Neumann
Neumann TLM 103
Large-diaphragm condenser, cardioid, transformerless; very low self-noise
Power Phantom P48, 48 V ± 4 V (IEC 61938).
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −32.5 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 82%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 88%
- Self-noise
- 7 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 92%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 93%
- Max SPL
- 138 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 53%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 49%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
- Released
- 1997
vs 75 side-address condensers
More output than 76% of 75 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
vs 99 side-address condensers
Quieter than 83% of 99 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 107 side-address condensers
Takes louder sound than 52% of 107 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published max SPL, and each bar counts them; further right means it takes louder sound. This mic is in blue.
Instruments sources recommend it for most
5 of 9; all under Recommended for.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the manual, p. 6.
Free field, IEC 60268-4 (as printed under the graph). Distance not stated. The solid curve is the nominal response; the dashed lines are its tolerance band.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the manual, p. 6.
Free field, IEC 60268-4. Each curve is drawn on one side only (125 Hz to 1 kHz left, 2 to 16 kHz right); the pattern is taken as symmetric.
In practice
All specs
| From the manual | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | pressure-gradient transducer, large diaphragm | p. 5 |
| Sensitivity | −32.5 dBV/Pa (23 mV/Pa)1 kHz into 1 kohm. "23 mV/Pa = -32.5 dBV ± 1 dB". | |
| Self-noise | 7 dB(A)IEC 60268-1; A-weighted per IEC 61672-1, RMS | |
| Self-noiseCCIR 468 | 17.5 dBCCIR 468-3, quasi peak | |
| Max SPL | 138 dB SPL0.5% THD. THD of the amplifier at an input voltage equal to the capsule output at that SPL. | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 87 dBA-weighted, re 94 dB SPL; also 76.5 dB, CCIR | |
| Output impedance | 50 ohm | |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohm | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz | |
| Powering | phantom P48, 48 V ± 4 V (IEC 61938) | |
| Current draw | 3 mA | |
| Connector | XLR-3 maleNot stated by the manufacturer: The manual describes XLR 3 cabling (section 2.1). | p. 3 |
| Weight | 450 g | p. 5 |
| Dimensions | 60 × 132 mmDiameter × length. | |
| Max. output voltage | 13 dBu | |
| Accessories | EA 1 elastic suspension, SG 1 stand mount, WS 87 foam windscreen, PS 15 / PS 20 a pop screens | p. 6 |
| From the Recording Hacks page | ||
| Released | 1997 | |
Documents
- TLM 103 Bedienungsanleitung / Operating Instructions071761/A06
- Neumann TLM 103 | RecordingHacks.com
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents), unchanged, with their original addresses. Each is © its publisher.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.