Neumann
Neumann TLM 127
Large-diaphragm condenser, transformerless; omni and cardioid on the mic, plus wide cardioid, hypercardioid and figure-8 by remote from a special power supply; pad and low cut; discontinued
Power Phantom P48, 48 V ± 4 V (IEC 61938).
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Switchable, 5
- Sensitivity
- −38.4 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 44%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 61%
- Self-noise
- 8 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 90%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 91%
- Max SPL
- 140 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 62%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 56%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
vs 75 side-address condensers
More output than 27% 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 80% 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 60% 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.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the catalog, p. 5.
Free field, IEC 60268-4, tolerance ±2 dB ("measured in free-field conditions (IEC 60268-4), tolerance ±2 dB", printed under the first graph). Distance not stated. Low cut and pad positions not stated.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the catalog, p. 5.
Free field, IEC 60268-4 (as the response). 125 Hz to 1 kHz drawn on the left half, 2 to 16 kHz on the right; the pattern is taken as symmetric. 5 dB per ring, centre -25 dB.
In practice
All specs
| From the catalog | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | K 127 large dual-diaphragm capsule, derived from the K 103 (TLM 103)"The wire mesh headgrille houses the large-diaphragm K 127 capsule. This capsule is derived from the K 103 (of the TLM 103)"; features: "Pressure-gradient transducer with double-diaphragm capsule (based on the K 103)" (p. 3). Diaphragm size not stated. | p. 2 |
| Self-noise | 8 dB(A)IEC 60268-1, A-weighting IEC 61672-1, RMS. "8 dB-A". | p. 4 |
| Self-noiseCCIR 468 | 20 dBCCIR 468-3, quasi peak | |
| Max SPL | 140 dB SPLTHD 0.5%; also 154 dB SPL, with preattenuation. "measured as equivalent el. input signal"; the manual: "THD of microphone amplifier at an input voltage equivalent to the capsule output at the specified SPL." | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 86 dBre 94 dB SPL, A-weighted; also 74 dB, re 94 dB SPL, CCIR 468-3. The 2003 manual gives only the CCIR figure (74 dB). | |
| Dynamic range | 132 dBmicrophone amplifier, A-weighted. The manual: "a dynamic range of 132 dB without any switchover (in accordance with DIN/IEC 651)" (p. 2). | |
| Output impedance | 50 ohmrated impedance | |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmrated load impedance | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz"The frequency range of the TLM 127 extends well below 20 Hz" (p. 4). | |
| Powering | phantom P48, 48 V ± 4 V (IEC 61938)The remote patterns work by varying the phantom voltage within 48 V ± 3 V (manual p. 4). | |
| Current draw | 3.2 mA | |
| Low cut | off, 100 Hz; 100 Hz; 12 dB/octave"When the "LIN" setting is used, a high-pass filter suppresses frequencies below 15 Hz by 12 dB/octave. Alternatively, the cut-off frequency can be set to 100 Hz." "off" here is the LIN position. The slope is given for LIN; the brochure doesn't say whether the 100 Hz setting has the same slope. | p. 3 |
| Connector | XLR-3 maleMatching connector XLR3F. Pin 1 ground, pin 2 +phase, pin 3 -phase; balanced, transformerless output (manual p. 2, which calls it a "3-pin Switchcraft connector"). | p. 4 |
| Weight | 450 gThe manual says "approx. 450 g". | |
| Dimensions | 57 × 173 mmDiameter 57 mm, length 173 mm. The 2003 manual and launch sheet give the diameter as 58 mm. | |
| Supplied accessories | EA 1 elastic suspension; Wooden boxTLM 127 (mt) Set. The microphone alone came with an SG 1 stand mount; the Stereo set is two mics with two EA 1 in an aluminium case. | |
| Max. output voltage | 10 dBu | |
| Remote pattern control | Switch position "R": the pattern is chosen from the N 248 power supply, which signals it by the absolute phantom voltage (within 48 V ± 3 V); cables up to 300 m. In "R" the mic should only be run from such a supply, else the pattern is unpredictable | p. 3 |
| Presence | In cardioid flat up to 3 kHz, with a presence rise of 3 dB above; no electronic equalisation | p. 2 |
| Versions | TLM 127 (nickel) and TLM 127 mt (matte black); single, set and stereo set | p. 4 |
| Selected accessories | BS 48 i, BS 48 i-2 battery supplies; N 248 power supply; DS 120 double mount; MNV 87 auditorium hanger; PS 15, PS 20 a popscreens; WS 87 windscreen; IC 3 mt cable | |
| From the manual | ||
| Sensitivity | −38.4 dBV/Pa (12 mV/Pa)1 kHz into 1 kohm. "The output sensitivity is 12 mV/Pa = –38.4 dB re. 1 V/Pa." | p. 2 |
| Pad | −14 dB"a 14 dB attenuation switch" on the back; done "by decreasing the capsule polarizing voltage (bias)" (p. 3). Not shown in the graphs. | |
Documents
- TLM 127 Large Diaphragm Microphone, Product Information, English, Publ. 01/08092497/A03
- TLM 127 Bedienungsanleitung / Operating Instructions (German and English), 2003
- TLM 127 Large Diaphragm Microphone, "Preliminary Info", Publ. 04/0392497/A01
- TLM 127, neumann.com historical products
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents), unchanged, with their original addresses. Each is © its publisher.