Pearlman TM-1 vs Bock U195

[audioman]

hey guys need a little help,my signal chain is...Shure ksm27---UA 2192--Pacifica...I pretty much need a go to mic for vocals, guitar, percussion etc.. vocals and guitar are the most important ..

Ive been able to save $1900 to buy a mic but there are three mics I cant seem to choose between..

Pearlman tm-1

neuman tlm49

bock u195

the thing is ive heard great things about all these especially how great the tm-1 works with the pacifica.. If I have to spend $1600 on the Pearlman than I will because of everything ive heard about them but if the Bock u195 is just as equally great than I can go for that. I've also heard great things about the tlm49.. if u guys can help me out I would appreciated thanks

[BFrederick]

+1 for the Pearlman. I've had the TM-1 for about a year now and Its a fantastic mic. I use it for vocals and it gets a lot of use as my mono room for drums.

Never used a Bock, but I know it blows a Neumann TLM149 out of the water.


I had a chance to talk to Dave Pearlman for about an hour at NAMM, fantastic guy and a hell of a microphone builder.


Give it a chance, You'll be so glad you did.

[BFrederick]

BTW, I have a pacifica and a LA-610. I mostly use the pacificas because, well, they just sound better more often than not.. and the Pearlman matched with the Pacifica are a fantastic pair that sound quite good on nearly everything you put in front of it.

[audioman]

thanks you for the reply its true that the pacifica and tm-1 make a great companions.. Would I be able to use the tm-1 to mic guitar amps or is it just mainly used on vocals with the exception of some drums.. thanks

[audioman]

any info would be greatly appreciated guys..

[Papanate]

Originally Posted by BFrederick

Never used a Bock, but I know it blows a Neumann TLM149 out of the water.
.

How exactly did you conclude this without using a Bock?

[Papanate]

Originally Posted by audioman

Pearlman tm-1
neuman tlm49
bock u195

the thing is ive heard great things about all these especially how great the tm-1 works with the pacifica.. I

I don't believe there is anything to be garnered from subjective opinions - for that kind of dough I would have to have the mics in hand, through the pre, with at least a few sources available that I would be using the mic for - and then I would cull my opinion from what my ears tell me.

They are all nice mics that have great attributes. BTW did you mean the Neumann TLM-149? And isn't the Bock U195 a FET mic?

[h_Jordan]

check this mic shootout, no pearlman but check how the bock 195 sounds

Manley Reference Microphones - Tube Mic Voiceover Test - YouTube

[Brad Lunde]

We are the Pacifica reps (to dealers) for the USA and I think any of the mics are fine. Its a very hifi sounding preamp with plenty of gain so I don't think its really that fussy whats plugged into it. You hear a lot about the Pearlman with A Designs as Dave and Peter are old friends and often display at shows together and do things together-not that the two are the best combo.

We are also the Bock suppliers to dealers, so obviously I think the Bock sounds great as we have had many customers using the two through the years. The Bock is optimized for vocals (FAT switch) and electric guitar (PAD switch) and acoustic guitar (lo cut). The mic is supposed to be really good a wide variety of things with the all the different switches plus has lower sensitivity overall so it won't overload in front of guitar amp or a very loud singer.

Here are some other samples you can hear....
TransAudio Group - 195

Brad

[RKrizman]

Originally Posted by BFrederick

+
Never used a Bock, but I know it blows a Neumann TLM149 out of the water.

How do you know this if you haven't used one?

-R

[Jackie Treehorn]

I've used all three.

Bock.

[Musiclab]

Originally Posted by Jackie Treehorn

I've used all three.

Bock.

I own the TM1 and the U195,
They're both excellent tools with a different sound, for vocals 99.9% of the time I'd use the TM1

[BFrederick]

Sorry, I responded 18hrs into a 21hr session yesterday and forgot to TYPE out pearlman when i said "Never used a Bock, but I know it blows a Neumann TLM149 out of the water."

when I said "but I know IT blows a " I was referring to the TM-1.


I said my experience was between the Pearlman and the TLM-149.

I have used the TLM-149 and I can tell you the Pearlman is a much warmer, fuller sounding Microphone. The Neumann in comparison is a bit harsh in the highs.

I said I cannot speak on the Bock cause I've never used one.

I'm simply a very HAPPY and satisfied engineer using two pieces of gear the OP was asking about.


and no, I wouldn't use the TM-1 on loud guitar amps unless using it as a room mic and I already had a sm57 or a royer 121 on the cab up close.

Hope this helps.

[audioman]

thanks fellas these posts are very helpful.. I wanted to add that I wasnt speaking of the Neumann tlm-149 but in fact the TLM-49 that cost's around the same as the TM-1.. Is the TLM-49 not in the same ball park as the other two because I wanna narrow it down to 2 mics.. thanks fellas I really appreciate it

[Rob Ellis]

I've tried the 49 and the Bock (not the Pearlman, but most of the buzz I've heard is really positive)

Bock over TLM 49 anyday on my voice.

The Neumann in comparison is a bit harsh in the highs.

I also found this to be true about the TLM 49

[thermos]

I had a Soundelux U-195, and now have a TM-1. Liked the Soundelux on acoustic guitar and bass cabs, but like the Pearlman more in those spots. For vocals I really disliked the U-195 (female vox an essy nightmare). The Pearlman fares way better in almost every respect for me.

[audioman]

wow thermos great insight and also thanks to everyone who shared there experience on this subject it really helps and Im glad to be part of this forum... from all the research Ive came upon I also heard the bock does that at times.. I guess the it really depends on the persons character of voice.. I really am excited cause I am very close to making my decision and feel great about it.. I am very much considering the TM-1 although it is more expensive but it's an investment well worth it..I was really hoping I got more feed back on the TLM49 because I have someone that could sell it to me for a great price!! but that doesnt matter the point is getting the right gear for the right application.. only thing is the TM-1 only does great on vocals and acoustic I wish it could used for percussion, piano, and guitar amping.

[Scott_R]

I had a U195 for many years and sold it recently as the upper mids were harsh on "my" voice.

I own a TLM49 and am very satisfied with the mic. Sounds much better on "my" voice, smoother and 3 dimensional. No regrets in selling the U195.

[audioman]

thanks guys is there any more of u guys with experience on the tm-1

[warhead]

Originally Posted by audioman

thanks guys is there any more of u guys with experience on the tm-1

We have all 3 of these mics in our Clipalator on the same sources, that would help bring some context. They are each very good mics in our experience, but wildly varying in response and tone.

The Pearlman is by far the smoothest with the most character overall, the Bock 195 the most present and sparkle-y with that FAT switch for growing the size, and the Neumann TLM49 is a bit of a mid-scooped sound with a forward upper midrange presence.

Those are very general statements, but you should go hear them for yourself.

War