Thanks Bro.Loved the song! Your opinion on the WA 87 compared to NT1 .Also which of these are closer to U87? I am looking for one that will suit for male vocals.Thanks & GBU.
Hey man! Thank you! I haven’t actually used the WA-87, however I own the WA-84, their Neumann KM-84 clone. I have used both the 84 and 184 a ton in studios I’ve worked at and it is a very good clone! I would guess then that their 87 clone is very good too. Between the Rode and the WA-87, I’d say if you have the additional $400 go for it. The Rode isn’t necessarily cloning the u87. It has some similarities yes but the WA-87 is a clone. So definitely that’d be a good route to go if you’re looking for a u87 like sound. Cheers!
Nice singing from both of you! I liked the Neumann so much more, the NT1 doesn't sound bad but when compared directly to the TLM 103 the latter just has a much smoother and pleasing sound.
Really good review! That is what I need. TH-cam compresses the sound .Is it possible for you to upload the files to Google Drive? I find a big difference listening to the waves files when it comes to comparing microphones. Thanks in advance!
Wow, your wifes voice really shows in the tlm 103 in a smoother more balanced way. Same on your voice basically, the 103 is just such a nice sound.. Think Im going to buy one. Great song btw!
Her voice is stunning and frankly that Rode NT1 £195 with her pipes beats the Neumann 103 at £822 regardless of price... yeah its TH-cam compression... but I am listening on a pair of Adam a7x fed by RME PCI sound card. Get the rode NT1 and buy £600 of decent preamp compressor into your chosen audio interface...
Fantastic review! How do these mics compare in terms of picking up background noise like fans or people talking in another room? I know they're both really sensitive mics, and I currently own an NT1, and I was wondering how the TLM compares in that aspect.
Thank you very much! In terms of rejection the Neumann literally picks up everything as it’s much more sensitive and has quicker transient response. So if you’re looking for rejection between those two you’re better off with your rode nt1.
@Joshua Krell Thank you for the response! It's not always noisy where I record, but that's the one thing that's making me hesitant about getting the TLM. I still love the Rode though!
Generally speaking as someone who has worked both at professional studios as an engineer and various home environments, I would stay away from higher end mics till you have a quieter space.
I’m many cases a higher end mic will actually sound worse in a non treated space because it’s so much more sensitive it will pick up things you don’t hear on the cheaper mic. Sometimes I find even in my current I often actually reach for a cheaper mic even tho I have much more expensive mics.
Thanks so much for the comment man! I’m so glad this video was helpful! Having owned all 3 I would say the Tlm 102 is the warmest of the 3 but lacks that nice silky top end that the 103 has. However, it is a true Neumann and it will sound great and responds smoothly even when boosting with eq!
@@lefterhsk1 I agree! It's not worth "upgrading". Work your NT1, and enjoy it. It's a solid workhorse. Who cares whether it's a Neumann or not. NO ONE hearing your productions will ever be able to tell the difference. Now, if you (J. Blake Stetson) has a mic with lots of self-noise, and it was problematic due to f.e. lots of upwards / low-level compression and limiting being used - then it would make sense to upgrade to something less noisy. Or if you had a mic with nasty resonances/peaks you always had to correct. Or if it was totally wrong for your voice (i.e. a dark ribbon'y sound mic, for a voice with lots of charming air and raspyness that just isn't captured by a dark mic) etc.
@@Tazmanian_Ninja tlm102-103-107 in my opinion they are not good microphones, rode nt1 is not a good microphone too...spending around 1000 euros for buying a tlm102-103 i dont think is a clever purchase. with 800-1000 euros you can buy much better mic than tlm102-103.
@@lefterhsk1 WIth Neumann people pay a premium for the brand, too. True. There are many other exciting mics for those money. Personally I'd love to spend 1000+ USD on f.e. an AEA ribbon microphone. The sE Gemini II (2 - not 1) is a very soulful mic, to my ears. Would rather buy that, than a Neumann TLM103.
For the money and if you don’t have a well treated space I think the NT1 does a great job for $200 something. But obviously if you’re in a well treated space to take advantage of what the 103 can offer of course the Neumann will plow the Rode.
@@JoshuaKrell In an untreated room, I’d still save up money and get the BCM 104 which is a crazy underrated mic. It’s remarkably similar sounding to the 103 with built in pop filter and elastic suspension. I don’t want to hate too much on the NT1 but the internet being the internet, people tend to want to justify their purchases which is why you see a ton of “better value for money” comments or “it’s a cheaper Neuman”. This just isn’t the case and you’d be surprised how many people seriously think you can get Neuman quality out of a $200 Rode.
In an untreated room you will pick up notorious reflections back into the microphone ending up with a poor result as it’s very sensitive, and again I own much “better” (expensive) mics then the TLM103, so I’m not a cheap microphone snob.
I have the Rode NT1 and I like it for rap or dialogue since it's an honest mic but with a bite. It's harsher at higher ends which is fine for more aggressive styled music. I love the Neumann TLM 103 more though because it sounds so much smoother with the higher ends.
Tell me, is the built-in pop filter of the rode nt1 microphone good or not? Or do you need to buy another pop filter? Please recommend a good pop filter... Thanks)
The pop filter is one of the best pop filters I’ve used that comes in the box. It is a double layered steel mesh for the one I got. If you’re looking for something by itself the double layered steel and soft mesh material pop filter from SE is unbelievable! I think it was less than $50 when I got it too. Much better than more expensive pop shields I had used!
@@JoshuaKrell I have a question, what sound card to buy for rode nt1? Do I need a preamp like tritonaudio fethead? Which microphone is better than rode nt1 or akg c214? You have great content.
Thanks so much for the kind words! In terms of sound card I recommend picking up an audio interface. There are many affordable options from companies like Focusrite, Presonus ect. I have owned or used most of them at one point or another. I use the Universal Audio Apollo interface line, which is the higher end edition of those said companies. Either way always remember, it’s more the skill of the artist that will come through regardless of the equipment!
I can most definitely understand that! Better to invest in other pieces of your studio! Warm audio also has some great Neumann clones too that are super affordable!
This so doesn't help me. :') I THINK the TLM 103 sounds better, but I WANT it to sound better. And my brain is very easy to trick. I think these comparisons are great, though. I don't have your tenor, just a mid-ish baritone. But even at your higher frequencies the TLM just seems fuller and crisper at the same time. I HAVE an NT1. I think I need to borrow a TLM 103 and just test my own voice. But thanks for sharing your faith, your music abilities, your comparison, and your thoughts!
Let me ask you a question: are these headphones the Audio Technica M20x? I'd like to know if the plastic connections make some noise... I have a Shure SRH 440 and its plastic body does a click sound while I'm singing, so the mics capture this noise.
These are actually the M40x. They don’t rattle at all. But I’ve had some cheaper headphones that did rattle with something loose inside from the vibration of singing. You might look into investing in a good set of tracking headphones! My main pair are the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro!
Another mic test where one mic is slightly louder. The clear winner here is TLM 103 as it is much clearer and the low end is a lot nicer but so many people in the comments are preferring the NT1 because its 1DB louder.
Thanks so much! Glad you appreciate the content. I have links to the Rode in description to. If you able please feel free to order through the link as it helps support the channel!
Thanks for the video. I've been using Rode NT1-a for 7 years, then replaced it with Oktava MK-519, and now have a chance to buy used TLM 103. Currently browsing through a lot of video comparisons and found your video very useful but with some limitations, unfortunately. Despite your room is acoustically treated it is mostly affected on high frequencies while at the same time acoustic reflection low mids are clashing with recorded vocals. It is mostly heard on your wife's voice since it is higher and low mid reflections heard very well. But the reflections also conflict with your voice though it is not so obvious. My other conclusion from what I heard is that TLM definitely has a smoother hi-end but also it catching less room. TLM's cardioid is much less broad especially from the back. That's the second reason why you personally prefer it. I also found TLM in your video has much less fluff in the mid-range parts of the words.
That’s awesome man! Both Rode and Octava are great! I’ve owned many microphones from both companies. You are definitely correct in terms of treatment. Auralex is ineffective as it really only treats high frequencies. However, my small apartment space I’m currently working in doesn’t allow for hanging anything else. My old space I built absorption panels with 4” Owens Corning and it did a MUCH better job with reflections. I look forward to having a space I can really invest in again!
How do I make the quality sound that good into the daw (Pro tools) I have good compression like in your video here but then ounce I open the daw pro tools it sounds like thin🤦🏿♂️ mind you all my I/o are set My setup is new and all has been tested on my computer before I bought it sooooo is it a setting I’m not seeing? I have no plug-ins on the vocal like you have there. Running inside the daw. I’m using the Apollo twin X 899 version. What could it be my direct monitoring to my daw? Bit rates are set right. All basics are set. Computer MacBook Mojave very well cpu Shoot I’m lost and my usd plugins are bought and official so I’m lost? Only into the daw it’s sounds thin....... any suggestions big brother ?
Not sure if you are running any plugins like compression or a unison preamp going in before it hits Pro tools. Because if so you might accidentally have it in monitor only and not print/record which would account for why it sounds good in the Apollo console but not in Pro Tools. You’d need to hit the red colored record/print plugins button which is above the monitor section in console instead of monitor only which is a blue button.
Deff sounds warmer maybe it’s how I compress but it wasn’t doing this a day ago🤦🏿♂️😔. Just gearing the “Errr” sounds and the “Aarrrr” Pronounced sounds a lil harsh with the ears for some reason. Like a nasty resonance 😔
I’m actually not running any compression on the way in on that particular video. It’s completely dry. I am running it however through the unison 610 pre and that is printed into the file.
I came here looking for hope in a more affordable mic. especially after I saw that crazy low noise floor! what i got was further proof (and disappointment for my budget!) at how much a difference the dollars make. May not seem like much to some, but sounds like a HUGE difference to me. Thank you for an excellent comparison video.
There is a difference but honestly unless your room is acoustically treated very well, I’d typically go for the Rode as it will be more forgiving on your room as it isn’t as sensitive as the Neumann.
That's great man! The Apollo stuff is sooo rad! I love my Twin duo, gonna be upgrading to their rack unit very soon! I would honestly say you're prob best picking up the NT1 and investing in other parts of your studio. Spend some time acoustically treating your space if you haven't already. Invest in a great set of studio monitors. I'd honestly rather have a great set of studio monitors so you can hear what you're mixing than a fancy microphone! Thanks so much for the comment brotha! Hope this was helpful!
Nah, get the Neumann and forget about other mics in the future. It will last you for years. Don't skip on mics mate. Now get the Neumann later on invest in a good external pre like Neve and then do other stuff.
Well… the NT1 is more edgy for sure. If you have the headphones to appreciate the difference, it’s undeniable. This certain edginess doesn’t have to be a negative thing, depending on the style of music. I have to admit I am a huge fan of of silky smooth and warm tonality, but as long as the post processing can deal with the edge in sound - and from my experience, it certainly is possible - I’d feel hard pressed to buy the Neumann TLM103 for 4 times the price here. Because of that, it’s the RØDE NT1 for me, easily. And even if didn’t mind to spend the money: The Lewitt LCT 540 S or the Shure KSM 32 - to me - is awfully close. So close in fact, that I’d ignore it and still spend half the money.
At a fraction of the price, the Rode holds up incredibly well. The TLM gets you like an extra 10% (more detail, dynamics, and air) - how much is that extra 10% worth? That’s the question a potential buyer has to answer. I can afford the TLM, but I’m going with the Rode since I’m just mic’ing rooms. The EV RE20 is still my go to for close proximity stuff.
definitely not worth the price difference if you know anything about eq and vocal production. You can make up for that 10 percent in about 4 minutes of extra work and save 800 dollars ;)
I've had a rode for years and many times I've thought I nailed it in the room only to hear my voice a little muddier and plodding than I thought. Now I know it's the rodes fault;) ..jk..also I'm not that experienced in fixing up the vocals in post. I'm a computer animator full time so honestly I want to spend as little time in front of the computer as possible. The mids in your wife's take with the 103 were incredible.they were soaring. Gear that you will have for years is worth the investment. Plus great gear inspires you to practice more. The Tlm is worth it I hope :) Thanks for the review!!
Many thanks for this very interesting video and for your pertinent comment. It is very difficult to decide. The Neumann seems to have more roundness, it gives an impression of depth. The Rode appears more precise, cleaner, more neutral (unlike the NT1A) and vintage. I will be very interested to hear a comparison with the guitar placed at 1m, 1m50, 2m from each microphone.
The further back you go, because the Neumann has better transient response, it definitely picks up much more of the room then the rode does. This can be a big problem if you’re recording in less than ideal circumstances. In fact I’m terms of detail the Neumann literally picks up everything in the room, or down the street for that matter. In a pro studio this would be a great thing. But I think for most home studio owners this is another point for the Rode.
@@JoshuaKrell The Rode has a magnificent sensibility. Since they're cardioid, they'll pick up very little from the back. If the capsule is oriented directly towards the sound source, it feels like you are close and not far away. Here, for example, my two NT1s are more than 1.5m from the piano. I had set my recording level to the limit of saturation th-cam.com/video/OCm6dzkypEU/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for your comment! Awesome username btw! Honestly I think for most people the answer is no. Your question is about the nt2 another great Rode microphone. The rode nt2 actually used to be my main microphone. If you have that I would work on investing in other parts of your studio before shelling out for a high fidelity microphone. Your audio interface quality is gonna make a much bigger difference in overall quality then a switch from an NT2 to a TLM 103. What kind of interface are you currently using?
What is your budget? I’m partial to the Universal Audio Apollos. However on a budget, Focusrite is what I recommend to people! I used to have a whole rack full of focusrite! They make great, affordable products. Recently had a friend move away from his more expensive Apogee to a Focusrite Clarett too!
This was quite a while ago and unfortunately I don’t have the tlm 103 anymore. I upgraded to the Lauten Audio Atlantis. However the whole point idea with Eq. Is if you are trying to make a NT1 sound like the frequency response on a TLM 103, it’s a little pointless because you will be EQing the Neumann too. So even if you match the Neumann’s frequency response to where the Neumann natively sits, that’s just where the Neumann sits completely raw.
Well this video was on a great microphone under $300 vs one over $1000. I’d recommend the Rode NT1 a ton! If you want to spend a little more the Rode NT2 is around $400.
@@JoshuaKrell though people say nt1 has flat frequency response thats why it didnt sound great on melody raps kinda vocal some people suggest nt1a for that and nt1 for voiceovers .is this true? or i can sound great on nt1 too. yeah i went for nt2a first but i think it needs more accoustic treatment {studio like} so is it true ?
Any condenser microphone you get will need acoustic treatment, some more than others. Having owned two NT1-A and am NT2-A and an NT1, let me say this anyone who says you can’t make the NT1 pop with EQ doesn’t really know what they are talking about. You can totally make the NT1 pop. The NT2-A just naturally is brighter so you won’t have to do quite as much.
@@JoshuaKrell thanks bro i will buy rode nt1 since it comes with better shock mount and pop filter . and as u said i can make it pop too . and considering the fact that nt2a have multiple polar pattern so it need some proffesional treatment than nt 1 .
Awesome man! I think you’ll like it! Also with multiple polar patterns that doesn’t you need more acoustic treatment. That just means you have more options. You could leave the NT2-A in cardioid and it would have similar rejection to the NT1.
I would honestly have to agree with you! I personally do prefer it between as I own both... but the quality difference is not accurate in pricing. If you can find a good deal used like I did than that’s great! But I honestly wouldn’t pay $1,100 for it new! There are too many even better microphones you could find used for $1,100.
@@back2the80sradio Agreed. I work with Penguin Random House Publishing. We get audiobooks from narrators using $10,000 microphones into $5000 pres into state of the art AD in a perfect room, and narrators using a $200 microphone into a $200 audio interface. Both work. I would say the bigger consideration is the room, and your preamp/converter and always most importantly....... Your talent/performance!
That rode NT1 just has its own unique warm characteristic sound the guy really sounded good on it it's perfect for his voice should have tested the rode NT2A but the tlm it's flat and clear but that rode it's a classic it has its own warm unique sound to it.
Hm my parents both cant sing very well. My Cousin and his wife can sing pretty well just as you two guys. I wonder if couples have mostly the same singing talent and what does this mean for me? :D
Yes it is very helpful, you make it crystal clear the difference between the both mics. Would you use the Neuman U87 to compare, and also would you invited the range of vocals that can show all vocal timbres - Soprano high, Alto mid, Tenor mi-hi and Bass low to mid. and see which mic cover these range of singers without EQing. thanks. Then mix it with music and see if we can tell the difference, thanks! Praise God for you work!
Appreciate it very much! Hope to be able to do something like that in the future. As of right now I don’t currently own an 87. But they’re solid. I’ve used them in various studios I’ve worked at on a lot of sources.
I actually do guitar teaching and music production full time. These are pieces of equipment I use everyday on paid projects. That’s why I even reviewed them as they are tools I use everyday! What I would recommend is looking around on Reverb.com for a good used microphone. Honesty if you are just starting out, I’d start with the Rode and then invest in other parts of your studio. In fact if you don’t have an acoustically treated room I would NOT get the Neumann as it will literally pick up everything! So save some money and find a Rode used on Reverb. You could prob find one for around $200 or less!
dont buy the rode nt1 bro. i got both, shit is all hype forreal. Been mixing and making beats for a long time..The only few mics that always sounded professional that I used was Neumann Tlm 103, Neumann tlm 49, Telefunken Ak47, Telefunken AR51 and the Aston Spirit. Rode nt2a was okay when I had it because you can actually mix with it. Audio technica 2020 is trash. The Rode nt 1 is clean but its very dark and boring hard to fit in the mix. Its gonna work on some styles but it don't sound like a record just a very clean version of you- very generic sounding. no amount of effects is gonna change that. (believe me I tried and definitely wanted to like the nt1) A lot of these podcasters don't know what they're talking about. They try to market things that sound like crap and are only good in context of certain things because they don't actually understand what actually works and what it doesn't. They all focus on "spoken" word. Musicians should just go for the neumann tlm 103 it sounds good on everything and always works. Drake also used it on So Far Gone
This shootout is between the TLM 103 and NT1. The TLM 102 has a very different frequency response that the 103. The 102 doesn’t have quite the boost in the high frequencies that the 103 has. Having owned all three microphones however, the 102 is still a Neumann. It’s a has a high fidelity Neumann capsule and I would say the transient response is better than the Rode. If you have the money I’d definitely go Neumann over Rode. But the Rode is an incredible microphone on a budget!
i dont understand the people who saying the neumann is sooo much better there is such a small difference, you barelly can hear barely the rode has a little bit more high frequencys and a bit more in the mid you can barely hear it the neumann also a bit more warm you can hardly hear it and its also a question of taste i would say the two microphones are EQUAL!
That’s really the idea. The point isn’t to say a cheap microphone is bad at all. Every mic has a purpose. The main quality difference I would say one is transient response/detail. With the Rode you have to get a lot closer the Neumann literally picks up everything both good and bad. The other is transparency when boosting. The Rode in comparison to the Neumann doesn’t sound quite as nice mellow when boosted. The Neumann sounds super buttery even with a super big boost with EQ.
If you listen through good headphones, the difference is obvious. Not night and day, but still obvious. It's very clear that the Neumann is in a completely different league than the Rode, and given the price disparity, that only makes sense.
Mmmmm actually, the 103 has a boost on the top end, and I dislike that. The Rode was more flat, buddy. I would recommend the NT1, and you can get about 3 for the price of the 103. Boosted mics are not better. You are being pulled to the 103 based on trendiness. Chexk the freq response of both, and you will notice the insane boost on the TLM103. Bless you.
Thanks for your comment. Sometimes it takes a little more critical listening. I can hear a pretty large difference not only on my studio monitors, Beyerdynamic and Audio Technica headphones but even on Apple earbuds too. However, it can be subtle for some listeners so you have to train your ear to look for small nuances. Also, you might find downloading the linked raw files I have in the description below video helpful. TH-cam’s algorithm definitely compresses the audio quality quite a bit too. I have links to the raw files that you can listen to. Check those out!
If you examine the frequency response diagrams of the NT1 vs the Neumann you’ll see the NT1 dips up and down quite a bit in comparison to the Neumann which maintains a very flat curve up until its bump in the high end.
@_kf_ tr_a I appreciate both of your comments. I have owned a stereo pair of NT1-As and the NT1. I have used both side by side. I honestly will tell you each microphone made of the same model will have a varying frequency response. They are never identical unless you have them in a pair. My particular NT1 has a choppier frequency response than my TLM103. There is a noticeable bump around 200-300s in my NT1 that is not there in the TLM103. This is also why microphone companies sell stereo pairs to begin with because if you actually buy two separate NT1-A they are bound to be different between the exact same model. Just some food for thought! Thanks for being polite with your comments tho guys! I appreciate it! :)
Forgot to put this in last comment. But I've had several people hit me up for the raw wav files. I actually put them up in a dropbox link for download in description!
I used to use the NT1-A in a stereo pair as a large diaphragm spaced pair for drum overheads! They were awesome for that! Also great on acoustic guitar. In fact I think I like the NT1-A better on acoustic guitars then I do the NT1 that’s in this video. It just had little more clarity. But definitely like the newer NT1 on vocals more for sure!
The tlm 103 is brighter then Rode nt1, some find the heavenly boost a problem, some don’t, it depends on the voice. It can be to bright, to unatural, i have a studio and i find the Rode nt1 good in a studio where the vocals is being pitched up with the maximizer on Cubase 9, so i find the Rode nt1 better in some parts, i find it smooth on the top and the frequenzy response showing smooth on the top and all the way actually. They both take in background noise so you need a accustic studio that has no room noise for them both. U87 ai takes in less noise from rooms than tlm 103 does, i’ve heard so i know. Listen to them both again with a beyerdynamic 770 pro and you will hear that the tlm 103 is too present boosted compare to u87 ai from neumann or Rode nt1 kit.
Having used both numerous U87 from numerous decades while working in multiple professional working studios as an engineer I would disagree. All condensers take in room noise. Both the TLM 103 and U87 have fairly low self noise across the board. And yes they do pick up a lot more of the room because they have significantly better transient response then the Rode. The rode has won awards for lowest self noise in its demographic, however I would say it’s transient response is nowhere near the same class. But this does mean for many because the Neumann’s are significantly more detailed that in a non treated room yes you’re going to pick up more of the room and so the Rode might be a better option or better yet a dynamic mic like a Shure SM7. I would disagree with the statement that the original Apollo was horrible. I own the X series rack now but at its time that original Apollo was great. I have made thousands of dollars using that little box which in my mind is a win. Having upgraded from that year of Apogee to that original twin, the AD/DA conversion was superior in that old Apollo to the similar apogee. However the obviously that was an old unit and there are better options now. I bought it when it first launched and it served me well before I upgraded to X.
@@JoshuaKrell bro, focusrite is better then that interface that Apollo usb thing he uses there, we tested the sound in it’s raw form and focusrite was better then Apollo usb
Great Review!!! I’m definitely taking it into consideration getting TLM 103 the Quality Is Great! More Importantly I love This because Y’all singing Jesus 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 So I had to Subscribe Love for guys to check out my music. As a Artist Sold out for Christ‼️ God Bless You and The Family in Jesus Name
Just want to say its all in your type of voice. They both have soft voices which favor the 103. I have a deep more harder voice and the rhode kills the 103 for my vocal. I returned my 103 and went with the rhode. Plus you have to realize your comparing a $1200 mic to a $250 mic
Absolutely! Every source is different and not everyone mic works on everyone. That’s why I keep a bunch around to have options when working with varying clients!
I'd suggest get Rode NT1 fully realising its ability with a good preamp (I have a discontinued Safe Sound Audio P1, which is still fantastic... pre and comp/expander in one unit) and a great compressor, into RME pci sound card or similar converter = why spend £1,000s on one mic when you can have a few useful mics, by buying a great pre amp comp chain... ? Her voice is stunning and frankly that Rode NT1 £195 with her pipes beats the Neumann 103 at £822 regardless of price... yeah its TH-cam compression... but I am listening on a pair of Adam a7x fed by RME PCI sound card. Get the rode NT1 and buy £600 of decent preamp compressor into your chosen audio interface...
I typically agree. I always recommend investing more in your AD conversion before spending a lot on your microphone. I have multiple different options for preamps into my Apollo x6. Neither the Neumann or the rode get much use however anymore. My current workhouse is the Lauten Audio Atlantis. Great microphone with a lot of versatility.
@@JoshuaKrell Yes I've owned the Warm audio 47jr in particular and it's a very good vocal and instruments mic $250 used and I'd run it through a tube or transformer based preamp and compressor for heavenly tracks.
you breathing is wrong my friend. Never breath in with your chest and shoulders. You have to be careful. Your speaking voice doesn't sound healthy either. Have a look on You tube at Ken Templin, Chris Liepe or Justin Stoney. They show you how to do it right. I had already met Justin Stoney. Great coach
Came for a sound test, stayed for the Worship session.
Thanks bro 😎
Amen.
Thanks Bro.Loved the song! Your opinion on the WA 87 compared to NT1 .Also which of these are closer to U87? I am looking for one that will suit for male vocals.Thanks & GBU.
Hey man! Thank you! I haven’t actually used the WA-87, however I own the WA-84, their Neumann KM-84 clone. I have used both the 84 and 184 a ton in studios I’ve worked at and it is a very good clone! I would guess then that their 87 clone is very good too. Between the Rode and the WA-87, I’d say if you have the additional $400 go for it. The Rode isn’t necessarily cloning the u87. It has some similarities yes but the WA-87 is a clone. So definitely that’d be a good route to go if you’re looking for a u87 like sound. Cheers!
Nice singing from both of you! I liked the Neumann so much more, the NT1 doesn't sound bad but when compared directly to the TLM 103 the latter just has a much smoother and pleasing sound.
I appreciate the encouragement man! I definitely agree with you on the Neumann. The rode sits in the closet most of the time now!
Really good review! That is what I need. TH-cam compresses the sound .Is it possible for you to upload the files to Google Drive? I find a big difference listening to the waves files when it comes to comparing microphones. Thanks in advance!
Hey man! Thank you so much!! Yes of course. If you should me an email I will glad send you those files! info@joshuaguitarlessons.com
Wow, your wifes voice really shows in the tlm 103 in a smoother more balanced way. Same on your voice basically, the 103 is just such a nice sound.. Think Im going to buy one. Great song btw!
Thank you! I definitely agree!
Her voice is stunning and frankly that Rode NT1 £195 with her pipes beats the Neumann 103 at £822 regardless of price... yeah its TH-cam compression... but I am listening on a pair of Adam a7x fed by RME PCI sound card. Get the rode NT1 and buy £600 of decent preamp compressor into your chosen audio interface...
Fantastic review! How do these mics compare in terms of picking up background noise like fans or people talking in another room? I know they're both really sensitive mics, and I currently own an NT1, and I was wondering how the TLM compares in that aspect.
Thank you very much! In terms of rejection the Neumann literally picks up everything as it’s much more sensitive and has quicker transient response. So if you’re looking for rejection between those two you’re better off with your rode nt1.
@Joshua Krell Thank you for the response! It's not always noisy where I record, but that's the one thing that's making me hesitant about getting the TLM. I still love the Rode though!
Generally speaking as someone who has worked both at professional studios as an engineer and various home environments, I would stay away from higher end mics till you have a quieter space.
I’m many cases a higher end mic will actually sound worse in a non treated space because it’s so much more sensitive it will pick up things you don’t hear on the cheaper mic. Sometimes I find even in my current I often actually reach for a cheaper mic even tho I have much more expensive mics.
Thanks for this! I am an NT1 user looking to upgrade possibly to the TLM102 or 103. This comparison is EXACTLY what I needed! :)
Thanks so much for the comment man! I’m so glad this video was helpful! Having owned all 3 I would say the Tlm 102 is the warmest of the 3 but lacks that nice silky top end that the 103 has. However, it is a true Neumann and it will sound great and responds smoothly even when boosting with eq!
i dont think this is an upgrade...
@@lefterhsk1 I agree! It's not worth "upgrading". Work your NT1, and enjoy it. It's a solid workhorse. Who cares whether it's a Neumann or not. NO ONE hearing your productions will ever be able to tell the difference.
Now, if you (J. Blake Stetson) has a mic with lots of self-noise, and it was problematic due to f.e. lots of upwards / low-level compression and limiting being used - then it would make sense to upgrade to something less noisy. Or if you had a mic with nasty resonances/peaks you always had to correct. Or if it was totally wrong for your voice (i.e. a dark ribbon'y sound mic, for a voice with lots of charming air and raspyness that just isn't captured by a dark mic) etc.
@@Tazmanian_Ninja tlm102-103-107 in my opinion they are not good microphones, rode nt1 is not a good microphone too...spending around 1000 euros for buying a tlm102-103 i dont think is a clever purchase. with 800-1000 euros you can buy much better mic than tlm102-103.
@@lefterhsk1 WIth Neumann people pay a premium for the brand, too. True. There are many other exciting mics for those money. Personally I'd love to spend 1000+ USD on f.e. an AEA ribbon microphone.
The sE Gemini II (2 - not 1) is a very soulful mic, to my ears. Would rather buy that, than a Neumann TLM103.
One thing is for sure, the Rode NT1 punches well above its weight! Good review and comparison!
Agreed! Thank you Andy!
It’s not even close.
For the money and if you don’t have a well treated space I think the NT1 does a great job for $200 something. But obviously if you’re in a well treated space to take advantage of what the 103 can offer of course the Neumann will plow the Rode.
@@JoshuaKrell In an untreated room, I’d still save up money and get the BCM 104 which is a crazy underrated mic. It’s remarkably similar sounding to the 103 with built in pop filter and elastic suspension.
I don’t want to hate too much on the NT1 but the internet being the internet, people tend to want to justify their purchases which is why you see a ton of “better value for money” comments or “it’s a cheaper Neuman”. This just isn’t the case and you’d be surprised how many people seriously think you can get Neuman quality out of a $200 Rode.
In an untreated room you will pick up notorious reflections back into the microphone ending up with a poor result as it’s very sensitive, and again I own much “better” (expensive) mics then the TLM103, so I’m not a cheap microphone snob.
Don't care about the mic, I love the song you guys r awesome
Thanks so much!!!
I have the Rode NT1 and I like it for rap or dialogue since it's an honest mic but with a bite. It's harsher at higher ends which is fine for more aggressive styled music.
I love the Neumann TLM 103 more though because it sounds so much smoother with the higher ends.
The Rode NT1 is almost flat. So I'm not sure where you get that is harsh. The 103, is very hi med boosted. Which is clearly indicated on the spects.
this is a perfect video for comparisons i need! Esp. with both male and female comparions! thank you:)
Thank you very much!
Tell me, is the built-in pop filter of the rode nt1 microphone good or not? Or do you need to buy another pop filter? Please recommend a good pop filter...
Thanks)
The pop filter is one of the best pop filters I’ve used that comes in the box. It is a double layered steel mesh for the one I got. If you’re looking for something by itself the double layered steel and soft mesh material pop filter from SE is unbelievable! I think it was less than $50 when I got it too. Much better than more expensive pop shields I had used!
@@JoshuaKrell thanks man)))👍👍👍
It’s on my to do list to do a video on that pop filter cause I like it so much!
@@JoshuaKrell I have a question,
what sound card to buy for rode nt1? Do I need a preamp like tritonaudio fethead? Which microphone is better than rode nt1 or akg c214? You have great content.
Thanks so much for the kind words! In terms of sound card I recommend picking up an audio interface. There are many affordable options from companies like Focusrite, Presonus ect. I have owned or used most of them at one point or another. I use the Universal Audio Apollo interface line, which is the higher end edition of those said companies. Either way always remember, it’s more the skill of the artist that will come through regardless of the equipment!
After trying the NT1 I sold my TLM 103 as there was no way I could justify having it - other than being able to say hey, I have a Neumann mic.
I can most definitely understand that! Better to invest in other pieces of your studio! Warm audio also has some great Neumann clones too that are super affordable!
Right. 😂. I've heard that the TLM is overrated.
@Plautus egal Try the Roswell Mini K87
This so doesn't help me. :') I THINK the TLM 103 sounds better, but I WANT it to sound better. And my brain is very easy to trick. I think these comparisons are great, though. I don't have your tenor, just a mid-ish baritone. But even at your higher frequencies the TLM just seems fuller and crisper at the same time. I HAVE an NT1. I think I need to borrow a TLM 103 and just test my own voice.
But thanks for sharing your faith, your music abilities, your comparison, and your thoughts!
Great test with great voices! Question what was the complete vocal chain used for this test. Thanks🙂
Thanks Billy!
If I remember right this was straight into an Apollo Twin via Mogami gold cable
Let me ask you a question: are these headphones the Audio Technica M20x? I'd like to know if the plastic connections make some noise... I have a Shure SRH 440 and its plastic body does a click sound while I'm singing, so the mics capture this noise.
These are actually the M40x. They don’t rattle at all. But I’ve had some cheaper headphones that did rattle with something loose inside from the vibration of singing. You might look into investing in a good set of tracking headphones! My main pair are the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro!
The female sounded smoother on TLM103 but the male sounded better on nt1. I thing the bigger difference is from mic placement.
Hm i listened again and i think youre right. Maybe you have to find the best mic for your voice and if your lucky its a cheaper one. :D
Thanks for a great song. Love it. Thank you.
Lord Bless.
I just bought an NT1 today. It'll be here next week. I can't wait to try it out! Thank you for the video!
Good buying decision man! I think you’re really gonna love it!
Can’t go wrong with that man! Rode is such an awesome company!
Another mic test where one mic is slightly louder. The clear winner here is TLM 103 as it is much clearer and the low end is a lot nicer but so many people in the comments are preferring the NT1 because its 1DB louder.
Thanks again! Love that Rode NT1 sound! Will purchase
Thanks so much! Glad you appreciate the content. I have links to the Rode in description to. If you able please feel free to order through the link as it helps support the channel!
@@JoshuaKrell Yw! Okay, cool
nt1 isnt bad its just the 103 frees the essence of the vocals which works out with great sounding vocals....
Thanks for the video. I've been using Rode NT1-a for 7 years, then replaced it with Oktava MK-519, and now have a chance to buy used TLM 103. Currently browsing through a lot of video comparisons and found your video very useful but with some limitations, unfortunately. Despite your room is acoustically treated it is mostly affected on high frequencies while at the same time acoustic reflection low mids are clashing with recorded vocals. It is mostly heard on your wife's voice since it is higher and low mid reflections heard very well. But the reflections also conflict with your voice though it is not so obvious. My other conclusion from what I heard is that TLM definitely has a smoother hi-end but also it catching less room. TLM's cardioid is much less broad especially from the back. That's the second reason why you personally prefer it. I also found TLM in your video has much less fluff in the mid-range parts of the words.
That’s awesome man! Both Rode and Octava are great! I’ve owned many microphones from both companies. You are definitely correct in terms of treatment. Auralex is ineffective as it really only treats high frequencies. However, my small apartment space I’m currently working in doesn’t allow for hanging anything else. My old space I built absorption panels with 4” Owens Corning and it did a MUCH better job with reflections. I look forward to having a space I can really invest in again!
yoo surgey do you have an instagram acc?
How do I make the quality sound that good into the daw (Pro tools) I have good compression like in your video here but then ounce I open the daw pro tools it sounds like thin🤦🏿♂️ mind you all my I/o are set
My setup is new and all has been tested on my computer before I bought it sooooo is it a setting I’m not seeing?
I have no plug-ins on the vocal like you have there. Running inside the daw.
I’m using the Apollo twin X 899 version. What could it be my direct monitoring to my daw?
Bit rates are set right. All basics are set. Computer MacBook Mojave very well cpu
Shoot I’m lost and my usd plugins are bought and official so I’m lost? Only into the daw it’s sounds thin....... any suggestions big brother ?
Not sure if you are running any plugins like compression or a unison preamp going in before it hits Pro tools. Because if so you might accidentally have it in monitor only and not print/record which would account for why it sounds good in the Apollo console but not in Pro Tools. You’d need to hit the red colored record/print plugins button which is above the monitor section in console instead of monitor only which is a blue button.
Deff sounds warmer maybe it’s how I compress but it wasn’t doing this a day ago🤦🏿♂️😔.
Just gearing the “Errr” sounds and the “Aarrrr”
Pronounced sounds a lil harsh with the ears for some reason. Like a nasty resonance 😔
What set up your analog compression, Eq etc... or you should have a video on it maybe
I’m actually not running any compression on the way in on that particular video. It’s completely dry. I am running it however through the unison 610 pre and that is printed into the file.
Thanks for the recommendation! I’ll definitely be putting videos like this out in the future so stay tuned to the channel!
Thank you so much for this review and video. Now I know what equipment to buy!
You bet! Thanks for watching!
which one?
@@Daddy12680 Neumann mic and Apollo preamp
Amen! As a Christian, I'm so happy!😄
Thanks man!
Whenever anyone says, “As a Christian….” I immediately want to barf
I came here looking for hope in a more affordable mic. especially after I saw that crazy low noise floor! what i got was further proof (and disappointment for my budget!) at how much a difference the dollars make. May not seem like much to some, but sounds like a HUGE difference to me. Thank you for an excellent comparison video.
There is a difference but honestly unless your room is acoustically treated very well, I’d typically go for the Rode as it will be more forgiving on your room as it isn’t as sensitive as the Neumann.
Rode Nt1 is 😉 Win , smooth sharpe and frequency is straight 😁
Hey bro I have and Apollo twin mk11 duo solo core and I’m q beginner I think I should o go with the Rode Nt1 what could you tell me?
That's great man! The Apollo stuff is sooo rad! I love my Twin duo, gonna be upgrading to their rack unit very soon! I would honestly say you're prob best picking up the NT1 and investing in other parts of your studio. Spend some time acoustically treating your space if you haven't already. Invest in a great set of studio monitors. I'd honestly rather have a great set of studio monitors so you can hear what you're mixing than a fancy microphone! Thanks so much for the comment brotha! Hope this was helpful!
Nah, get the Neumann and forget about other mics in the future. It will last you for years. Don't skip on mics mate. Now get the Neumann later on invest in a good external pre like Neve and then do other stuff.
Well… the NT1 is more edgy for sure. If you have the headphones to appreciate the difference, it’s undeniable. This certain edginess doesn’t have to be a negative thing, depending on the style of music. I have to admit I am a huge fan of of silky smooth and warm tonality, but as long as the post processing can deal with the edge in sound - and from my experience, it certainly is possible - I’d feel hard pressed to buy the Neumann TLM103 for 4 times the price here. Because of that, it’s the RØDE NT1 for me, easily. And even if didn’t mind to spend the money: The Lewitt LCT 540 S or the Shure KSM 32 - to me - is awfully close. So close in fact, that I’d ignore it and still spend half the money.
Nuemann really opens up. The NT1 has similar voice recreation but also has midrange compression. Mids sound muddy.
Absolutely!
At a fraction of the price, the Rode holds up incredibly well. The TLM gets you like an extra 10% (more detail, dynamics, and air) - how much is that extra 10% worth? That’s the question a potential buyer has to answer. I can afford the TLM, but I’m going with the Rode since I’m just mic’ing rooms. The EV RE20 is still my go to for close proximity stuff.
For the price the Rose is great! Really comes down to performance and the room you’re recording in.
definitely not worth the price difference if you know anything about eq and vocal production. You can make up for that 10 percent in about 4 minutes of extra work and save 800 dollars ;)
@@devinmichaelroberts9954 I know little of EQ and even less of vocal production, but I'm still gonna save the $800 with the Rode :)
I've had a rode for years and many times I've thought I nailed it in the room only to hear my voice a little muddier and plodding than I thought. Now I know it's the rodes fault;) ..jk..also I'm not that experienced in fixing up the vocals in post. I'm a computer animator full time so honestly I want to spend as little time in front of the computer as possible. The mids in your wife's take with the 103 were incredible.they were soaring. Gear that you will have for years is worth the investment. Plus great gear inspires you to practice more. The Tlm is worth it I hope :)
Thanks for the review!!
Thanks a ton! I appreciate it! 😀
Thank you very much for your assistance! Think I'll go with TLM
So glad!
Very gud video the rode nt1 has more body and a more unstable high end the neumman has more detail in the high end and alot smoother
Thanks man! I appreciate it!
Danke euch! Die Stimme deiner Frau ist wirklich schön.
Where do you see that the NT1's frequency response is choppy?
I meant in terms of when boosting with EQ. The Neumann responds much more smoothly than does the Rode.
"We're gonna dive right in."
Proceeds to dive right in.
Pretty much 😂😂😂
@@JoshuaKrell too many youtubers with long intros. I like getting right to the content.
Good feedback! Thank you Jay!
Many thanks for this very interesting video and for your pertinent comment. It is very difficult to decide. The Neumann seems to have more roundness, it gives an impression of depth. The Rode appears more precise, cleaner, more neutral (unlike the NT1A) and vintage. I will be very interested to hear a comparison with the guitar placed at 1m, 1m50, 2m from each microphone.
The further back you go, because the Neumann has better transient response, it definitely picks up much more of the room then the rode does. This can be a big problem if you’re recording in less than ideal circumstances. In fact I’m terms of detail the Neumann literally picks up everything in the room, or down the street for that matter. In a pro studio this would be a great thing. But I think for most home studio owners this is another point for the Rode.
@@JoshuaKrell The Rode has a magnificent sensibility. Since they're cardioid, they'll pick up very little from the back. If the capsule is oriented directly towards the sound source, it feels like you are close and not far away. Here, for example, my two NT1s are more than 1.5m from the piano. I had set my recording level to the limit of saturation th-cam.com/video/OCm6dzkypEU/w-d-xo.html
Is the upgrade from nt2 worth it though? I dont see that much difference
Thanks for your comment! Awesome username btw! Honestly I think for most people the answer is no. Your question is about the nt2 another great Rode microphone. The rode nt2 actually used to be my main microphone. If you have that I would work on investing in other parts of your studio before shelling out for a high fidelity microphone. Your audio interface quality is gonna make a much bigger difference in overall quality then a switch from an NT2 to a TLM 103. What kind of interface are you currently using?
@@JoshuaKrell Need recommendations for audio interface.
What is your budget? I’m partial to the Universal Audio Apollos. However on a budget, Focusrite is what I recommend to people! I used to have a whole rack full of focusrite! They make great, affordable products. Recently had a friend move away from his more expensive Apogee to a Focusrite Clarett too!
Would LOVE to see you use EQ and show us how close you can bring the NT1 to the TLM103.
This was quite a while ago and unfortunately I don’t have the tlm 103 anymore. I upgraded to the Lauten Audio Atlantis. However the whole point idea with Eq. Is if you are trying to make a NT1 sound like the frequency response on a TLM 103, it’s a little pointless because you will be EQing the Neumann too. So
even if you match the Neumann’s frequency response to where the Neumann natively sits, that’s just where the Neumann sits completely raw.
Dude, I was hoping for captions at the bottom to know what mic I was listening to! Am I missing something?
Hey man, thanks for the comment! Yes, you didn’t watch to the end where I bring the tracks into Pro Tools and talk about it!
For sure the NT1 dollar to performance is the best.
can i know which is the best mic for juice wrld or xxxteentacion type of songs under 400 $
Well this video was on a great microphone under $300 vs one over $1000. I’d recommend the Rode NT1 a ton! If you want to spend a little more the Rode NT2 is around $400.
@@JoshuaKrell though people say nt1 has flat frequency response thats why it didnt sound great on melody raps kinda vocal some people suggest nt1a for that and nt1 for voiceovers .is this true? or i can sound great on nt1 too. yeah i went for nt2a first but i think it needs more accoustic treatment {studio like} so is it true ?
Any condenser microphone you get will need acoustic treatment, some more than others. Having owned two NT1-A and am NT2-A and an NT1, let me say this anyone who says you can’t make the NT1 pop with EQ doesn’t really know what they are talking about. You can totally make the NT1 pop. The NT2-A just naturally is brighter so you won’t have to do quite as much.
@@JoshuaKrell thanks bro i will buy rode nt1 since it comes with better shock mount and pop filter . and as u said i can make it pop too . and considering the fact that nt2a have multiple polar pattern so it need some proffesional treatment than nt 1 .
Awesome man! I think you’ll like it! Also with multiple polar patterns that doesn’t you need more acoustic treatment. That just means you have more options. You could leave the NT2-A in cardioid and it would have similar rejection to the NT1.
did i miss it, or you didn't tell us what preamps you are using?
Hey man! I put it in the description. Straight into Apollo twin with UA 610 unison preamp emulation.
Awesome singing for our Lord!
Thanks Travis!
I own the NT1A. Great mic. 🎤
Great option for the money. I used to have a stereo pair of the NT1-A. Still have an NT1 hanging around that comes out every once in a while too.
For an direct comparison: 2:46 and 3:13
There's NO WAY in this world that 103 is $1,100 better. NT1 is proof that it can stand with the best.
I would honestly have to agree with you! I personally do prefer it between as I own both... but the quality difference is not accurate in pricing. If you can find a good deal used like I did than that’s great! But I honestly wouldn’t pay $1,100 for it new! There are too many even better microphones you could find used for $1,100.
Might not be 1000 bucks better but the Tlm 103 sounds miles better bruh
@@KeenApollo Well, everyone’s entitled to their opinions.
@@KeenApollo I can produce a voice over with both and you wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
@@back2the80sradio Agreed. I work with Penguin Random House Publishing. We get audiobooks from narrators using $10,000 microphones into $5000 pres into state of the art AD in a perfect room, and narrators using a $200 microphone into a $200 audio interface. Both work. I would say the bigger consideration is the room, and your preamp/converter and always most importantly....... Your talent/performance!
awesome both of you
Thanks man! Appreciate it!
That rode NT1 just has its own unique warm characteristic sound the guy really sounded good on it it's perfect for his voice should have tested the rode NT2A but the tlm it's flat and clear but that rode it's a classic it has its own warm unique sound to it.
Love the vocals and song! God Bless 🙏💪🎉
Thank you! I super appreciate it!
Gracias por el video, muy hermosa cancion, Dios bendiga sus vidas, saludos desde Chile¡¡¡
@Raymond Jace gracias,, revisare filixzone.
Hm my parents both cant sing very well. My Cousin and his wife can sing pretty well just as you two guys.
I wonder if couples have mostly the same singing talent and what does this mean for me? :D
My personal conclusion: it sounded warmer on female vocal, but similar on male one.
Yes it is very helpful, you make it crystal clear the difference between the both mics. Would you use the Neuman U87 to compare, and also would you invited the range of vocals that can show all vocal timbres - Soprano high, Alto mid, Tenor mi-hi and Bass low to mid. and see which mic cover these range of singers without EQing. thanks. Then mix it with music and see if we can tell the difference, thanks! Praise God for you work!
Appreciate it very much! Hope to be able to do something like that in the future. As of right now I don’t currently own an 87. But they’re solid. I’ve used them in various studios I’ve worked at on a lot of sources.
the tlm 103 is more warmer , i love the low end more. I was listening on adam a7x. Every other frequencies are Very very close the Rode NT1 to Newmann
Is the tlm 103 good for rap? I need a good mic to start my music career. Maybe a lil bit of sing rap to
It’s great on literally everything! I know a lot of rappers that do use it! But I haven’t really found anything it doesn’t sound good on!
@@JoshuaKrell how do you afford all these mice?
@@JoshuaKrell mics*
I actually do guitar teaching and music production full time. These are pieces of equipment I use everyday on paid projects. That’s why I even reviewed them as they are tools I use everyday! What I would recommend is looking around on Reverb.com for a good used microphone. Honesty if you are just starting out, I’d start with the Rode and then invest in other parts of your studio. In fact if you don’t have an acoustically treated room I would NOT get the Neumann as it will literally pick up everything! So save some money and find a Rode used on Reverb. You could prob find one for around $200 or less!
dont buy the rode nt1 bro. i got both, shit is all hype forreal. Been mixing and making beats for a long time..The only few mics that always sounded professional that I used was Neumann Tlm 103, Neumann tlm 49, Telefunken Ak47, Telefunken AR51 and the Aston Spirit. Rode nt2a was okay when I had it because you can actually mix with it. Audio technica 2020 is trash. The Rode nt 1 is clean but its very dark and boring hard to fit in the mix. Its gonna work on some styles but it don't sound like a record just a very clean version of you- very generic sounding. no amount of effects is gonna change that. (believe me I tried and definitely wanted to like the nt1) A lot of these podcasters don't know what they're talking about. They try to market things that sound like crap and are only good in context of certain things because they don't actually understand what actually works and what it doesn't. They all focus on "spoken" word. Musicians should just go for the neumann tlm 103 it sounds good on everything and always works. Drake also used it on So Far Gone
Great Review
Thanks so much! I appreciate it a ton!
Jesus bless you guys. Very helpful.
But which mic does Jesus prefer?
Man, that’s super convicting 😂
Tlm 102 or nt1?does the tlm worth the Extra price?
This shootout is between the TLM 103 and NT1. The TLM 102 has a very different frequency response that the 103. The 102 doesn’t have quite the boost in the high frequencies that the 103 has. Having owned all three microphones however, the 102 is still a Neumann. It’s a has a high fidelity Neumann capsule and I would say the transient response is better than the Rode. If you have the money I’d definitely go Neumann over Rode. But the Rode is an incredible microphone on a budget!
Your wife has a perfectly smooth robust voice...
Thank you!
Tlm 103 has more midrange presence
And more smooth
The nt1 is bassy sound without clear midrange and no detail high end
TLM 103 cuts out far too much of the low end for my taste... unless you're going to cut most of that out anyway to fit it in a mix.
Never listened religious nonsense this long, but it was a very useful video. Thank you. 🙂🖖
They have good melodies hate the lyrics lol.
rode 4:25 neumann 5:11
Personally think the female should've went high and the male low but good comparison video nonetheless
Looking back in retrospect, I agree! Haha
Dope! Nice pipes!
Thanks man!!
i dont understand the people who saying the neumann is sooo much better
there is such a small difference, you barelly can hear barely
the rode has a little bit more high frequencys and a bit more in the mid
you can barely hear it
the neumann also a bit more warm
you can hardly hear it
and its also a question of taste
i would say the two microphones are EQUAL!
That’s really the idea. The point isn’t to say a cheap microphone is bad at all. Every mic has a purpose. The main quality difference I would say one is transient response/detail. With the Rode you have to get a lot closer the Neumann literally picks up everything both good and bad. The other is transparency when boosting. The Rode in comparison to the Neumann doesn’t sound quite as nice mellow when boosted. The Neumann sounds super buttery even with a super big boost with EQ.
If you listen through good headphones, the difference is obvious. Not night and day, but still obvious. It's very clear that the Neumann is in a completely different league than the Rode, and given the price disparity, that only makes sense.
Tlm has way more detail in the mids sounds much more present and more clarity.
Mmmmm actually, the 103 has a boost on the top end, and I dislike that. The Rode was more flat, buddy.
I would recommend the NT1, and you can get about 3 for the price of the 103.
Boosted mics are not better. You are being pulled to the 103 based on trendiness.
Chexk the freq response of both, and you will notice the insane boost on the TLM103.
Bless you.
i like it
Which one do you like?
I am using CD900ST headset, why can't I ever hear difference between these mic QQ
Thanks for your comment. Sometimes it takes a little more critical listening. I can hear a pretty large difference not only on my studio monitors, Beyerdynamic and Audio Technica headphones but even on Apple earbuds too. However, it can be subtle for some listeners so you have to train your ear to look for small nuances. Also, you might find downloading the linked raw files I have in the description below video helpful. TH-cam’s algorithm definitely compresses the audio quality quite a bit too. I have links to the raw files that you can listen to. Check those out!
ginobi0707 the tone and warmth is quite difference u should look into how harsh and how the overall tone is.
Agreed!
Omg. Your wifes woice in the 103..❤
2:45 Rode 3:13 Neuman
Did u accidentally refer to the NT1-A Frequency response? The Nt1 is by no means Choppy
If you examine the frequency response diagrams of the NT1 vs the Neumann you’ll see the NT1 dips up and down quite a bit in comparison to the Neumann which maintains a very flat curve up until its bump in the high end.
@_kf_ tr_a I appreciate both of your comments. I have owned a stereo pair of NT1-As and the NT1. I have used both side by side. I honestly will tell you each microphone made of the same model will have a varying frequency response. They are never identical unless you have them in a pair. My particular NT1 has a choppier frequency response than my TLM103. There is a noticeable bump around 200-300s in my NT1 that is not there in the TLM103. This is also why microphone companies sell stereo pairs to begin with because if you actually buy two separate NT1-A they are bound to be different between the exact same model. Just some food for thought! Thanks for being polite with your comments tho guys! I appreciate it! :)
Forgot to put this in last comment. But I've had several people hit me up for the raw wav files. I actually put them up in a dropbox link for download in description!
NT1A highs are too crisp
I used to use the NT1-A in a stereo pair as a large diaphragm spaced pair for drum overheads! They were awesome for that! Also great on acoustic guitar. In fact I think I like the NT1-A better on acoustic guitars then I do the NT1 that’s in this video. It just had little more clarity. But definitely like the newer NT1 on vocals more for sure!
The tlm 103 is brighter then Rode nt1, some find the heavenly boost a problem, some don’t, it depends on the voice.
It can be to bright, to unatural, i have a studio and i find the Rode nt1 good in a studio where the vocals is being pitched up with the maximizer on Cubase 9, so i find the Rode nt1 better in some parts, i find it smooth on the top and the frequenzy response showing smooth on the top and all the way actually.
They both take in background noise so you need a accustic studio that has no room noise for them both.
U87 ai takes in less noise from rooms than tlm 103 does, i’ve heard so i know.
Listen to them both again with a beyerdynamic 770 pro and you will hear that the tlm 103 is too present boosted compare to u87 ai from neumann or Rode nt1 kit.
Having used both numerous U87 from numerous decades while working in multiple professional working studios as an engineer I would disagree. All condensers take in room noise. Both the TLM 103 and U87 have fairly low self noise across the board. And yes they do pick up a lot more of the room because they have significantly better transient response then the Rode. The rode has won awards for lowest self noise in its demographic, however I would say it’s transient response is nowhere near the same class. But this does mean for many because the Neumann’s are significantly more detailed that in a non treated room yes you’re going to pick up more of the room and so the Rode might be a better option or better yet a dynamic mic like a Shure SM7. I would disagree with the statement that the original Apollo was horrible. I own the X series rack now but at its time that original Apollo was great. I have made thousands of dollars using that little box which in my mind is a win. Having upgraded from that year of Apogee to that original twin, the AD/DA conversion was superior in that old Apollo to the similar apogee. However the obviously that was an old unit and there are better options now. I bought it when it first launched and it served me well before I upgraded to X.
@@JoshuaKrell bro, focusrite is better then that interface that Apollo usb thing he uses there, we tested the sound in it’s raw form and focusrite was better then Apollo usb
Came for a comparison to show class wound up with the devil out of me
😆😆
where's the neumann?
Do you mean sound sample wise? The Neumann is silver the rode is matte black.
NT1 muddy. TLM caress ears. That feature maximixes in mixing and mastering. It's easier to find phase problems with TLM.
Great Review!!! I’m definitely taking it into consideration getting TLM 103 the Quality Is Great! More Importantly I love This because Y’all singing Jesus 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 So I had to Subscribe Love for guys to check out my music. As a Artist Sold out for Christ‼️ God Bless You and The Family in Jesus Name
Thanks man! I appreciate it!
Great video, thanks. Glory to God in Jesus and Mary
Just want to say its all in your type of voice. They both have soft voices which favor the 103. I have a deep more harder voice and the rhode kills the 103 for my vocal. I returned my 103 and went with the rhode. Plus you have to realize your comparing a $1200 mic to a $250 mic
Absolutely! Every source is different and not everyone mic works on everyone. That’s why I keep a bunch around to have options when working with varying clients!
@@JoshuaKrell what do you use for more harsh/deeper voice clients?
I love my Lauten Atlantis. It gets a lot of use, incredibly versatile as it has three different voicings at the flick of a switch.
What is your go to microphone for vocals?
@Pankkiiri Ankka HA! Well played
You have a rare gift my friend haha!
I'd suggest get Rode NT1 fully realising its ability with a good preamp (I have a discontinued Safe Sound Audio P1, which is still fantastic... pre and comp/expander in one unit) and a great compressor, into RME pci sound card or similar converter = why spend £1,000s on one mic when you can have a few useful mics, by buying a great pre amp comp chain... ?
Her voice is stunning and frankly that Rode NT1 £195 with her pipes beats the Neumann 103 at £822 regardless of price... yeah its TH-cam compression... but I am listening on a pair of Adam a7x fed by RME PCI sound card. Get the rode NT1 and buy £600 of decent preamp compressor into your chosen audio interface...
I typically agree. I always recommend investing more in your AD conversion before spending a lot on your microphone. I have multiple different options for preamps into my Apollo x6. Neither the Neumann or the rode get much use however anymore. My current workhouse is the Lauten Audio Atlantis. Great microphone with a lot of versatility.
The 103 is a tad bit smoother.
Between those two, ok, Rode N1 have more rich and fine sound. But Im not on professional speakers.
It’s definitely a great deal for the money! You can’t go wrong!
Yea you definitely not hearing it right cause the tlm 103 is miles ahead not to say the nt1 is bad
@@KeenApollo lol i barely hear a diference
Rode for her and tlm for him.
Agreed!
No offense but NT1 is an insult against TLM103, don't get me wrong I have and use NT1 for ten years but TLM103 is another world!
THE TLM 103 IS REALIST THAN THE NT1
Keep working on the vocals mate
The point wasn’t to demonstrate vocal skill lol...
and breathing
The male would sound alot better on a u47 style mic
That’s what next on my list haha! Maybe a warm audio 47 or another clone.
@@JoshuaKrell Yes I've owned the Warm audio 47jr in particular and it's a very good vocal and instruments mic $250 used and I'd run it through a tube or transformer based preamp and compressor for heavenly tracks.
@@JoshuaKrell would you recommend a Warm Audio WA-47jr for upgrading from a NT1 ?
Groot? On your boom?
Good eye 😊
RK12 или RK47 поставить в RODE NT1 и будет сок.
you breathing is wrong my friend. Never breath in with your chest and shoulders. You have to be careful. Your speaking voice doesn't sound healthy either. Have a look on You tube at Ken Templin, Chris Liepe or Justin Stoney. They show you how to do it right. I had already met Justin Stoney. Great coach
Thanks for the feedback! I’ll check it out!
Love the christian music !
Thanks man!
i disagree difference is not pronuounced theres barely a difference
Are you listening on high quality studio monitors or headphones?
@@JoshuaKrell yes listening in high profile studio with Yamaha hs8 with fully treated room with Gik acoustics panels and bass traps
TLM on the female voice, NT-1 on the male.
I like your thinking!
Great video! The music was dog shit but good review.