The Neumann TLM 103 was introduced in 1997 during a period when professional recording equipment was increasingly being used outside traditional commercial studios. Neumann positioned the microphone as a more affordable alternative to the U 87 Ai for project studios, home recording and broadcast applications, while retaining a large-diaphragm capsule design related to the U 87 family.
At the centre of the TLM 103 is the K 103 large-diaphragm pressure-gradient capsule. Neumann identifies the K 103 as a capsule introduced with the TLM 103 in 1997 and derived from the classic K 67/K 87 design. Unlike the multi-pattern U 87, the TLM 103 operates exclusively with a cardioid polar pattern. There are no external switches for polar pattern, pre-attenuation or filtering.
The capsule has a broad presence rise above approximately 5 kHz rather than an electronically applied equalisation characteristic. Its specified frequency response extends from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The microphone has a sensitivity of 23 mV/Pa and an A-weighted equivalent noise level of only 7 dB-A, resulting in an A-weighted signal-to-noise ratio of 87 dB.
The TLM 103 belongs to Neumann’s transformerless microphone family and uses a FET amplifier with a transformerless output stage. This avoids the output transformer used in microphones such as the U 87 Ai. The microphone operates from standard 48 V phantom power and draws approximately 3 mA. Its rated output impedance is 50 ohms, with a specified minimum load impedance of 1 kohm.
A maximum SPL of 138 dB for 0.5% THD is specified without requiring a pre-attenuation pad. Combined with the 7 dB-A equivalent noise level, this provides a specified dynamic range of 131 dB. Neumann lists applications including speech, vocals, drums, guitar amplifiers and piano, as well as spot microphone duties in classical recording for instruments such as cello and double bass.
The standard current-production TLM 103 is offered in nickel, while the TLM 103 mt is the corresponding black-finish version. The “mt” designation does not denote a different capsule or electronic design. Neumann also offers the microphone in several packages including studio, mono and stereo sets, but these differ in supplied mounting hardware, cases and microphone quantities rather than representing separate TLM 103 microphone designs.
Features
- Large-diaphragm K 103 pressure-gradient condenser capsule introduced with the TLM 103
- Capsule design derived from the Neumann K 67/K 87 family
- Fixed cardioid polar pattern
- Transformerless FET output circuitry
- Broad presence rise above approximately 5 kHz
- 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response
- 7 dB-A equivalent self-noise
- 23 mV/Pa sensitivity
- 138 dB maximum SPL without pre-attenuation
- 131 dB dynamic range
- 48 V phantom-powered operation
- Available in nickel and black current-production finishes