Neumann - TLM 49

in my studio i have the töm 49 and i am very happy with that vintage aound for singing. the 103 or the 414 i would need for corporate work. still not sure if i really want that kind of vintage toning in the voice. since the room is not treated at the moment i tend more to the 414.

Hard to narrow down, but here’s 5+ mics I like more: Voiceover: TLM49 or TLM103 depending on the voice ADR: Schoeps CMIT 5U, MKH416, Cos11d Music (vocals): C12 (or any of the C12-inspired mics), SM7b, U47 tube or fet, and then completely out of my price range but of course a great mic is the Sony C800G

If I was working with that budget, I’d take a strong look at the Blue Blueberry, Blue Mouse, or Austrian Audio OC18. When I was looking for a microphone upgrade last Spring, I initially wanted the TLM103 but found it too harsh in the top. While doing some research, I found the OC18 and highly considered it but the fact that it was being pushed by audio influencers turned me off. But truthfully, it does sound creamy and full to my ears and if I could go back in time, I’d probably have given it more consideration. I ultimately went up a tier and got a TLM49 (which I don’t love). The Blueberry and Mouse are discontinued but you can find them used within your budget. I genuinely believe I’m gonna get another Blue microphone eventually and the Mouse is what I’d currently lean towards. That said, your chain is only as strong as your weakest link. Whatever you spend on a mic, spend a similar amount on an interface. And your acoustic treatment should be considered too. The higher quality microphones are made to pick up tiny details, and that includes acoustic issues. If you can’t treat your recording space, get a dynamic mic.

Those are great for shows/touring. But for vocals, you definitely want a condenser. I used the MXL for years, and then I got a VERY good deal on Amazon on a Neumann.

I have an mxl condenser mic that works well, but just bought a Neumann condenser mic off Amazon. In the studio, they always said they used the $4k Neumann on me. Not sure that it is a knock off, but supposedly the same one Billie eillish uses and it sounds great. Under $400.

It matters massively and you’ll see that with experience your ears will learn to recognise the difference. It doesn’t matter how much you process a 57, it won’t compare to a Neumann, no matter what you do to it. It might sound cool in a different way, but you won’t get the high fidelity of a top notch condenser, if that’s the sound you’re going for. Think about this: If you go for an “expensive” vocal sound and have a U 87 and maybe a nice compressor, you won’t need to process it much, maybe a bit of eq and some reverb / delay. In that case you’d be MIXing. If you have a 57, you’ll have to use a ton of processing to make it sound more “expensive”. You’ll have to use multiple compressors, color eqs, cut resonances, etc. in that case you would be FIXing. Makes sense?