Neumann TLM103 (vs) Soundelux U195

KLINKDETROIT

KLINKDETROIT

New member
Looking for a good vocal mic / electric guitar mic for my home studio. I have done some research and for the money these seem to be the ones I am interested in although I am no expert and your advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks










By VIRTUAL KEVORKIAN

Personally, not a fan of condensors on distorted guitars, but they can sound pretty cool if used correctly.

That said, I think you mean the Soundelux U195? They don't make a 187, but Nuemann makes a U87 (2.5K mic, though).


I'd personally go with the Neumann - tried and true, and I love the overall sound of Neumann's.

I'd also look into some cheaper condensors, as well - try a few out for yourself and decide if the extra $$ is worth it, especially for a home studio. The Audio Technica AT4040 and AT4033 are excellent, cheaper condensors, as is the RØDE NTK.
 
Re: Neumann TLM103 (vs) Soundelux U195

Personally, I don't see what all the fuss is about with condensors for vocals. A good dynamic mic (like an SM-7 or an RE-20, even a sennheiser MD-421) with a nice preamp is going to sound great with blues/metal/rock/rap/powerful vocals of any kind, and will probably be easier to get a great guitar sound with too . . . if you're doing some jazz singing, or have a soft spoken female vocal, or want to record acoustic guitars then it might be better to try out some condensors. That said, for the price of a U87 you could get a nice dynamic mic (for electric guitar/vocals), a nice small-diaphragm condensor (for acoustic guitar), and a very nice preamp . . . just a suggestion . . .
 
Re: Neumann TLM103 (vs) Soundelux U195

I do alot of breathy stuf as well as screaming and singinging so I definately want a large diaphram condensor mic. I have a Neumann kms105 for live use and use it for scratch tracks in pro tools but nothing can compare to a large diaphram mic for my taste. Thanks for the advice.
 
Re: Neumann TLM103 (vs) Soundelux U195

I haven't heard great things about the TLM mic, nothing special. The Gefel mics are good in that range and have the Neumann heritage, and I second the AT mics but personally the 4050 or 4060 are the ones I liked.

I just tracked some vocals using an SM57 and a MindPrint mic pre and they sound pretty good...I've owned the SM7 (Metallica) as well and that's a great dynamic mic.
 
Re: Neumann TLM103 (vs) Soundelux U195

Whuddaya got around for micamps?

The TLM 103 is really really picky about what it gets plugged into. Sounds HORRIBLY shrill through any kind of "Neve-ish" pre but amazingly good though my old Telefunkens, pretty good through API's...

The U195 OTOH is a great mic...highly useful on vocals, bass amps, kick drums, room mics, horns...a great all-rounder. Having said that, I've never put one up on an electric guitar amp.

I recommend trying to put your hands on these things in your own studio for a bit before commiting $1K plus on 'em...I dunno...large diaphragm, small diaphragm...dynamics vs. condensors....

None of it really matters...all that matters is what it sounds like in the end. How does the mic couple with the singers voice or whuddever the source may be?

I was got back from a week of tracking at a KILLER shop in PA (www.redrockrecording) that had anything you could want in the mic cabinet...U47, U67, old 414EB's with the CK12 capsules...I ended up picking a Sennheiser 441 (dynamic) for the singer...of all the various things I tried that sounded the best on her voice...so 'ya know...nothing is absolute.

Try one of these fine folks...

www.atlasproaudio.com

www.mercenary.com

Good luck!
 
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