Neumann TLM 170 - any experiences?

[MrVelvet]

Hi,

I'm just in a session with classical work (harpsichords) and got a pair of TLM 170's (seemingly old ones with the purple Neumann logo) which sound very nice...

I'm thinking of getting a pair myself... What do they usually go for? Is there a difference between old ones and newer ones?

And what do you think of them/use them for?

I remember using a U87 (which I found boring) and a TLM 103 (which I found strident and somewhat cheap), but these are quite nice.... They still have that Neumann mid-bump which I don't favour in general, but they have a great sound overall, especially with the Cranesong Flamingo and UA 2192 which I'm using here.

Thanks

[d_fu]

Originally Posted by MrVelvet

I'm thinking of getting a pair myself... What do they usually go for?

Used ones have been selling for around € 1000 on ebay recently.

And what do you think of them/use them for?

Don't have one... I believe it's very versatile, though.

They still have that Neumann mid-bump which I don't favour in general, but they have a great sound overall, especially with the Cranesong Flamingo and UA 2192 which I'm using here.

What kind of session is this? Just curious...

Daniel

[Fletcher]

It was never a favorite but I did manage to get a good GTR sound with it once [in about 1985-86 on Joe Perry doing an overdub on a Buddy Guy record that was never released].

[davebl@dircon.c]

Id prefere it to a U87 by a long way. used for VO work and quite uncolored bearing in mind its a neumann. The clasical boys like them as spot mics. By preference Id get a Gefell UM70S or UMT70S or perhaps UM930 as alternatives I think if I was looking at that sort of mic.

[d_fu]

Originally Posted by davebl@dircon.c

The clasical boys like them as spot mics.

They do indeed... See picture, taken before a radio recording at at church where I was recording another choir concert, just before the one to be recorded for the radio...

[Jim Williams]

It's basically a nice transformerless U-89. Do avoid the newer ones as they had problems with the amplifiers failing like on the M-150. The originals from the 80's are reliable and more importantly, repairable.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

[Dan]

I've got the older one, and dig it. That's pretty much my experience; it's a transformerless U89. The pattern selection is nice, and it's a basic work horse microphone. If you find a U87 boring, I can't see how a 170 would excite you. It's got a slightly different amplifier section, and is usually considered a little "cleaner." They're not all that different though.

[MrVelvet]

Thanks! I'm doing classical recordings right now.

Well, I haven't heard the U87 in a while but I remember some frequencies were unnerving to me... Not the case with the 170... It's not exciting in a way, but it seems to deliver... Will I have to get a matched pair for stereo work?

How would the UM 930 sound in comparison?

Thanks a lot!

[davebl@dircon.c]

UM 930 is a very, very nice mic. TLM170 is just a nice mic. Both are prefered to a U89 by me at least.

[Greg Wells]

I've used this mic many times for everything - vocals, piano, drums, etc..... it's great.

[MrVelvet]

Originally Posted by Greg Wells

I've used this mic many times for everything - vocals, piano, drums, etc..... it's great.

Which one, Greg? The Gefell? Thanks!

[Greg Wells]

The TLM 170.

[mischultz]

Used one last year for VO to match a previous session with the same talent. Absolutely no complaints from me. Very much a "there" sound.

Michael

[krs]

Ridiculously accurate microphone. Tight patterns - awesome for classical work. Wish I could afford a pair - highly recommended.

[Bob Ross]

Originally Posted by Dan

If you find a U87 boring, I can't see how a 170 would excite you.

Exactly. The TLM-170 is my go-to mic when I want a neutral, character-less, totally invisible mic (but with the off-axis response & proximity effect of an LDC). It's often so uncolored as to be boring. The U-87 is my go-to mic when I want U-87 mojo: that plush, protuberant midrange grease. Sounds nice on just about anything, but never "uncolored" & hence never "boring". Just sometimes "wrong."

For that reason I rarely use a TLM-170 on voices, but a lot for 'cello, string bass, electric bass (super close-miking the speaker), woodwinds, and clean electric guitar.

[channelcat]

Originally Posted by Bob Ross

For that reason I rarely use a TLM-170 on voices, but a lot for 'cello, string bass, electric bass (super close-miking the speaker), woodwinds, and clean electric guitar.

The TLM-170 was my first pro mic. I had used them so much when I attended MTSU that I knew I wanted one in my arsenal. I'd used them on bass cab, upright bass, room mic for drums and guitar cabs (distance mic), Leslie cab, and as a 3rd OH (center) for a huge Bonham sound. I'm sure there are a few other sources that I'm forgetting. Now, I just wish I had a Russ Berger designed room (like at MTSU) to use mine in. FWIW - TLM-170 through a Hardy M-1 is really nice.

Stu

[Plush]

Of course TLM 170 is good and the purple badge ones are very good.
It is a standard issue valued mic in any instance where accuracy is needed.

Endorsed by those who know!

Buy them used.

[rwhitney]

I've been using a pair made in the late 1980s for every kind of music (esp. classical) for a long time. They aren't hyped like most Neumann mics, they even have a dip around 5k, and can handle very high SPLs. Anyway, it's very versatile and a little classier sounding than a C414. I have never had a complaint about the sound of these mics.

[ctms777]

I like the TLM170 on midrange heavy sources, like female, opera-singers or woodwinds. Can work well on guitaramps or drumoverheads too.

The TLM170 makes things blend (or disappear a little) in a mix, a u87 makes them stand out, both are very different sounding. I once made the mistake to use a TLM170 for voiceover, wouldn't recommend that.

I know in the classical world some people like them as spotmics for cello or bass, but I personally don't really like them there.

[staudio]

I love the TLM 170 for acoustic instruments that don't need flattery, just neutral capturing. I have used it with very good results on upright bass, sax, and clarinet. A very smooth mic to my ears.

[staudio]

Originally Posted by krs

Ridiculously accurate microphone. Tight patterns - awesome for classical work. Wish I could afford a pair - highly recommended.

My feeling exactly.

[Reborn]

I used a TLM-170 to track some of the best Male Rap and singing vocals of my life. There was additional coloration though. A custom very high voltage Tube Mic =Pre designed by the chief engineer of the studio and a ADL-1000 (LA-2A Clone by Anthony demaria labs with a 6K presence peak in it's tone) for compression to a Studer tape machine. So there was alot of color in the path compared to todays digital recording. It gave a cleaner bigger image of the artistthan a U87 while still taking EQ very well. Though I think we didn't end up EQuing it. Sounded fantastic!


Jazztone

[nas]

Previous TLM170 owner here - very good all round mic. Excelled on acoustic instruments and V.O. work. Used the variable polar patterns a lot and got quite a bit of mileage out of this mic. An excellent choice for a "neutral" sound.

[Yoda117]

Originally Posted by ctms777

The TLM170 makes things blend (or disappear a little) in a mix, a u87 makes them stand out, both are very different sounding. I once made the mistake to use a TLM170 for voiceover, wouldn't recommend that.

Depends. When used on it's own, or with a light music bed it does the trick.

For some reason, they seem to love using them in the studios for a lot of places where I go to do industrial narration. After all is said and done, it doesn't sound bad, but you're right that it's no U87 when it comes to voiceover.

[klaukholm]

Originally Posted by Jim Williams

It's basically a nice transformerless U-89. Do avoid the newer ones as they had problems with the amplifiers failing like on the M-150. The originals from the 80's are reliable and more importantly, repairable.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

I presume you mean the TLM50 as I have not heard of issues of that nature with the M150 (we have 5)

We have 7 tlm 170s here and we like them very much for orchestral spot duties.
never harsh and always natural sounding.

These are very good mics. My one critisism is they can sound a bit "gray" or dullish.
It would, however, still be my desert island orchestral spot.

[De chromium cob]

Works exceptionally well as a front of kick mic... 'a la the 47FET