Recording - May 2014 - 40

B Y PA U L V N U K J R .

just impressive! And that trend continues with the new TLM 107; it's the company's first multipattern condenser mic to fall below $2000.
Like the TLM 102, the TLM 107 has no illusions of trying to sound like any of
the Neumann greats of yesteryear. Instead this microphone focuses on clarity and
uncolored tonality, thanks to its modern capsule design as well as innovative circuit design and controls. Readers should be aware that while the TLM 107 does
share a similar design philosophy and even some sonic characteristics heard in
the TLM 102, the TLM 107 is not simply a TLM 102 that offers multiple polar patterns; as we'll see and hear, it has a very appealing character all its own.
The newest number 7
Romantically I like to think that Neumann reserves the number 7 for microphones
that are destined to be cornerstones in their line. I shouldn't give away the ending
of my review so early, but I do think the TLM 107 is destined to be just that.
Starting with the physical: the TLM 107, like all Neumann mics, is handmade
in Germany. It measures roughly 53/4" tall by 21/2" across and weighs just shy
of a pound. It is available in either black or nickel with a matching double mesh
grille. While its size and shape nods toward many of Neumann's past TLM models like the TLM 103, it's much more sculpted and modern-looking.
It comes in a simple package with a wooden, foam rubber-lined box and a
standard mic mount. Neumann have created a brand new shock mount design,
the EA-4, which fits not only the TLM 107, but the TLM 102 and 103 as well; it's
available as an option.
Inside
The pressure gradient transducer/capsule in the TLM 107 is a completely new
design made for this mic. Its does however draw heavily on the capsule found
in Neumann's all digital D 01 (Solution-D) mic, which is likewise known for its
transparent fidelity. It is a dual-diaphragm, edge-terminated design with both
diaphragms set to ground voltage. This helps make the capsule less sensitive to
both humidity and dust particles. As any Neumann user will know, the TLM designation means the electronics are transformerless.

Neumann TLM 107

Condenser Microphone

Modern touches to classic tone create a modern legend
I can't think of a better place than in this megamicrophone issue to introduce our readers to the
latest mic from Neumann, the TLM 107.
With a history of creating some of the most
legendary microphones of all time, Neumann
continues to this day creating mics, such as the
U87AI, that are benchmarks against which
other microphones are judged. The downside
is that most Neumann models come with fairly
substantial price tags. Until recently, that is!
A few years ago Neumann created the company's first large-diaphragm condenser microphone to fall well below the $1000 mark: the
cardioid TLM 102. At an average street price
of $699, this was a neutral-flavored Neumann
aimed squarely at the growing market of home
and project studios. As we saw in Paul
Stamler's review of it in our April 2010 issue, it
is an impressive mic-not "for the price," it's
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RECORDING May 2014

The TLM 107 features five selectable polar patterns: Omni, Wide Cardioid,
Cardioid, Hypercardioid, and Figure-8. It also features two levels of signal attenuation, -6 dB and -12 dB, and lastly it has not one but two available highpass
filters, with corner frequencies set at 40 Hz and 100 Hz.
On its own this is a pretty healthy feature set, but it is how the settings are
accessed and controlled that really puts the TLM 107 over the top. All of the functions and settings on the TLM 107 are digitally controlled. This is not a new idea
and we have seen it before in mics from AKG and Lewitt, but the way Neumann
chose to implement it is unique and appealing.
One Joystick to rule them all
Much like the touch wheel on pre-touchscreen generation iPods, where one
dial controlled a host of functions, the TLM 107 uses a tiny silver pushbutton/joystick to scroll through and select your settings.
Using the joystick is simple. Once the microphone is hooked up to phantom
power, simply push the joystick in. This illuminates the current settings on the mic
with very bright white LED backlighting and activates the navigation controls.
To the left of the joystick are the mic's attenuation settings, to the right are the
highpass filter choices, and under the joystick are illuminated symbols for each

Recording - May 2014

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