Neumann
Neumann TLM 170 R
Large-diaphragm condenser, transformerless, five patterns (omni to figure-8) switchable on the mic or by remote, with pad and low cut
Power Phantom, 48 V ± 4 V (P48, IEC 61938).
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Switchable, 5
- Sensitivity
- −42 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 25%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 47%
- Self-noise
- 14 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 59%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 60%
- Max SPL
- 144 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 79%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 75%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
vs 75 side-address condensers
More output than 5% 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 34% 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 79% 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 6; all under Recommended for.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the manual, p. 16.
Free field, IEC 60268-4, tolerance ±2 dB (as printed). Distance not stated. Pad off.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the manual, p. 16.
Free field, IEC 60268-4. 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 manual | ||
|---|---|---|
| Self-noise | 14 dB(A)IEC 60268-1, A-weighted RMS. One figure for all patterns. | p. 3 |
| Self-noiseCCIR 468 | 26 dBCCIR 468-3 quasi-peak | |
| Max SPL | 144 dB SPLless than 0.5% THD; also 154 dB SPL, with pre-attenuation. "THD of microphone amplifier at an input voltage equivalent to the capsule output at the specified SPL." | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 80 dBre 94 dB SPL, A-weighted; also 68 dB, CCIR | |
| Output impedance | 50 ohmrated | |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmrated load | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz"Frequency range 20 Hz...20 kHz"; p. 2 adds that the response "extends far below 20 Hz". | |
| Powering | phantom, 48 V ± 4 V (P48, IEC 61938)Any P48 supply giving at least 3 mA per channel (p. 2). | |
| Current draw | 3 mAThe 2005 manual's description says "48 V, 2.6 mA" (p. 2); its spec table also says 3 mA. | |
| Pad | −10 dB"The pre-attenuation switch reduces the microphone sensitivity by 10 dB"; switch on the back. Not shown in the graphs. | p. 2 |
| Connector | XLR-3Matching connector XLR3F; balanced, transformerless output; pin 1 ground, pin 2 +, pin 3 -. The 2005 manual calls it a "3-pin Switchcraft connector". | p. 3 |
| Weight | 625 g | |
| Dimensions | 60 × 152 mmPrinted as "60 mm x 152 mm": diameter x length. | |
| Supplied accessories | Dust cover; Wooden boxTLM 170 R (mt). The Stereo Set is two mics, two EA 170 elastic suspensions, dust covers and an aluminium case. | p. 2 |
| Max. output voltage | 10 dBu | p. 3 |
| Operating temperature | 0 °C to +70 °C | |
| Remote pattern control | Switch position "R": the pattern is chosen from the N 248 power supply; the output is muted while the pattern changes | p. 2 |
| Versions | TLM 170 R (nickel) and TLM 170 R mt (matte black) | |
| Selected accessories | EA 170 elastic suspension, MNV 87 auditorium hanger, DS 120 mount, PS 15 / PS 20 a popscreens, WS 87 windscreen, BS 48 i battery supplies, N 248 power supply, IC 3 mt / IC 4 / IC 31 mt cables | p. 3 |
| From the manual 2005 | ||
| Capsule | Dual-diaphragm, large-diaphragm"Its grille houses a dual-membrane capsule with a particularly linear frequency response for all polar patterns". Diaphragm size not stated. | p. 2 |
| Sensitivity | −42 dBV/Pa (8 mV/Pa)1 kHz into 1 kohm. "The output sensitivity is 8 mV/Pa = –42 dB re. 1 V/Pa." | |
| Dynamic range | 130 dBDIN/IEC 651, without the pad. "providing, without any switch-over, a dynamic range of 130 dB (DIN/IEC 651)". | |
| Low cut | off, 100 Hz; 100 Hz"a switchable high-pass; –3 dB point at 30 Hz in LIN position, or 100 Hz". "off" here is the LIN position. The 100 Hz setting flattens the proximity effect at about 25 cm in cardioid and 50 cm in figure-8 (p. 4). | |
| Diffuse-field response | Flat for sound arriving within about ±100° up to 10 kHz in every pattern, so the diffuse-field response follows the on-axis curves | p. 3 |
| Mount | Elastically mounted swivel bracket with 5/8"-27 thread (adapter to 1/2" and 3/8"); can be moved to the other side or removed for the EA 170 | |
Documents
- TLM 170 R operating manual, 06/2010 (069620/A05), English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Italian
- TLM 170 R Bedienungsanleitung / Operating Instructions, Publ. 04/0569620/A04
- GN-Info 92007, 11/1992: "Fernumschaltbares Kondensatormikrophon TLM 170 R"product announcement, German
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.