Shure KSM44 vs Neumann TLM 103?

[rcook349]

Is the Neumann TLM 103 at $999 just a little bit better than the Shure KSM44 at $799, or is it on a different level?

I.e. if you had $1000 to spend on a microphone, would you Neumann, or would oyu save youself the $200 because it's not that much bette that the Shure (if at all)?

Thanks,
Ron

[The Weed]

I'd get a Rode NT1000 or Rode NT2000 or even a Rode K2

[IntelDoc]

The big question is what do you want to use it for? Heck for ROCK vocals I would choose a Shure SM-7B into a good pre and a good compressor any day over a TLM-103. I own one and personally hate it. Great for some applications, (female vocals, acoustics) but other than that I think that they are over hyped as a entry level Nuemann. The SM-7B is half the cost and just flat out rocks for vocals. API - Distressor - SM7B.... Rock bliss....

Save for a more higher end Nuemann if that is what you are after for the name.

Doc

[EGS]

... a TLM-103. I own one and personally hate it...

The TLM-103 is a fine mic for many uses, but certainly not all. Great for drum OH, piano, ac gtr, many other (not all) instruments, and voice-over (but not for sung vocals). Most mics have a few "great" uses plus a few "not so great" ones. I've owned a TLM-103 for a few years now, and it's one of my favorites. My 2 cents.

[Aussie169]

I have 2 TLM-103's.
The thing is, their characteristic changes with each different preamp.
I put one into my Sebatron (nice and valvey) and it becomes a very nice vocal mic indeed.
But put it in my Buzz Audio (clean/transparent) and it's a great acoustic instrument mic.


To your original question, the Shure is more versatile if you don't have a variety of preamps.

But what will be its main use?
If it's vocals, try the Bock Audio 195 (formerly the Soundelux U195). It's a hair over $1k street, but worth the extra.

[abomeerza]

I have that microphone
and I use it for 2 years
so
mic neumann better than shure

[soundguy_2000]

the TLM103 is a piece of crap. it overloads way to easily, has no pad or filter and colours the high end in a fairly unpleasant manner.

i've not heard the KSM 44 but the KSM 32 is an alright mic for the money.

it really depends on what you want it for. if it's mainly for instrument use, track down a C414B-ULS or even the new C414B-XLS is ok. (it's funny that AKG seem to be "dis-improving" their old products lately.) they're both about US$1000. i personally wouldn't use any of these mics for vocals.

if it's a singen mic you're after you need to spend a lot of money to get a good one but the Bock Audio 195 is a good choice. it may not sound great on every voice (it is usually far from my first choice for vocals but we don't all have the luxury of an extensive vintage mic collection) but it will stand up and do the job and you can also throw it in front of a guitar amp or bass drum or pretty much any other instrument with great success. it is a solidly built microphone that will give you years of service and it beats the hell out of any Rode or Se mic i've heard (and i've heard most of 'em).

with a quick search, i saw that atlas pro audio have the Soundelux U195 for US$1080. it's the same mic, just an older model made before David Bock went out on his own.

i'm not a salesman in any way, shape or from but if i had to build a mic kit on a limited budget, i'd definately include a couple of these bad boys.

[Aussie169]

the TLM103 is a piece of crap.

Sorry, but that's the most ridiculous comment I've seen in a long time.
It is FAR from a piece of crap.
I don't know what you are doing to overload it.... but it's obviously something it's not designed for.
Hell, my Brauner overloads way before the 103. Are you gonna say that's a piece of crap too?

with a quick search, i saw that atlas pro audio have the Soundelux U195 for US$1080. it's the same mic, just an older model made before David Bock went out on his own.

You'll find that when you click the Soundelux link on the Atlas site, it takes you to the Bock Audio page, where they have the BA 195 for $1080.

[3JDamon]

The Neumann whips the Shure for most applications, but yes the TLM-103 changes more from preamp to preamp. I'd recommend trying a Rode NT2A before buying either.

[Kris75]

The Neumann whips the Shure for most applications, but yes the TLM-103 changes more from preamp to preamp. I'd recommend trying a Rode NT2A before buying either.

The Rode is a great mic. I used it on a few commercial apps. Great mic for the money!