TML103 and C414B - opinions wanted

Recording David · 31st March 2005, 12:01 PM

I'm going to demo these mics for some voice-over work. They will probably be used in other 'general purpose' applications as well.

I know the TLM is fixed cardioid and the 414 is multi-pattern. Notwithstanding this, any opinions on which might sound better for voice-over (and in general maybe).

Yes, I will be trying them out myself, but I also want opinions from actual users.

Many thanks.

StuartMac · 31st March 2005, 12:05 PM

Had them both at one time - didn't particularly like either much.

Try the Gefell M930 instead (KMR Audio). Or a Soundelux U195 (ASAP Europe), or an ADK CE (Turnkey)

lloyd · 31st March 2005, 01:11 PM

i have used them both. the c414 is by far the more versitile mic, good for vocals, voice-overs and instruments, have used it on male/female voices, sax, acoustics etc. the tlm103 has got a slightly richer tone. again good on acoustics and female vocals. as stuart said the adk ce is supposed to be comparable to the higher end neumanns. the se gemini is also highly rated.

rr1073 · 31st March 2005, 02:21 PM

I own 2 of each. In our main VO booth I have 2 TLM 103's. I use them every day - all day long for multiple purposes. Radio, TV, books on tape, etc... I have had great results with them and therefore continue to use them. There is the rare occasion when they don't match well with someone...but hardly ever.
The 414 is more versatile...multiple polar patterns, etc. and also works well on Voice Overs. But the 103's are what I have in the booth and have had them there for about a year now.
I change pre-amps per talent. Most of the time I use either a Focusrite ISA110 (original from console), a Neve 33115 or a DW Fearn.

Fletcher · 31st March 2005, 02:36 PM

Try the R-84 DJV... http://wesdooley.com/aea/R84.html

I believe you can also get that at KMR...

lawrence_o · 31st March 2005, 02:51 PM

I have a C414 BTL II with the C12 membrane.

Indeed, versatile however, I find it an ideal 'Dance vocal' mike i.e. I wouldn' want to record a Celine Dion with it but that's my personal opinion. It has something agressive in the highs. Not that it's bad, you just have to like it. I bought it as my first mike because I could not only record vocals with it. I recently tried putting it in front of a Marshall Rock guitar speaker LOL but I was in fact positively surprised with the result...

I'd say, try a few. I tried the AKG C3000, two expensive Neumans ( I believe U87 and M something... one costed over 3k, the other 2.5k ) and the C414.

I did not take the Neumans because for what I like, they hardly have any highs. The C3000 was actually good enough but I finally ended up with the 414 because it's supposed to be a studio standard or so I've been told. Anyway, in every studio I've been, they had at least one of them..

PS: What would you guys recommend for recording:
Electric Guitars through a speaker
Accoustic guitar
Drums ( Kick, toms, highs )

Thanks
Good luck.

Recording David · 31st March 2005, 03:05 PM

Thanks for the replies, guys - keep 'em coming!

Lawrence - for electric guitar the SM57 hasn't let me down.

Acoustic guitar I use a pair of Schoeps MK5 in omni.

For kick the AKG D112 - the industry standard.

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31st March 2005, 12:01 PM	#1
Recording David Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: UK Posts: 661	TML103 and C414B - opinions wanted I'm going to demo these mics for some voice-over work. They will probably be used in other 'general purpose' applications as well. I know the TLM is fixed cardioid and the 414 is multi-pattern. Notwithstanding this, any opinions on which might sound better for voice-over (and in general maybe). Yes, I will be trying them out myself, but I also want opinions from actual users. Many thanks.

31st March 2005, 02:36 PM	#5
Fletcher 3 + infractions, membership under review with GS admin Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Foxboro, MA USA Posts: 5,783	Try the R-84 DJV... http://wesdooley.com/aea/R84.html I believe you can also get that at KMR... __________________ [COLOR="White"][/COLOR] [SIZE="2"][b]Fletcher[/b][/SIZE] If you have a question please email me at [email]Fletcher@mercenary.com[/email] instead of using the PM system... I very rarely check that system and it could take a while to get a response. I can also be found at either address below: [size=2][url=http://recforums.prosoundweb.com][b]R/E/P[/b][/url][/size] the [b]R[/b]ecording [b]E[/b]ngineer and [b]P[/b]roducer forums [url=http://www.mercenary.com][b]Mercenary Audio[/b][/url] [size=1][b]mwagener wrote on Sat, 11 September 2004 14:33[/b] We are selling emotions, there are no emotions in a grid [b][url=http://www.ericambel.com/index.htm]Roscoe[/url] Ambel once said[/b]: Pro-Tools is to audio what fluorescent is to light[/size]

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31st March 2005, 12:05 PM	#2
StuartMac Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Scotland Posts: 810	Had them both at one time - didn't particularly like either much. Try the Gefell M930 instead (KMR Audio). Or a Soundelux U195 (ASAP Europe), or an ADK CE (Turnkey)

31st March 2005, 01:11 PM	#3
lloyd Gear interested Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fulham Posts: 6	i have used them both. the c414 is by far the more versitile mic, good for vocals, voice-overs and instruments, have used it on male/female voices, sax, acoustics etc. the tlm103 has got a slightly richer tone. again good on acoustics and female vocals. as stuart said the adk ce is supposed to be comparable to the higher end neumanns. the se gemini is also highly rated.

31st March 2005, 02:21 PM	#4
rr1073 Gear maniac Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The Twilight Zone Posts: 194	I own 2 of each. In our main VO booth I have 2 TLM 103's. I use them every day - all day long for multiple purposes. Radio, TV, books on tape, etc... I have had great results with them and therefore continue to use them. There is the rare occasion when they don't match well with someone...but hardly ever. The 414 is more versatile...multiple polar patterns, etc. and also works well on Voice Overs. But the 103's are what I have in the booth and have had them there for about a year now. I change pre-amps per talent. Most of the time I use either a Focusrite ISA110 (original from console), a Neve 33115 or a DW Fearn.

31st March 2005, 02:51 PM	#6
lawrence_o Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Belgium Posts: 592	I have a C414 BTL II with the C12 membrane. Indeed, versatile however, I find it an ideal 'Dance vocal' mike i.e. I wouldn' want to record a Celine Dion with it but that's my personal opinion. It has something agressive in the highs. Not that it's bad, you just have to like it. I bought it as my first mike because I could not only record vocals with it. I recently tried putting it in front of a Marshall Rock guitar speaker LOL but I was in fact positively surprised with the result... I'd say, try a few. I tried the AKG C3000, two expensive Neumans ( I believe U87 and M something... one costed over 3k, the other 2.5k ) and the C414. I did not take the Neumans because for what I like, they hardly have any highs. The C3000 was actually good enough but I finally ended up with the 414 because it's supposed to be a studio standard or so I've been told. Anyway, in every studio I've been, they had at least one of them.. PS: What would you guys recommend for recording: Electric Guitars through a speaker Accoustic guitar Drums ( Kick, toms, highs ) Thanks Good luck.

31st March 2005, 03:05 PM	#7
Recording David Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: UK Posts: 661	Thanks for the replies, guys - keep 'em coming! Lawrence - for electric guitar the SM57 hasn't let me down. Acoustic guitar I use a pair of Schoeps MK5 in omni. For kick the AKG D112 - the industry standard.