Pearlman TM1

[lostinmusic]

Just wanted to share my feelings about this mic for all those who may be interested..

I've been a professional composer/producer for 15 yrs+ now but managed to spend the majority of that time working with samples and synths. I only really started using/learning about mics & pres quite recently (2-3 yrs ago) and have been on quite an expensive learning curve since then.

I've used Shure - Rode - Audio Technica - cheaper Neumanns - more expensive Neumanns - Soundelux - Peluso - Gefell etc etc etc and have generally managed to work with whatever I've been using but this TM1 is something else. It's the first time I've heard a mic that seems to make a great sound whatever you throw at it. It just puts a grin on my face when I record anything. I've been using it with the Great River - maybe this is some kind of magic combination, I don't know. Present highs without ever being edgey, colourful but 'open' mids and an amazing low end.

I deliberately waited a few weeks before posting this as I've learnt from past experience that it's easy to big up new gear but honestly, regardless of price, this for me is not almost there, it's there. Done. I've never demoed a Wunder or Wagner but I do own a few of the models listed above and this is, as I said before, the first time I've felt 'that's it'.

All I'm saying is that if you're in the market for a great tube mic for not silly money then you owe it to yourself to demo one of these. I'm demoing a TM2 soon too...

[gsqd]

Welcome to the "Pearlman Party".

Great mics from a great guy - who just happens to know the best places to get fish 'n' chips in LA!

Now that's a bloody good combination if ever I saw one!

<GM>

[Dean Roddey]

I just got one recently as well. I really like it. I'm not mega-gear maven (though I will be some day. Oh yes, I will be), so I can't compare it to all kinds of boutique mics, but it's a great mic, and for the price it's a no-brainer. Doesn't have quite the fit and finish of a factory type of product, but that's no biggie for me. It's the sound that matters.

[dan p]

I am with you on that.I think the tm1 is a great mic.I second the motion with the great river pre.There's one of those in my studio too.
My other mic is a u87ai.Tm1 is less money and a comparable mic imo.
I have also run an avalon 737 with my tm1.Gotta luv it ay!

Dan P

[AMIEL]

Hi Lostinmusic!

Knowing that Pearlman Mics have Peluso Capsules...what is the difference with the Peluso Mics in this case .... the 2247 ?????

Why its better? as you said..you owned Peluso's...can you explain why do you prefer the Pearlman?


***I heard the Pearlman TM1 with the Pacifica sounds great!@

[Brent Hahn]

Originally Posted by gsqd

... a great guy - who just happens to know the best places to get fish 'n' chips in LA!

Hmmm... there's the Robin Hood (right near his house), Fox & Hounds at Ventura & Vineland... where else?

[mindkontrolle]

Pearlman = AWESOME

mine doesn't have an peluso capsule

[AMIEL]

Originally Posted by mindkontrolle

Pearlman = AWESOME

mine doesn't have an peluso capsule

Really???

So what is the deal with the Pearlman Capsules???

[gsqd]

The one we have here has a genuine Neumann 47 cap' and a Telefunken EF15 tube.

Wonderful machine.

<GM>

[infopimpster]

I have an LE on the way.

[Bierce85]

Originally Posted by lostinmusic

It just puts a grin on my face when I record anything.

I know the feeling.

Here's a clip of a friend of mine doing some quick vocals/guitar for a school project in an untreated bedroom. TM1 on vocals, AT4041 on the guitar into an RME Fireface preamp. No EQ or compression whatsoever..

[SK1]

My only regret is that I didn't get a stereo pair.

Great,great mic

What are they going for now??? I know there's been a price increase since I bought mine.

[JOliver]

no offense but did you tune that guitar before he played that because it sounds quite out of tune

[rcm]

Originally Posted by gsqd

Great mics from a great guy - who just happens to know the best places to get fish 'n' chips in LA!

Now that's a bloody good combination if ever I saw one!

The new studio I am building is a 4 minute walk from Penguins Fish & Chips in LA. I am stoked.

Pearlman mics are way cool.

[Kyle Ashley]

this thread is making me hungry.

oh yeah...TM-1s are great too!

[gsqd]

Originally Posted by rcm

The new studio I am building is a 4 minute walk from Penguins Fish & Chips in LA. I am stoked.

Pearlman mics are way cool.

Not been to Penguins yet.

The new studio I'm building is miles away from any decent chippy - disaster!

I'm jealous!

I guess I'll have to come over that way and buy you lunch sometime.

<GM>

[dan p]

Just recorded the wife singing thru TM1 AND GREAT RIVER mp2nv!
Smooth silky and warm!She likes it.Great combo.

Dan P

[Killahurts]

Originally Posted by lostinmusic

Just wanted to share my feelings about this mic for all those who may be interested..

I've been a professional composer/producer for 15 yrs+ now but managed to spend the majority of that time working with samples and synths. I only really started using/learning about mics & pres quite recently (2-3 yrs ago) and have been on quite an expensive learning curve since then.

I've used Shure - Rode - Audio Technica - cheaper Neumanns - more expensive Neumanns - Soundelux - Peluso - Gefell etc etc etc and have generally managed to work with whatever I've been using but this TM1 is something else. It's the first time I've heard a mic that seems to make a great sound whatever you throw at it. It just puts a grin on my face when I record anything. I've been using it with the Great River - maybe this is some kind of magic combination, I don't know. Present highs without ever being edgey, colourful but 'open' mids and an amazing low end.

I deliberately waited a few weeks before posting this as I've learnt from past experience that it's easy to big up new gear but honestly, regardless of price, this for me is not almost there, it's there. Done. I've never demoed a Wunder or Wagner but I do own a few of the models listed above and this is, as I said before, the first time I've felt 'that's it'.

All I'm saying is that if you're in the market for a great tube mic for not silly money then you owe it to yourself to demo one of these. I'm demoing a TM2 soon too...

I'm not afraid to admit that I have an emotional attachment to this mic, and you shouldn't be either.


Dave, your baby is an irreplaceable part of my sound!

[keepthefaith]

cool thread, I'm shopping also for a new mic...
wonder if anymore compared the TM1 with the lawson 47 mk2 ?

[A440]

I'm totally positive about the TM-1 too, I have one with an EF-13 tube and partner it up with a Phoenix Audio DRS-2. It just sounds bloody gorgeous...on pretty much anything. I was using it on French Horn today and the sound was heavenly.

Oh yeah...and I now have an urge to pop down the chip shop!

[emkay]

Originally Posted by gsqd

Welcome to the "Pearlman Party".

Great mics from a great guy - who just happens to know the best places to get fish 'n' chips in LA!

Now that's a bloody good combination if ever I saw one!

<GM>

You talking about the "King's Head" in Santa Monica?

[infopimpster]

Anyone have an Pearlman TM-LE yet?

Pearlman Microphones - Pearlman LE

I'm on edge... not much info out there... can't wait!

[gsqd]

Originally Posted by emkay

You talking about the "King's Head" in Santa Monica?

The King's Head does indeed do very good F+C. In fact I think it's the very first place (literally) I went to on my first business trip out here in 2000. I've been there numerous times since and it's somewhere we always take Brits when they visit.

Dave P has a British boozer near him that does excellent lunchtime food, including F+C.

There are also a couple in the Valley that have very good Brit food.

How cool is this thread? Fish 'n' Chips + great mics = heaven!

<GM>

[CoteRotie]

Can anybody compare the TM1 with the AT4060? I have the 4060, considering getting the TM1 if it's different enough.

Thanks,

John

[Jackie Treehorn]

Just wanted to add the usual caveat that no one mic is ideal for everyone.

I bought a Pearlman a couple years ago after reading a bunch of threads with unanimous praise (just like this one). Unfortunately, the mic disagreed with my (raspy) voice. I found a couple other mics that gave much better results and ended up selling the Pearlman after a few months (tried it with Great River and Pendulum pres, btw).

That said, Dave is a heck of a nice guy and a pleasure to deal with. I would certainly consider trying another one of his models at some point.

Signed,
A Wallflower at the Pearlman Party

[The Beatsmith]

for as long as i've read these forums, and for as long as these mics have been out, i haven't heard anyone be able to tell me what the difference is (sound wise) between the pearlman tm1 and the peluso 2247LE... i have always assumed they sounded pretty identical?

testing them for myself, in the UK, is a little difficult

[Killahurts]

Originally Posted by Jackie Treehorn

Just wanted to add the usual caveat that no one mic is ideal for everyone....

A Wallflower at the Pearlman Party

Of course that's true!

But you're still welcome here, come on over and have some fish & chips!

[emkay]

Originally Posted by gsqd

The King's Head does indeed do very good F+C. In fact I think it's the very first place (literally) I went to on my first business trip out here in 2000. I've been there numerous times since and it's somewhere we always take Brits when they visit.

Dave P has a British boozer near him that does excellent lunchtime food, including F+C.

There are also a couple in the Valley that have very good Brit food.

How cool is this thread? Fish 'n' Chips + great mics = heaven!

<GM>

So which valley joint compares to the King's Head? I'm in Studio City. Most of them around here are pretty average and greasy.

[AMIEL]

Originally Posted by The Beatsmith

for as long as i've read these forums, and for as long as these mics have been out, i haven't heard anyone be able to tell me what the difference is (sound wise) between the pearlman tm1 and the peluso 2247LE... i have always assumed they sounded pretty identical?

testing them for myself, in the UK, is a little difficult

I hear you!!!

[johnnybregar]

for as long as i've read these forums, and for as long as these mics have been out, i haven't heard anyone be able to tell me what the difference is (sound wise) between the pearlman tm1 and the peluso 2247LE... i have always assumed they sounded pretty identical?

I can tell you what I've found, having owned both. Sometime in the near future I can post clips for everyone (which also include a U48, 47 FET, and a U67).

BUT.... and this is a Big But....

I've had a recent revelation that cannot be discounted. I'm sure many of you already knew this, but I did not. If you take a tube mic with xy tube in it, buy 4 more xy tubes and swap them out one at a time, you will get very subtle - but definitely noticeable, audible differences between one and the other. A bit more bass, or mids, different highs etc. AND, as we all know - capsules can have some variability as well.

So, that said, here's the difference that I have heard so far between the two:

1. The Pearlman (American Tube) has slightly more low end than the Peluso 2247 LE (that I had).
2. The Peluso had a slight high end "sheen" to it - just a bit of breathiness that didn't work with my voice, but worked well with other folks.
3. The Pearlman has a bit more thick mids at around 250-300.

The differences are quite subtle. They are both exceedingly excellent mics which hold up very well against some of the most revered microphones in history.

I'm currently working on a record using the Pearlman and I am really impressed with that mic. Really, really impressed.

Going back to my Big But above.... I would say that both of these mics (Pearlman/Peluso) are sweet. If you aren't hearing exactly what you want to hear from them (keeping in mind that both are designed to be mid-forward, bigger than life sounding mics without a lot of hype), I would try swapping tubes. It really does make a difference.

jb