The TLM 103 25th Anniversary Limited Edition large-diaphragm cardioid condenser mic — resplendent in its sumptuous, high-gloss nickel finish — is rich with that classic Neumann sound. Together with its transformerless circuitry and capsule drawn from the legendary U 87, the TLM 103 delivers robust voice and instrument reproduction with extremely low noise. Don’t let its price point fool you: the TLM 103 Anniversary Edition is an essential mic for the most discriminating pro studios. And due to its high SPL and minimal self-noise, it’s been used in everything from modern rock and pop productions to classical recordings, field sampling, and even Foley work. This mic is also robust enough for the live stage, as Jack White has employed the TLM 103 to mic amps in live situations. Capture epic Neumann character for yourself with the TLM 103 25th Anniversary Limited Edition. Only 500 of these exceptional microphones will be available worldwide, so grab yours from Sweetwater today!

Transformerless TLM technology

The letters TLM stand for “transformerless microphone.” With TLM technology the conventional output transformer is replaced by an electronic circuit that, as with traditional transformers, ensures good common-mode rejection and prevents RF interference that may affect the balanced audio signal.

U 87-derived mic capsule

The TLM 103 Anniversary Edition’s K 103 large-diaphragm capsule is based on the K 87, well known from the U 67/U 87 microphones. The capsule has a flat frequency response up to about 5kHz, and above that, a wide, flat 4dB presence boost. The large wire mesh head grille protects the capsule from plosive sounds and effectively prevents pop noises. These characteristics are achieved without resorting to corrective resonance effects. Therefore, the TLM 103 maintains an excellent impulse response and reproduces the details of music and speech without coloration. With the incredibly low self-noise level of the TLM 103, even the smallest signals are reproduced essentially noise-free. As it is capable of handling sound pressure levels up to 138dB without distortion, the TLM 103 provides a dynamic range of 131dB (A-weighted).

Clean, transparent audio pickup

The TLM 103 Anniversary Edition LDC utilizes a tried-and-true transformerless circuit similar to those found in high-end Neumann microphones. This gives it an otherwise impossibly low self-noise and the highest sound pressure level transmission possible. A highly musical-sounding cardioid polar pattern renders attenuated off-axis sound naturally while efficiently rejecting sound pickup from the rear. This results in high feedback suppression when the microphone is used in live situations or where loudspeaker playback is a factor.

Neumann TLM 103 25th Anniversary Limited Edition Microphone Features:

• An indispensable LDC for studio and stage
• Natural pickup of voice and instruments
• Capsule inspired by Neumann’s famed K 87
• Transformerless circuitry
• Minimal self-noise
• Frequency range: 20Hz–20kHz
• Maximum SPL for THD 0.5%2: 138dB
• Requires 48V phantom power
• Includes EA1 shockmount and Neumann briefcase