Neumann TLM 103 25 Years Edition Microphone

The Neumann TLM 103 25 Years Edition Microphone is a homage to that magical year and the industrial aesthetics of the late 1990s. This is a limited edition microphone with only 500 being made!

Two magical things happened in 1997: 500 copies of a book about a certain “Harry Potter” were published in the UK – and Neumann introduced the TLM 103, an industry sensation at the time. It was the first microphone to deliver true Neumann quality at a price affordable for home and passionate hobby use, or for project studios. And it could perform magic, too: The TLM 103 made microphone noise virtually disappear. Thanks to its incredibly low self-noise figure of only 7 dB-A – way below the ambient noise in even the best recording studios.

The Neumann TLM 103 25 Years Edition Microphone has a raw, yet refined titanium look. The galvanic nickel coating is – again – 100% made with internal production resources. Ultra-fine rills, thinner than on vinyl, add an elegant roughness to the TLM 103 – a tribute to its international reputation as a workhorse in any studio and with any project. Because that’s what it is: Its large diaphragm condenser capsule is derived from the classic K67/87 capsule of the legendary Neumann U 87. Yet its modern voicing with a broad presence boost and its ultra-low self-noise made the TLM 103 a modern classic in its own right. The TLM 103 - 25 Years Edition is limited to 500 pieces. Each microphone bears the individual serial number on the front and is delivered together with the elastic suspension and a pair of black gloves in a sturdy aluminum case.

Applications
Due to the universal cardioid pattern, straightforward handling, extremely low self-noise level, and finally, the price, the TLM 103 is predestined for all demanding applications from home recording to professional broadcasting and commercial recording studios.

Polar pattern
The TLM 103 is equipped with a large diaphragm capsule with cardioid pattern. By focusing on this pattern - used in most recording situations - the attenuation of unwanted rear sound has been optimized. Off-axis sounds are rendered naturally while isolation is increased. This also leads to a high feedback suppression when the microphone is used in live situations or where loudspeaker playback is a factor.

Acoustic features
The TLM 103 is addressed from the front, marked with the red Neumann logo on the microphone body. The K 103 large diaphragm capsule is based on the K 87, well known from the U 67 / U 87 microphones.The capsule has a flat frequency response up to about 5 kHz, and above that, a wide flat 4 dB presence boost. The large wire mesh headgrille protects the capsule from plosive sounds and effectively prevents pop noises. These characteristics are achieved without resorting to corrective resonance effects. Therefore, the microphone maintains an excellent impulse response and reproduces the finest details of music and speech without coloration.

Electrical features
With just 7 dB-A / 17.5 dB CCIR the self-noise level of the TLM 103 is so reduced that even the smallest signals are reproduced basically noise-free. As it is capable of handling sound pressure levels up to 138 dB without distortion, the TLM 103 provides a dynamic range of 131 dB (A-weighted). The letters TLM stand for "transformerless microphone". With TLM technology the usual output transformer is replaced by an electronic circuit. As with traditional transformers, it ensures good common mode rejection, and prevents RF interference that may influence the balanced audio signal.

Operational safety
The entire internal construction is elastically mounted to attenuate any structure borne noise that could interfere with the TLM 103's operation. Furthermore the capsule is set on an elastic mount. The frequency range reaches below 20 Hz and thus even very low bass signals are reproduced without coloration. Due to this low frequency extension, the TLM 103 is more sensitive to structure borne interference and wind noise. For such cases, the elastic suspension EA 1 and the windscreen WS 87 are available as accessories. For close vocal use, the PS 15 or PS 20 a pop screens are recommended.

Neumann TLM 103 25 Years Edition Microphone Features

• Large diaphragm cardioid microphone
• Pressure gradient transducer with with one-diaphragm capsule
• Transformerless circuitry
• Extremely low noise: 7 dB-A
• Includes swivel mount
• Straightforward handling for homerecording and professional studios
• High-quality professional equipment for limited budg

Neumann TLM 103 25 Years Edition Microphone Specifications

• Acoustical operating principle: Pressure gradient transducer
• Directional pattern: Cardioid
• Frequency range: 20 Hz ... 20 kHz
• Sensitivity: at 1 kHz into 1 kohm 23 mV/Pa
• Rated impedance: 50 ohms
• Rated load impedance: 1 kohms
• Equivalent noise level: CCIR1) 17.5 dB
• Equivalent noise level: A-weighted1) 7 dB-A
• Signal-to-noise ratio: CCIR1) (rel. 94 dB SPL) 76.5 dB
• Signal-to-noise ratio: A-weighted1) (rel. 94 dB SPL) 87 dB
• Maximum SPL for THD: 0.5%2) 138 dB
• Maximum output voltage: 13 dBu
• Dynamic range of the microphone amplifier: (A-weighted) 131 dB
• Supply voltage: (P48, IEC 61938) 48 V ± 4 V
• Current consumption: (P48, IEC 61938) 3 mA
• Matching connector: XLR3F
• Weight: approx. 450 g
• Diameter: 60 mm
• Length: 132 mm

Neumann TLM 103 25 Years Edition Microphone Includes

• TLM 103 Microphone
• Elastic Suspension
• Aluminium Case
• Black Gloves