Neumann TLM-127

[John Willett]

The TLM 127 was designed as a poor man's U87 and was discontinued a few years ago.

It had remote switchable patterns (omni and cardioid only if you did not get the power supply that would switch patterns).

It was too expensive and never sold very well - it was too close to the U87 in price. When RoHS regulations came in the old stock was sold off cheap and Neumann did not make an RoHS compliant version.

It was actually a very nice mic., just priced that bit too high to sell.


Posted via the Gearslutz iPhone app

[Ward Pike]

Thanks, John. Neumann has attempted this more than once, methinks.

[AndyFromDenver]

Hi!
Wanted to revive this thread. I have had a tlm127 for about a year. Got it for $600 which I think was a great deal. I don't run a pro studio and only record a couple bands/ projects. I am wondering if there is a mic in the $1000 range used that clearly tops the tlm127, or if I should just be happy with it and make music. It's my only LDC, and my only references are a previous audio tech 4033, which I feel it way out performs and a 414 tlii (the older-ish '99 version) which I feel it is pretty similar to.
Also, can anyone explain what not being rohs compliant means for me? Is it a hazard to use? It's hard to get info on the mic.
I have a clip of it in action without eq/comp/fx through a neve portico 5012. The singer's range is similar to mine and I record her and myself singing mostly. Also, (clearly) it's doubled.
Thanks for your help!

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by AndyFromDenver

Hi!
Wanted to revive this thread. I have had a tlm127 for about a year. Got it for $600 which I think was a great deal. I don't run a pro studio and only record a couple bands/ projects. I am wondering if there is a mic in the $1000 range used that clearly tops the tlm127, or if I should just be happy with it and make music. It's my only LDC, and my only references are a previous audio tech 4033, which I feel it way out performs and a 414 tlii (the older-ish '99 version) which I feel it is pretty similar to.
Also, can anyone explain what not being rohs compliant means for me? Is it a hazard to use? It's hard to get info on the mic.
I have a clip of it in action without eq/comp/fx through a neve portico 5012. The singer's range is similar to mine and I record her and myself singing mostly. Also, (clearly) it's doubled.
Thanks for your help!

I think the US price for the TLM 127 was about $2,000 - so you got a bargain.

A new $1,000 mic. would be half the price of a 127.

[Duardo]

The TLM127 was essentially a multipattern version of the TLM103. It had a center-terminated capsule like the U87 and TLM103 (as opposed to the more neutral edge-terminated capsule of the U89/TLM170/TLM193) and is transformerless (like the TLM103, but unlike the U87).

[AndyFromDenver]

Ok. Thanks! I'll either keep saving for a real knockout mic or use the money towards something else. I hear clips online of older u87s and other vintage mega expensive mics and it makes me wish...

[Grummy77]

Originally Posted by AndyFromDenver

Ok. Thanks! I'll either keep saving for a real knockout mic or use the money towards something else. I hear clips online of older u87s and other vintage mega expensive mics and it makes me wish...

I know this is an old thread now. I came across it searching for used 127's. I have one that I like enough to try to pair it up and possibly get a switching power supply for.

So Andy I was curious if you found a replacement for your 127. Did you end up keeping it?

If you were still planning to part with it after all this time I'd make an offer.

You can PM me if interested.

Cheers.

[Prabha]

I'd like to say someting about the TLM 127.
It has a remarkable low bass extension, not exaggerated at all, but goes deeper than any other mic I have (U87, Brauner Phanthera, Schoeps mk4,shure ksm 44, at4050 and some other less expensive thingies).
It is not overly bright and it can be used on any kind of source and always get a good result.
Recording orchestras with it in cardioid (ortf pair) captures very nicely the timpany lower frecs and bass instruments.

just my 2 cents.

600 bucks for it is really a bargain

[Grummy77]

Originally Posted by Prabha

I'd like to say someting about the TLM 127.
It has a remarkable low bass extension, not exaggerated at all, but goes deeper than any other mic I have (U87, Brauner Phanthera, Schoeps mk4,shure ksm 44, at4050 and some other less expensive thingies).
It is not overly bright and it can be used on any kind of source and always get a good result.
Recording orchestras with it in cardioid (ortf pair) captures very nicely the timpany lower frecs and bass instruments.

just my 2 cents.

600 bucks for it is really a bargain

I agree that it's smooth on the bottom. I actually find the TLM127 pretty smooth all the way across. I've never compared it directly to a U87 but according to the frequency response charts Neumann puts out the 127 starts rolling off much higher up in the spectrum than the U87. You'd think it would be the other way around. That said the 127 chart looks much smoother up top than both the TLM103 & the U87. Doesn't bump up as much up there as either especially the U87. There's a good chance the bottom seems more extended relatively due to the fact the top isn't so hyped. Really this day and age where the shimmery top end of WD Condensers seems to be out of style one would think the 127 might be more popular than the U87 on account of the smoother gentler rise up top. Now that it's discontinued perhaps it can become the next must have holy grail mic to have in the locker. Hahaha! Don't want that cheap sibilant U87 crap gotta track down a used 127. Even if they start making them again I'm sure we'll all be saying "they don't sound the same as the originals from the 90's!". Isn't that the way. In 10 years folk's will be paying $5000.00 for an "original" 127.

Well, before we start that trend let me pair up my 127 before we drive the prices through the roof. To me it's a very useful mic. It's not some magical miracle worker but I can count on it for pretty much anything without needing too much EQ. I can get transformer love from my preamps so I don't NEED one in the mic. Got the one I have for a decent price. If I could find another for cheap enough it'd be sweet to have a pair.