Neumann TLM 107

The TLM 107 from Neumann is a large diaphragm condenser microphone, certainly one of the most versatile models of the brand. It offers 5 polar patterns and an innovative operating concept, ensuring the restitution of a signal without coloration. This versatility allows it to have an exceptional behavior whatever the sound pressure level: it captures everything, from the softest whispers to thunderous drums.

For the studio, broadcasting and demanding home studio applications. With its classic proportions combined with an elegant line and an innovative concept, the TLM 107 perfectly embodies the Neumann philosophy: innovation based on tradition. Far from evoking a vintage or retro nostalgia, the TLM 107 is an impressive and modern studio microphone. Its high-precision reproduction with a wide performance spectrum, very close to the original, makes the TLM 107 universally usable, bringing a creative freedom hitherto unknown in Mixing and post-production. Neumann Engineering The newly designed capsule, inspired by one of Neumann's high-end microphones, the D-01, impresses with its outstanding impulse fidelity. The high coherence of the five polar patterns, omnidirectional, cardioid and figure-8, plus the intermediate patterns of wide cardioid and hypercardioid, is also unusual for a large-diaphragm capsule.

The TLM 107 does not only deliver optimum sound with the cardioid setting; it also ensures maximum precision across the entire frequency range for all other directivity characteristics. The sound always remains balanced, with a nearly linear reproduction up to 8 kHz, and a slight bump in the higher frequencies that gives the voice presence and clarity. In this context, special attention was paid to the natural reproduction of speech sounds, especially sibilants in "s". The grille is acoustically optimized for low sensitivity to plosives. In addition, the transducer is connected at the edge, with both diaphragms to ground. More precisely, this ensures a considerable reduction in sensitivity to dust and moisture. Uncompromising sound design The transformerless circuit enables a high level of linearity and a wide dynamic range. The self-noise of only 10 dB-A is practically inaudible, while at the same time the TLM 107 accepts very high sound levels. The maximum permissible sound pressure level of 141 dB SPL can be increased to 153 dB SPL thanks to the pre-attenuation (Pad). This allows the TLM 107 to transmit the sound of the most powerful instruments without distortion. The settings of the low-cut filter (linear, 40 Hz and 100 Hz) are precisely adapted to the concrete recording situations. Without unwanted phenomena, the 40 Hz filter cuts out unwanted noise below the fundamental range (41 Hz is the frequency of the open E string of a double bass), while the 100 Hz filter is optimized for speech and singing (100 Hz corresponds to the lowest notes of a baritone). Innovative operating concept For the first time, all microphone setup functions are intuitively controlled by a navigation button. The illuminated directivity display in the chrome ring is a visual indicator, while the pre-attenuator and low-cut filter settings are indicated by LEDs to the left and right of the button. To avoid distracting singers, the button and display are located on the back of the microphone. After 15 seconds, the displays switch off automatically.