Neumann TLM 49 Professional Microphone

The TLM 49 has a good frequency response for vocals. It's tapered sound with rolled off ultra lows and accentuated upper mids in the 4500hz area, makes it well suited for vocals and acoustic guitar. It'a also terrific on drum overheads. I like at as much as my M149, and even more than my u87 on vocals.

I went from a NTK, to a K2, to a Mojave MA-200 to a Peluso 22 47 shorty to a Peluso VTB and then finally to the TLM49. I have to tell you...this mic rocks!I LOVE the sound on vocals and acoustic guitar. I have a Great River 1NV preamp a RNP pre amp and a RNC compressor and it sounds great with any combination. Big HUGE sound. Slight presence rise in the upper freq and the mid to mid bass fullness (not overbearing at all) is just awesome. Also the very lows are rolled off which is actually great for vox so you do not need a hi pass filter. BY far the FINEST mic I have ever owned. You would definitely not be sorry with this fine mic. Smooth "finished" sound. Worth every penny!

I bught it for $950, I like TLM 49 sound........for price $950 not for price $1500....., I compare it with Shure KSM 32 ($500 new)but i am not shure what is better ????????

This is not a detailed review but rather my opinion of this microphone.

On the positive side I bought this mic through ebay to half the price of what it costs here in Norway. I paid about $1100 dollars for it. Here in Norway it costs about $2200 on sale and $2700 full price. This is just silly. Never buy gear in Norway unless you want to waste your money!

Anyway, this microphone is big and heavy compared to the other two microphones I'v currently got (AKG 414 XL II and Shure KSM32). You need a solid microphone stand for it.

Compared to my AKG 414 XL II TLM49 is brighter. I also feel it has less warmess and air in the sound than the 414 has. It's easy to hear your voice through it, but not directly plesant. Where the 414 is more smooth and plesant the TLM49 is more bright, cold and narrow. I really miss a low frequency roll of switch like the 414 has, because tracking closer to the mic with a soft voice the TLM49 sounds better than singing loud from a distance.

I'm looking for a warm, open and clear microphone for vocals but have not found it with the TLM49.

I do like it for acoustic guitar thow. Here it is actually very good in my opinion. Sounds clear and more natural than 414 and the muddy KSM32. My $400 dollar Cort Earth 100H sounds pretty nice. I would imaging a good Martin guitar would sound even better.

I don't feel TLM49 is so good for vocals, but good for acoustic guitar.
This mic does not give me a wow effect for vocals, so Im going for a Neumann U87 next. But for guitar it's good.

I think I'll keep it because it works for acoustic guitar, but I'm not buying another one.

I knew that Neumann had a reputation of building quality microphones and I had listened to many audio examples of their microphones but I was completely blown away by the actual live quality of sound. I do have to say that although this mic is very versatile and can be used for vocals, guitars, drums, etc... I think it sounds better with a male voice. It has a very vintage "raspy" quality which I love, it has very low self noise, it's very sensitive and sounds so clear even without a preamp. Once you plug this in you will be very inspired to sing or play. It's a pricey mic but it's high quality and it's a Neumann. You get what you pay for and will not be disappointed. One complaint is that it is a little harsh when a female is singing in her upper register but I did not EQ it so I will see if I can get it where I want it.

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I upgraded from a KSM32 and this sounds skys about it. Neumann knows how to make mics. And this one is actually deigned for the vocals. Some say it sounds better one vocals than the U87, but of course its case by case, project by project.