major to another. I was seriously considering the TLM-102, but I generally record in my non-soundproofed house, and a super sensitive mic that doesn't come with a shock mount probably isn't my best option.

[@AudioHaze]

Hey thanks so much Dan! Happy to see more of the Berklee fam here on youtube :) glad you liked the vid!

[@anaskhanazmi2862]

so which mic is best ? audiobtechnica at4040 or lewit 440 pure or rode nt1a for without soundproof studio for singing for vicals only?

[@Vlachos91]

I always feel Neumann microphones have a suprisingly tight sound to them, they almost feel slightly compressed in a way. It doesn't feel like the sound is only driven by the frequency response. I wonder how they achieve that.

[@AudioHaze]

That is an extremely good way to describe that, could not have said it better myself.

[@joelrose8514]

It's why they are the gold standard in studio mics and everyone wants one.

[@pinkcheng8188]

@@joelrose8514 What mic depends on what needs the brand don't say anything

[@joelrose8514]

@@pinkcheng8188 True, but this mic surely does give a "true" representation of the source VERY accurately. I love it.

[@nghbrhood6848]

I sold my 102 last year. I always thought if I had it, my recordings would automatically sound great. I was wrong and this channel proves there is more to great recordings than just a brand name.

[@AudioHaze]

Love this take so much!! Work with what you got and make it awesome

[@YourSoundStudios]

May I ask, how much did you pay and how much did you get when you sold it? Oh, and did you buy it new? I am a fan of used gear and I am wondering about how much more used a microphone gets. As long as you buy it used and take really good care of it seems to me that you should anticipate getting all of your money or perhaps even more if it's a very special microphone when you sell it. You do not have to tell me the details but I really would appreciate your feedback. Thank you.

[@Anhidema]

103 is better I personally use NT1

[@Mope333]

@@Anhidema How come the 102 isn’t ? & what makes the 103 better other than it expensive price and name?

[@Proddopeboiavi]

@@Mope333 The TLM 102 is more vocal directed meaning it works the best with vocals but can still be used for instruments etc. the 103 is a more all around mic and is more warm when listening to. The 102 cuts back a lot of its low end but it’s still an amazing mic I think you’d see great results with both

[@Nhmusicoffish]

I’ve had the TLM 102 for a bit, and I have a semi treated room. Never experienced the sensitivity as mentioned, but the sound quality (to me) is above anything I’ve had. As long as my recordings sound professional and clean, idc what mic I have, but the TLM 102 is def my favorite so far

[@claudioa.dmedina2020]

I got it with a shock mount as a package. At least with the shock mount I have not had any issues, just great sounds.

[@chrisw5742]

I had one for a while also. AWESOME mic. I want the 103 now.

[@JayVucci]

What interface did u put with it?

[@jacenoley2597]

I just bought a 102 so I hope you are right. I've had an old Sennheiser 431 profipower and a Shure sm58 for a while now and thought what the hell , it's not cheap but it's not thousands of dollars either. This is the first really negative review I've watched.

[@JayVucci]

Good for you! I love it. @@jacenoley2597

[@danielgaudet6114]

I would say that the top two requirements in investment for a home studio would be to get proper soundproofing and damping. I would believe that Neumann also had that expectation when they discuss a home studio otherwise they would call it a microphone for home use. That being said, my experience with a number of LDC Neumann microphones is that they tend to be very sensitive to background noises in the room (but depending on usage it might be less important - i.e. in front of a guitar cab or kick drum). As for the TLM 102, IMO, a reason why it doesn't have a shock mount is because they packaged it to meet a certain price point.

[@AudioHaze]

Yeah I get that, definitely some fair points. As a counter, I think sound dampening and treatment is fair to expect, but much of the issues I experienced were from the physical conduction of sound, not reflections. I mentioned in the review that I think the 102 actually does a pretty great job of noise rejection, just not in regards to conduction. My solution would simply be to offer an average, solid shock mount in the cheaper package, and judging by the price point of the some of the competitors, I don't think that would add on too much cost. Just my thoughts though! Thanks for the comment :)

[@the0cr00k0kid]

That’s exactly what he said bro

[@pedrova8058]

jus hype, like the "headless" Les Pauls, a silly design error (but of course, it has a "history" and a name)

[@sharp5flat9]

But how do you soundproof a home studio?

[@CirclesandSounds]

You can use a $22 Samson SP1 shock mount for the 102 and 103. It’s a good shock mount. You can knock out the bearing at the bottom, as well as the threaded bearing on the Neumann mic clip and use that to attach the TLM mics to the SP1 shock mount. I also added $11/each Neumann elastic bands to the SP1 so it uses the same bands as in the high end shock mounts (namely for looks honestly lol). Works great for the 103 and 102 for a fraction of the cost. In some cases, you can just flip the Neumann mic clip over and screw it in under the SP1.

[@AudioHaze]

Good to know! Thanks for the info :)

[@CirclesandSounds]

@@AudioHaze you’re most welcome, friend! :)

[@MrDoublebeats]

Yeah that's the one I brought for my 102 and 103

[@MrDoublebeats]

@K10 yeah, those mics are pretty lightweight compared to tube and transformer mics

[@FFOGHORN]

If you have to have a $700 Neumann - and your environment is untreated or iffy - consider the KMS 105! It has most of the Neumann attributes but also enjoys much better off-axis rejection. I love it!

[@HarvinderSingh-yy8th]

Why not Mojave MA -D over KMS 105.

[@rylandweet7750]

I prefer the nt1 for vocals over the 102 and 103, and we’ll many other mics prices in the 1k range that I’ve had, Vocals all need to be mixed and the nt1 sounds so smooth when mixed and exciting, the 102 and 103 are good for vocals if youre wanting more raw style vocals….but good luck getting it to sound good unless you have some higher end preamps because with any pres under 1 grand you’re going to need to compress harder and eq more… any mic that cost over 1k do not sound good with to much eq unless it’s a u87ai then you CAN do what you want with it, but the nt1 is like the u87 when it comes to mixing, you can litterally eq and compress how you want to get what you want and it works with it.

[@AudioHaze]

Nice take! Yeah the 102 definitely as a "post processed" sound sometimes, I just tend to really like it tbh

[@bjrnbrynemo9059]

I bought a Røde NT1 online. I didn't like the sound. I also felt it picked up some small disturbances from my setup or something. Maybe the AIR preamp function on focusrite made it worse. I sent it back, got my money back, and bought Neumann tlm102. The sound feels like a breath of fresh air. I didn't have any problems (with or without shock mount), and so far I am happy. (I got it 2 days ago). I also bought a RYCOTE Shock Mount InVision USM-L. Works fine.

[@AudioHaze]

Nice! Well I'm glad it worked out for you :) the outcome is certainly very dependent on the environment you're working within.

[@seanwebb605]

What is truly criminal is 18 minutes without a single kitten. Please thank your friend for his vocals. He seems really nice.

[@EthanToga7]

Hahaha I've learned to behave for the camera, but I promise I'm an ass IRL. And for REAL, more kittens pls Ricky, they are freakin ADORABLE

[@seanwebb605]

@@EthanToga7 Relative to singers you really do come across as a nice person.

[@MrDoublebeats]

I have had the 102 and 103 in a home studio setting and what I learned about them is that paying 800 and 1100 for those mics made my recording and mixing so much easier. Now in the beginning I was frustrated because I thought those mics would automatically make the vocals I was recording pro level, but I had to learn about optimal gain in each stage and the use of moving blankets as I was recording in a basement. Now as I am in the process of buying 2 mid to high end mics I understand that these higher end mics are sensitive to capture nuances. I can use a podmic to record when it's noisy and I can't do anything to control the environment (it's only 100 and I have recorded with a space heater on and it didn't pick up anything)

[@AudioHaze]

Thanks so much for the info! Definitely some good stuff in here :)

[@urbnctrl]

Thats not a differenxe between high end and mid or low end.. you're comparing 2 differenr types of microphones. Condenser mics vs Dynamic mics. Of which Condensers do pick up way more background audio. This isn't to say that dynamic mics are somehow low end or mid end..

[@MrDoublebeats]

@@urbnctrl what I mean is that it's easier to mix, what I am a speaking about has nothing to do with the type of microphone but the build and capsule, I don't have to eq as harshly with those 2 mics in comparison to using a cheaper condenser microphones. As well as how it sounds with no processing on the way in it's more "refined" going in in my personal opinion

[@ellfsproject]

The editing in this video was even better than usual, congrats o/

[@AudioHaze]

Thank you! I thought it was pretty nice too :)

[@BOKHTARIMUSIC]

Это видео полезно тем кто хочет купить Neumann для домашней студии. Он по факту все объяснил что не делайте этого и он прав. Лучше купите RODE или Lewitt.

[@DJSimmons]

I'm bouncing between the TLM 102 with a shockmount on sweetwater for $849 and the Lewitt LCT 540 S for $699 from the same place. I currently have a MXL 990 which one do you think I should get? 🤔💭

[@henrikpetersson3463]

To be fair, the TLM102 with the shock mount is $850. And it is a really nice shock mount. But I do agree with your point here. The mic should be sold with a shock mount, period. And even with one, it is really sensitive still. A really solid mic though. I prefer the 103, 107 and 67 in the TLM series. But those are a bit more. A tip for opening up the sound of the 102 a bit is to remove the built in pop filter because it makes it sound a bit congested even though it's handy to have there.

[@IAMMIKEO]

I’ve been through so many microphones and the Rode NT1 is king.

[@thomascampitelli3268]

These mics sound so close to one another on KZbin that had you not called out when one mic was used and when the other was used, I could not have guessed. The only giveaway was the rumble due to the lack of a shock mount. I suspect that through your interface into nice headphones or monitors, you can hear more subtleties. However, from what I can hear on KZbin, they might as well be the same. An excellent video review.

[@atalkspodcasting]

I own both the NT1 & TLM-102 & I am not even a singer, and I think the Neumann sounds really really good its definitely overpriced but that sound just throws prob every other microphone I own out of the park, would like to tell that mine came with the shock mount and its really a very lightweight shock mount and the entire setup is pretty light. Speaking of the NT1, its one of my most favourite microphones ever, even when ppl keep telling me the Rode mics sound harsh and metallic, I still love how neutral this microphone sounds, its amazing for its price point and I love it, the difference however lies in the sound of both these microphones, that signature Neumann smoothness is not seen on the NT1 tho its a very neutral and unoffencive sounding mic, also worth mentioning that it now does not come with the rycote shock mount which earlier used to be the highlight of the entire kit, it was light, yet sturdy but they took it out of the box and included an insanely heavy SM6 which is heavy as heck and kinda uncomfortable to use, so I had to seperately buy the rycote shock mount and that cost me a lot, whereas I got the shock mount with the 102 and since it was on a discount those days i did not had to pay anything extra, as far as sensitivity is concerned, when you are picking a condenser microphone the first thing u need to think about is isolation & room treatment so as to enable a good sound, so before one goes to buy a high end condenser or just any condenser make sure they first spend on treatment & then on the microphone, infact the sennheiser MK4 is also an amazing microphone which would prob deliver similar sound to the 102 (not similar but prob on the same lines) for a much lesser price, also the sennheiser shock mount can also fit the 102 i think, so that’s cheaper maybe and can be considered as an alternative, I think the price & sensitivity complaints are genuine but i also believe just getting the 102 & thinking since its a Neumann it will solve all the issues is not the right approach, room treatment is the most important thing if some one is looking to get a condenser microphone, any of them, also sharing my personal experience with the 102, I have never encountered it picking up the bumps so much that its distorting, u might wanna check if your unit is faulty or something, but again, to each their own. I enjoy your videos & I think this was very informative & raised some very valid points, thanks for the efforts.

[@AudioHaze]

Thank you so much for the detailed response! Hm, I hope mine isn't broken, I wonder what their tolerance is for the sensitivity of the mic? Because I was genuinely shock by the sensitivity of the mic, perhaps mine is an outlier

[@Phober]

Hi, this is random question but im using cheap mic...when i say U,E and A words it feels like theres a whistle harsh sound..is that because of my mic?

[@AudioHaze]

Hm, weird, those are not the vowel sounds I associate with any harshness. What mic are you using? Perhaps theres an issue with it

[@Phober]

@@AudioHaze mic that i used is Superlux E205 and i used behringer um2 ...i dont know which one should i upgrade first..if u listen to my last 2 music in my channel "phober - girl u so wrong" in that song you can noticed when i sing, theres a sound like whistle sound in my vocal :(

[@AudioHaze]

@@Phober kk will take a look right now

[@AudioHaze]

@@Phober idk man I don't really hear much harshness on those vowel sounds? If anything perhaps the mic is a bit dark, sounds good though!

[@Phober]

@@AudioHaze heyy mann sorry for the late and thankyou mann i might upgrade my mic to NT1

[@CirclesandSounds]

I own a lot of mics, and have sold several as well. I have the TLM 103 and 102, WA 87’s, WA 14, hand built custom 47, a couple NT-1’s and more. I’ve worked in commercial studios where we had U87 I’s, AI’s, U67’s, C12’s, ELA M 251’s - you name it. So I’ve worked with it all. I am a working voice actor, and I’ve stuck with the TLM 103 for years. I recently started using the NT1, as it sounds much better on my voice and has far less distortion and noise than the 103 (103 is 7dba and NT1 is 4.5 dba). It’s really about what suits you best. The NT1 is one of the best mics ever made. I also make my living in high end audiophile mixing, mastering and music composition, and I say this with decades of high end experience: the mind is incredible. Attaching emotion and beliefs to a certain brand take on a magical sense of power over one’s perception most of the time. The 102 and 103 are nothing special. Neither is the U87 AI for that matter. If you are skilled, you can work with any decent mic, and if you are looking for the best, open your mind and find what works best for your unique needs. One mic does NOT fit all. Ever. Pro tip - Check out Roswell Pro Audio mics and Matt’s other company MicrophoneParts.com, build some $$$$ mics for hundreds each, not thousands, since there’s no markup from dealers and no assembly fee, just design, parts, really great instructions. Some of the best mics out there. If you can solder and you can read, you can build the best mics in the world for way less than a grand each. At the end of the day, all mics are based on the same few designs. Some cheapies do it better than others. Also, the TLM mics are NOT based on the U87 circuit. They are transformerless (TLM), an entirely different circuit. The 103, does use the K103 capsule which is based on the K67/K87 capsule designs, which have a different sound signature. They are not the same. :)

[@ed.williams]

I'm with ya! The NT1 (not the 1A) rather surprisingly became my go-to mic for voice work. I bought it originally, because of the price, as an extra mic for a podcast room. But then...wait. Large diaphragm cardioid with insanely low self-noise and an extremely neutral frequency range. The microphone simply doesn't inject much of itself into the signal. And that's very much my preference. If I want to modify the input real-time with a pre-amp, I can; if I want a completely "dry" input for mixing and mastering, it provides exactly that. The only reason I can think that the NT1--especially at its price point--hasn't sold more and gotten better reviews is that, unless you understand and have the tools in your DAW for good post-processing, its neutral frequency range can sound flatter or less-warm than other mics that inject their own frequency profiles into the initial signal.

[@AudioHaze]

Great take! Absolutely agree, we live in a wonderful time where a low budget mic can absolutely produce the same quality and professional sound as a $1000 mic. Its inspiring! And apologies about the misstep, I was misinformed about the capsule inside of the 102, I thought it was the same as 103.

[@ParadoxOficial]

Hi! What do you think about rode ntk. Now i have nt1a. Do you think is worth te upgrade?

[@ivorymakesmusic626]

Digging the tune for the vocal demo. Is it streaming anywhere ?

[@kaivrock]

Before I could afford a shock mount, I’d drape the mic cable over a thick ceiling beam / mic hanging upside down. No noise from above or below. I just got the RODE. I think I can slightly boost the highs in the TLM range with EQ after tracking to hopefully get a sound like the Neumann That mic sounds beautiful

[@elektro.phobia]

I've kind of just learned to use a noise gate, silence empty portions of a vocal track, and EQ the rumbling frequency away LOL ... The tlm102 is really good, but it's so true, it picks up EVERYTHING.

[@JustJV108]

thank you for this video. I needed this specific video.

[@NKWTI]

I think the R0de can take you pretty damn far when mixing or having access to live EQ if not able to do anything in post. The R0de is a great mic, just not as great out of the box as Neumann. The R0de needs a slight reduction in the low end and then it sounds perfect.

[@a.t.hustle1583]

Thats when the NT-1A comes into play.

[@realmadzero]

​@a.t.hustle1583 I have both and the NT1 sounds better. Clearer vocals and it has less self noise

[@nicolasheinemusic]

They learned their lesson. I purchased mine with a shock mount that you can screw in with that system last year (white edition) for 675€.

[@eliyahu3013]

Hey I wanted to know what audio interface you use and what exactly are all your settings. If you can link a pic that would be awesome.

[@AudioHaze]

I'm using the Scarlett 18i20, straight into ableton. Not much else to consider though (no processing ever used on mic reviews), what settings are you curious about?

[@REALEXIT]

I have mic behringer B1 i want to get the tlm 102 but i don't have money to buy it so i was thinkin about the rode nt1 is it better than behringer b1 or they are to close

[@AudioHaze]

Oh the NT1 will definitely be a significant upgrade to the B1, I think thats a great choice :)

[@wozzawarren]

This is such a great review! I was torn with what to buy and the Nt1 is obviously more budget friendly. I have a basement studio and I have kids upstairs, my furnace goes off and I am always aware of environmental noise. This review confirmed the NT1 is for me. Thanks so much!

[@AudioHaze]

Yes so happy I could help!!

[@ryanreedtv3242]

103 is the best mic for you, if you can afford a $1400 mic. (Anniversary version with case and shockmount) I have the 102, it's great however the 103 is better at cutting out background noise and is better for lower male vocals. With the 102 you may need to mix a bit more to get your vocals ideal, vs the 103 sounds better out of the box. 🍻 If you want a quality budget mic for vocals, I'd go with Shure. Shure SM27 (or SM series)

[@SimonSchuett]

Thanks for the review! I got a really cheap but decent shockmount for my TLM 102, which is basically a clone of the Rycote you mentioned: Roadworx MSM 2000. It cost me only around 25€ and fixed the issue. Works fine although the metal pop filter isn’t as effective as the NT1‘s.

[@AudioHaze]

Love this, this is the info we all need thank you so much!!

[@GestattenWinnetou]

There‘s another, a little pricier, but still a 100 bucks under the Neumann mount: Rycote Invision Studio Kit USM-L.

[@kashphlinktu]

I have a tlm102 and I’m lucky enough to have a basement studio, vibrations don’t seem to travel through the concrete much so it’s not an issue. I compared my other mics a/b on drum overheads, vocals and acoustic guitar and the 102 is just miles better. It’s just got some kind of magic.

[@HarvinderSingh-yy8th]

Underground studio is good.

[@socialmeaslesinpartnership1252]

I bought a Rode NT1 a few months ago. It's a big step up from Shure SM38s and Rode 3 and it functions easily and well for voice, trumpet, electric guitar (not close miked, about 8 feet away) and acoustic guitar. It's very impressive on the voice though. Excellent. Stuff is WIndows 10 PC, Reaper, Focusrite 3rd gen (whatever, has "air" - whatever) Adams AX7 monitors. The room is entirely untreated, neighbours, nearby airport, clock ticking had to be put under the mattress etc etc etc. Playback/mix check is through Adams monitors, Yamaha THR 30 (various speaker options) and Sony MDR 7506 h/phones. Bottom line - thanks for the review and the heads-up. I don't expect Abbey Road at home, I'm not looking to produce a 48 track masterpiece yet I find myself using 10-12 tracks just to record simple material because I like to "orchestrate" with simple and brief things such as harmonica, brief vocal background harmonies etc. I use Easydrummer3 for tempo and sometimes programme a drum track and add a bassline. I find that I don't have to deploy any noise reduction and my re-takes are usually to do with bad singing (!), out-of-pitch brass etc rather than any excessive noise. I expected NT1 to give me problems that I didn't have using Shure PA mics and the decent Rode 3s that I'd been using. In practise, the only thing I've had to do is bury a ticking clock. Lights, 'fridge "off" etc is a given anyway so - no prob. NT1 is a different world from what I had been using! I'd hesitate to spend more on a home studio setup. For me, the money would be better spent doing "what I do" until one day there may be a need for something better. At that point, I want a pro studio and a producer that speaks sensible stuff and knows his equipment. Chasing Abbey Road recording capabilities in a home studio is a loser IMHO. I recommend NT 1 as a very good mic at a sensible sort of price, mine was around 250 bucks - "fit and forget", good results, no headaches at all. Very good review, thanks. I can hear a difference. For vocal, I thought the TLM 102 better. For the acoustic guitar, The Rode NT1. The TLM 102 is entirely unusable as supplied - that's obvious.

[@vladlysak2361]

Does Neumann TLM 102 work well with Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen???

[@mcd-bro87]

Damn I got myself the 102 , talked into it couple years ago and as I do love the microphone I have the issues of recording In a room without threatment, old enough to have little isolation in the walls, but I'm using a reflection filter, pop filter and a real basic shockmount as well, but I still don't get the sound I want. I got a great interface (Roland UA S10). I don't have the issue where every little sound comes through as you showed in the video, but the recordings do sound a bit too bassy, any idea how I might solve this?

[@leandrobremer-music]

The question is (and yes Im ready to watch another video) is there anything in between to recommend? Mainly for vocals :)

[@kizu5234]

is there any small mic similar to the TLM 102 that you reccomend?

[@AudioHaze]

Good question! Its a very distinctive tone, especially on voice over, my inclination is to say with some EQ'ing, you could get the NT1 close, but I haven't tried

[@kamranramsdenmusic]

So just to clarify if I were to get the 102 but with a shock mount would it negate the criticisms in this video?

[@AudioHaze]

I mean yup basically haha

[@FreddyFaith]

how did you fix that rattle in your 102 bro?

[@dangradinaru8627]

I actually am here for the NT1 because I already own a pair of TLM 102’s, a TLM193 and a U87 Ai. I think Neumann mics took a plunge in quality and quality control since Sennheiser bought them …to the point where companies like Rode got way ahead of them when it comes to support and overall quality of the products regardless of price point. By the way, my U87 is highly susceptible to EMI, and is a 2700€ mic. Bottom line I am considering a pair of NT1’s for general purposes. Cheers!

[@idane1234]

U say the nt1 is better than the u87? I think the u87 is the most expensive mic in the world he needs to be different nah?

[@kjc7684]

I 100% agree with you. These new Neumann mics are drastically different pre Sennheiser. Sennheiser has definitely dropped the quality while looking to capitalize off the Neumann brand name. The old U87 is so much better than the U87 Ai that people seem to praise so much now. I honestly just think its hype or clout marketing sells. The Rode NT1 is the best home studio microphone as far as quality and price. This is a conclusion I have come to over extensive work with tons of different mics. You get actual voice recording with no boost. This makes the mixing process so much easier especially for an inexperienced mixer looking to learn. This is the best mic to learn on. All the boost, effects, air, processing that people love from these other mics can be added to the vocals in the mix down process. I learned the hard way but to me you can't find a better inexpensive solution with great quality for accurate sound than the NT1...Rode is definitely on the heals of Neumann because Neumann is not really Neumann any more.

[@SuperSamsosa]

How is the TLM 102 the superior mic if you can clearly hear its selfnoise and rumble unlike the rode nt1 which is almost noiseless and clear ?

[@wildstraw5930]

I have the Aston shock mount which uses a spring loaded mount mechanism for a round microphone body. I would expect it would work well with this mic. Considering buying the TLM-102 as my Aston Origin is busted 😢

[@TMD4000]

Hi - nice review by the way - thanks a lot ....ahm, the shown Frequency Response chart is from the TLM 103 .... the TLM 102 has just a small 10k bump ....

[@AudioHaze]

Thank you for letting me know! Will edit my pinned comment to try and fix this :)

[@CoverThatup]

Hey! I would Like to ask the big question. if the shock mount was present, and there is intent to roll off low end buzz, does make up enough of the gap?

[@AudioHaze]

Definitely wayyyy more usable that way, it doesn't stop the extreme sensitivity though. If you have a quiet enough environment, it will perform fantastically!

[@CoverThatup]

@@AudioHaze thank you !! Have been through your catalog so far and your videos are tight. Much luck to ya

[@FallingxFreaK]

Do i get the Neumann TLM 102 or Shure sm7b?

[@AudioHaze]

Depends on so many different factors! If your rooms noisy, go sm7!

[@gustavodinis]

So, I have a NT1 and it’s really great mic. But sometimes i need something more like extra bite and kind of a more open sound. If I want to upgrade from a NT1 what would you recommend between 500 to 1000$ ?

[@AudioHaze]

Hmmm, good question. Have you considered perhaps a used c414?

[@gustavodinis]

@@AudioHaze Yeap. I'm in Portugal and there arent many options on second-hand market. But thanks for that hint

[@MichaelW.1980]

Thanks

[@MichaelW.1980]

Hey there! Awesome video! I so loved watching every second of it. And I feel you. As good as their microphones are: The marketing of Neumann is hypocritical to the max. This is why I am so much a fan of the RØDE NT1. Just one thing: I checked the Website of RØDE and it says the NT1 has a noise floor of 4dB(A). Where did you get the 7dB from? Did it change at some point?

[@AudioHaze]

Thanks Michael! Oh I may have recalled it wrong, I was recalling from memory. Maybe it was the NT1a that was 7dba?

[@MichaelW.1980]

@@AudioHaze The NT1A is currently advertised with 5dBA. But I remember that TLM 103 to have 7dB. So I guess you had that in mind. And in the end, it probably doesn’t matter. Even 7dB of noise is very low anyways.

[@RicktheRecorder]

Yup. It doesn't come with shock mount; it doesn't come with a stand; it doesn't come with a lead or pre-amp or Phantom Power supply. It's a professional mic, not a pod-cast mic. The Rycote shock mount is excellent and I use them for the TM102 and the U87.

[@MichaelAddlesee]

I think what people are perceiving with the TLM102 is the extra boost in the treble which is more than that of the NT1 - have a close look at those graphs again. I suggest doing the blind test again with the NT1's treble boosted to be identical to the TLM102 and then see if people can tell the difference.

[@magicizaproblem]

This video is hilarious! beyond the 102 vs 103 debate I often say more specifically for the 103 ....its not a mic for beginners or people no clued into the nuances of recording because the mics add extra problems because of their sensitivity. You just made the point for the 102 having this issue as well. for solutions. slight story. I use the 103 solely as a vocal mic I actually stopped recording in a closet (that had decent home made treatment.) by the time i got my 103 i preferred to be in an open room recording. Right now im not recording in a treated room but in a room thats dampened. Even though i have a closet thats an amazing vocal booth. I still havent bought a shockmount for my 103 mainly because i use the shockmount from my c214 which fits the 103 good enough. To add to this a friend of mine gave me a kaotica eyeball which i never used till i got the 103 which by no means blocks out all the noise the mic picks up, but does a decent job of dampening all the sounds happening around the mic. the trick with the 103 and most likely 102 is you have to focus the mics more than you would other mics in my opinion meaning your not going to get great recordings especially at home in an open room because the mic hears fucking everything! which is why i find the kaotica eyeball works well (it can be any solution similar as well ...not those vocal shields though thats not going to help.) I think of it as running distraction for the mic so because the eyeball allows me to focus my voice into the 103 the ambience noise isnt really any issue when i play with the proximity effect by getting closer to the mic. I dont mean dead close either the thing about sensitive mics is that theyre fuckin sensitive lol I have no problems cutting vocals this way. Long story short just find ways to eliminate the the room as much as possible so you can focus the sound your trying to get from the 102 and 103 and youll be happy....they really are too much of a good thing to be honest. I wouldnt have it any other way though. Also not to 102 vs 103 it, but one of the downsides i was aware of was the 102 needed more gain than the 103 and that also plays into picking up more sounds with a higher self noise....which is odd cause the 103 hears/ picks up more because the self noise is lower, but the less gain the more you can play down every fuckin sound in the universe it hears that you were never planning on recording in each take. But from everything i understand the 102 falls under the same principles in theory. Great video by the way! Just Subscribed!

[@AudioHaze]

Love the detail here thank you so much for the comment! I definitely need to check out the eyeball, I think its probably a great idea for any viewers and also seems far more effective than any normal "portable studio" design like those mic shields :) welcome to the community my friend!

[@magicizaproblem]

​@@AudioHaze NP! also to help out people alternatives to the eyeball that are cheaper and have to be as good if not better than eyeball are alctron pf8 and iconic mars comet.

[@kennylawson9557]

I record with the Neumann Tlm 102 on female vocals in my vocal booth and it is one of the best mics I have ever used... It sounds better than the Rode's hands down.

[@fremadethis]

Just to put things into perspective, Finneas (aka Billie Eilish's producer) tracks Billie on the TLM 103 which is like the bigger brother of the 102. I don't necessarily think its bad but its definitely for a specific kind of voice/texture/feel.

[@annekedebruyn7797]

The TLM103 is one of the most used condenser mics of all time from budget to highest end of projects. From broadcast to voice over to music. Issue is that it doesn't work well for everything since it's a very hyped mic compared to a mic such as the 102.

[@fremadethis]

@@annekedebruyn7797 "its definitely for a specific kind of voice/texture/feel." < I agree

[@AudioHaze]

Yeah I can see how this would work wonders on Billie's voice, very intimate sound which suites her style completely

[@jeremyryannoel]

Maybe it’s situational, but the last 3-4 instances I’ve heard and used the TLM 102, around 2.5khz on vocals tends to be harsh in terms of sibilance. The bright side is it can be cut with EQ. It sounds “spitty” at times. Other than that, it’s not the worst I’ve used.

[@shubhshinde4438]

Please help, my TLM 102 sounds really harsh( sibilance) while recording on RME babyfacepro fs but your vocals doesn't sounds like that .....so how should I fix that?

[@AudioHaze]

Hm, do you have a vocal sample? You could email it to me at [e-mail] could be preamps but I doubt they would make that drastic of a change like you're describing

[@shubhshinde4438]

@@AudioHaze yes sure I'll do that

[@ПавлоВенгерко]

@@shubhshinde4438 what was the problem

[@shubhshinde4438]

@@ПавлоВенгерко TLM 102 doesn't sounds that warm for recording soothing make vocals

[@ПавлоВенгерко]

@@shubhshinde4438 you didn't like the sound, would you choose 103 now?

[@maximeheberttalbot4505]

Just got a new subscriber, gawd I love your honesty! I kinda prefer the sound of the 102 but nobody talks about all those drawbacks! after everything you said, I'd prefer having a 'flat' noiseless Nt1! the nt1 is such a great microphone

[@AudioHaze]

Glad I could help! And thank you so much for the kind words, its not lost on me :)

[@dead3t3rn1ty]

The Sennheiser MKS4 is exactly the same shock mount as the Neumann one with a different logo, works perfectly with the TLM102 for a fraction of the price, highly recommended.

[@AudioHaze]

THIS IS GREAT INFO! Thank you!

[@Neko_Nugget]

Dang u beat me too it I literally just commented that

[@andypeake3726]

Always use a shock mount when using a condensor to make professional recordings. They are available in many styles on the internet. I am the happy owner of a TLM 102 and have made many excellent recordings with it. I do not have a heater 2 floors down so I don't have to deal with the same subsonics (low frequency rumble) as you. However, I do have multiple shock mounts and mic stand risers to buffer any low vibrations. Personally, I would choose to not judge a mic based on whether it comes with a shock mount or not. Also, there is a tool called a high pass filter that comes on many mics and mic pre's that exist in part for the purpose of eliminating subsonics. I also own a MicParts S-87 platinum, Dachman Audio DA 87i, 2 NT1-A MPs, A Lauten Audio LA 320 V.2 tube mic, AKG 214, MXL 990 w MicParts capsule mod, MXL V67 Mogami and an AT 4033. All are good mid level condensors. All have worked well for vocal and other recordings. Here is a song I wrote and recorded with a lead and background vocal recorded using a TLM 102. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fX7Ld4uBp5ppq8U ....suggesting you can get a good sounding recording from a TLM102, when recorded with a good mic shock mount, pre and gain structure, even with a self noise of 12dB (A) A mic with 12dB (A) self noise is not recommended for quite level recordings however. The Rode NT1-A has the best self noise in our price range and does sound ok. The NT1 also has low noise and is flatter than the NT1-A.

[@dantebarber3762]

Did you get that second hand… mine definitely came with a shock mount

[@AudioHaze]

I did not, you can get them with a shock mount for a premium, but they come standard without one.

[@AbhishekRajput-zq7xi]

Have you Tried Removing The inside foam of the grill . Will There be some problem if i do it .

[@AudioHaze]

I have not, so not sure!

[@busywl69]

WIsh I would have got a NT1 instead of the NT1-A but when I got the A years ago the NT1 wasn't a thing. The sibilance is so harsh I'm surprised a mic company would release it like that. The A is ultra silent though.

[@ivorymakesmusic626]

Excellent video I owned a 103 for a couple months and got so mad with the rumble that I had to get rid of it ! But the sound itself was great.

[@ily8528]

In love with your channel! Heard you mention audio school in a previous video, was wondering what school you attended?

[@AudioHaze]

So glad you're enjoying it! I went to Berklee :)

[@jasper_north]

If you don't touch a mic does it still need a shock absorber?

[@peterjones4621]

So you buy the shock mount for $169 which I bought when I bought the TLM 102 and no problem whatsoever. So what is the issue? $169 is nothing, I spend more than that on food in two days at the restaurants. So what is your point?

[@vacation_generation]

Really great and honest review. You're absolutely right about Neumann being errr....a bit tight by leaving out the shock mount especially for the price. Totally unusable without a shock mount. Still, the Neumann sounds a little bit warmer to me. Damn confused! I only want to invest in one good mic, and not regret buying a cheaper one then regretting getting the more expensive one.🤣

[@AudioHaze]

Well if you want to extend price of the 102 by a hundred bucks or so that may work for you! Keep in mind its sensitivity to environmental sounds though. AKG c414 is a beautiful alternative for a brighter (and more flexible) mic, and if you go to the used and refurbished market the prices could start to compete :)

[@jimis3167]

Fair and entertaining review. Well done!

[@badmiddens]

both mics with shockmount rejected the rumble. one mic without the shockmount, transferred the rumble. ok, have you tried the rode, mounted the same way as your originally mounted the 102?

[@AudioHaze]

I should do that, but to reiterate the issue is not necessarily thats a horrible design flaw of the mic to transfer noise (although it is certainly very sensitive and I should do what you're saying here just as an experiment), the issue is that Neumann cheaped out and didn't include a shockmount in the first place when other companies are doing so for half the price and less.

[@badmiddens]

@@AudioHaze oh yeah, neumann would like you to purchase their shockmount or the full kit that includes it. The EA-4 shockmount for this mic is $160. honestly, i quite like your upside down rode rig

[@badmiddens]

@@AudioHaze no need for the clarification, I'm tracking right with ya, what i'm saying is that i was surprised that you didn't include a short test of how the NT would do under the same circumstances. Curiousity. It's what's for dinner.

[@AudioHaze]

@@badmiddens Hahaha thank you, the upside rode stand is something I'll need to patent lol, and yyeah in hindsight a test like that would have been great to put in, should have done so and will if anything like this comes up in the future!

[@tedbahas]

Don’t buy w/o the shock mount. Its super sensitive and specs out really well. Its certainly not the cheapest option. I work with Neumann at Sweetwater Sound and we really encourage people to always spec it with the shock mount. These are built in a clean room by hand and is tested rigorously for years of service. These also do want a proper 48 volt supply in from the mic pre. The electronics need that amount of juice in order to allow the mic to perform well when pushed hard. Most low cost microphones will lose bass response and pinch the mids when pushed hard. The company’s design criteria is not to compromise the sound quality . In addition these are hand built in Germany with labor that has been building these for multiple generations. Unfortunatley that does come at a premium. The value of this mic is that it is a “designation mic” that will give you years of great service without feeling like you are missing out on sound quality.

[@Ben-ic1ve]

I’m relatively new to the mic game. I’m looking to mainly record guitar and mic amps. I mean based off the comparison they seemed somewhat comparable (especially considering the price difference). In a recording on its own I feel like there is a difference, but in a full mix where the recording from the mic is processed, I’m not sure how the differences would pan out. Great video!

[@mara.records]

Great review! I'm curious. Which one do you prefer?

[@AudioHaze]

Hard question! In their current states, and in the environment I have now...I have to go with the Rode. If I were to spend an extra $100 for a shockmount, the 102

[@galeriaproductions70]

So... I'm watching this video cause I do have the NT1 and wanted to upgrade to the tlm 102. I was considering not getting the mic after this review. That was until @11:37 and I saw those KRK's. I refuse to take advice from someone using KRK's in Their home studio. ( I hope you know I'm only joking) but still not a fan of the Rokits. Thanks for the very detailed Video. I feel like everyone makes videos Highlighting how great the tlm102 is, but they never point out their flaws, and I also hope Neumann does watch this. for now I will stick to my NT1 and SM7B

[@westwalnutrecords]

What is the low booming sound on the tlm 102?

[@bigtastyben5119]

It's funny that Neumann now sells the tlm103 without a shockmount for 1095 USD but if you add the rycote InVision Studio kit to your cart with the TLM 103 it'll be $1,194.00 without shipping and taxes which is a steal compared to the tlm 103 bundled with the Neumann shockmount. SO the shockmountless option only makes sense for the TLM103 because it's also being sold with a shockmount

[@AudioHaze]

Hahaha, the irony

[@keithdunwoody1302]

The NT1 was my first ever condenser mic, purchased around 2001 and I love the clarity and natural quality of the sound. Still use it. Great bang for the buck. But my favorite "cheap" mic is my AT4040.

[@dapperjackson5248]

can you add a link to the best shock mount for the elm 102

[@lilkinka485]

not to the straight point which is better upgrade? is it worth

[@arupsircar4855]

I have the tlm 102 n rode nt 1a...the difference is minor where the tlm high frequency is a bit more..but while comparing both the tracks at a bit high level I heard a bit of hum noise in the blank recoded space on the tlm as the nt 1a was absolutely silent..

[@renegadetherapper]

You blessed me with this review. I was about to blow my entire savings on this + a new interface + a new DAW that's compatible with it + the shock mount, pop filter, cords yada yada Might actually go with the NT1 after all...

[@Leo9ine]

Never buy an interface that requires a proprietary DAW. There are so many reasons that's a bad idea. You're losing any workflow benefits of different daws by being stuck with one, and, if they stop updating the software in a few years (when you update your whole OS) then your interface is a paperweight.

[@Glitchh444]

@@Leo9inedoes audient id24 require properietary daw?

[@alexmasters23]

have you tried the tlm 102 without the foam?

[@GilbertoMzD]

What are your compression settings on this video? Thanks!

[@thareaper195]

103 and 102 are the best mics.. I gave my rode away many years ago that mix just didn’t cut it for me.. I wouldn’t trade my Neumanns for nothing 😎

[@racheloshaksmusic]

Great video 😂. The shock mount makes a whole difference ! Thank you for this review

[@babyblue4824]

i got the MXL Revelation ii. Hope i do it justice with my upcoming recordings.

[@modernemcee]

Funny because I sold my 102 and got a sm58 after watching your videos. As a rap artist who likes to move around a lot, it just makes more sense to go dynamic for me. I’ve also noticed an improvement in my vocal performance after using a dynamic mic for awhile. I fw the 102 (which I got used on fb marketplace WITH shock mount for $500). I went to it after the NTK (I just didn’t want to wait for my mic to warm up every time I wanted to use it). But as far as quality of sound; the sm58 gets it done for me. Albeit the post processing requires slightly more work, I don’t worry about it picking up too much ambient noise. I’m sure my clients have appreciated the 102 and NTK but I just sent some demo vocals to the same client and he said NOTHING about a difference in mics but actually commented on how good the vocals sounded. He’s a sound designer/audio engineer who does solid work so he definitely knows what he’s talking about. Before the reveal Mic one is the Neumann Mic 2 is the rode You can tell by the sharpness the strings hit the heart but to justify the difference you have to care that much.

[@AudioHaze]

Just wanted to say that changing from a 102 to an SM58 is such a baller move oh my god love that.

[@modernemcee]

@@AudioHaze haha thanks man. I’ll admit that going to a less expensive mic has helped me place the emphasis on how good my material is, not worrying if I’m making the most out of the mic. I also like the idea of conquering bigger pirates with a smaller sword on some Peter Pan ish. Thanks for all you do bro!

[@AudioHaze]

@@modernemcee Yeah definitely, going just as far on a budget set up is so much more bad ass love it. Thanks for your kind words!

[@DD-1971]

Rap is not music.

[@Hardware244]

Do you have any audio examples of your vocals done w/the 58? What preamp are you using w/it?

[@kizu5234]

Two years later.. and I finally have the Tlm 102 in my hands!!

[@MelborneMoon]

First, thanks for the great videos. Really enjoying your channel. Curious as to your opinion. I'm looking at buying either the TLM 102 or the 103 (both with shockmounts and I have a relatively well treated and quiet room :-) ). I currently have the NT1 and although I know it's a great mic, I'm always working quite hard and mostly failing at trying to make it sound more like the TLM 102 sounds with no processing in your video and in other videos I've watched. I'm aiming for the "intimate quality" you described in this video. In most videos comparing the 102 and 103, if I'm completely honest (although I really like both), I very slightly prefer the 102. I think it's because the 103's high boost starts lower and therefore has a very slight bit more bite to my ears. Most people seem to think this makes the 103 sit in a mix better though, which very well may be true. Anyway, I'm babbling here. Considering the self-noise is quite a bit better on the 103 and the similarity in their sounds, what are your thoughts between the two?

[@AudioHaze]

Personally, in the limited experience I have with the 103, I don't know if the fidelity warrants the additional price. To my ears, the TLM 103 is just SLIGHTLY more pleasing, but both have very similar sound profiles. You said it yourself that you seem to like the 102 sound more, so why not go for it! I think you'll be happy with it :)

[@MelborneMoon]

@@AudioHaze Really appreciate your input! Probably doesn't sound like it from my comment, but I've actually been at this recording thing quite a few years (decades lol). But, I've still learned some really helpful things from your videos and really like your honesty and approach. Never too old to learn lol. Thanks again.

[@WhiteChocoateify]

@@MelborneMoon you should look at other mics. And try before you buy. I had the tlm 103. It was good for 20% of songs I made. It got in the way of a lot of creation. The boosted high-end and presence. Wash hard at times. It changed the tone of my voice as a male vocalist. Made me sound higher pitched. Please try it before you spend that much money.

[@dantheman_youtube]

I’m considering this mic , as I am in a position to upgrade . In the UK 🇬🇧 if I buy it from Thomann the “TLM 102 Studio Set Black” cost £511 including vat and delivery that converts to $685.08 USA 🇺🇸. So must have come down in price as it’s now roughly to reference you $700 with a shock mount . I’m currently using the SM7B and NT1 and NT USB - it’s just become a bit of a hobby collecting cool audio gear ⚙️ 🎙 🎤 🔊

[@AudioHaze]

Nice! Well with the shockmount its definitely worth it!

[@Elsolocup]

I got the tlm 102 because after many attempts to make my rap sound tighter i just couldnt I figured a better mic can pickup the subtleties alot better giving more dimension to work with, But i could just suck at mixing vocals and perhaps my nt1 is fine Now i have two solid mics

[@AudioHaze]

Yeah the more the merrier I suppose :)

[@SnowAngelfish]

Wait,, its a 700d mic and your saying that its really a 1000$ mic because of the lack of a shock mount but then a minute later you say they should have at least included a 20$ mount? So a 20$ mount is acceptable? Then why did you first say it needs a 300$ mount? Im confused! Also, why is there an annoying buzzing noise in the tlm102s guitar test and not on the nt1 test? The tlm102 was probably much better but it was almost impossible to concentrate on the guitar with the ananoying buz!

[@Shulyaka]

Which gen of NT1 is that?

[@SinnizterHouseMusic]

Man Brotha I brought the TLM 102 and I been aggravated with the microphone trying to use it with my UAD interface and I’m recording in my semi truck and I haven’t be recording because I been frustrated with it the way my vocals sound but I also have C214 microphone thank you for this video

[@SpellsandCurses]

Wow, thanks for this

[@guitarocks95]

Can be brought with a shockmount, you should have thick carpets and floating floor. Sensitivity is the opposite of a shortcoming, but it does mean having to be more aware of your recording space.

[@AudioHaze]

Can be bought with a shock mount for a premium yes. And I totally agree with you that sensitivity is not a short coming, its part of the reason this mic sounds as good as it does! But when you combine the sensitivity with a lack of a shockmount, you're left with a difficult mic to use in anything but an ideal set up. As a rebuttal though, I think a floating floor is a ridiculous ask for a home studio, thats a multi-thousand dollar investment.

[@guitarocks95]

@@AudioHaze true, there are third party shockmounts that can work, also diy flooting a plywood frame with some thick carpets could help and be done cheap. I own a pair or tlm102s and only recently moved into a properly treated work space, so i can understand the frustration that comes from the limitations and expensive mics, Best of luck!

[@guitardo100]

Relatively new to the mic game hence why I scour KZbin vids. This one pointed out a noticeable concern with and without shock mounts. Thank you for that. Had to throw on the headphones to truly hear the difference between the mics and I think both are pretty decent. going to scope out your other video comparing TLM102 vs TLM 103. cute kitty btw.

[@geotungz4050]

I was pissed too when I got my 102 without the mount. That being said, the Rycote shockmount for the 102 removes the rumble issues 100%, is completely safe, stable, solid and easier to switch out mics than a standard threaded mount. It cost less than purchasing the the 102 with Neumann's shockmount with the mic or the Neumann version seperately. So as far as the Rycote mount is concerned, it is a better, more efficient to swap mics with and safer product than the Neumann. Also, for the mics of concern here, the midrange and detail on the Neumann is incomparable. Definitely warmer and more detailed than the Rode. Both excellent though. I wouldn't complain about the sound of the Rode especially given that it is at a fraction of the cost.

[@TheBrechbuehler]

i still use the nt1-a microphone for my vocal recordings and i am still happy with it.

[@jobimboy]

I’m happy with my at2035, shockingly a decent microphone. Not really thinking of upgrading coz you still have plugins.

[@royulperpull4606]

what first song was he singing? nice