Shure Ksm 32 vs Neumann TLM103

I have both mics. I rarely use the TLM103 for vocals. Strange that you don't find the KSM32 to your liking though. It's been my "go to" vocal mic for at least 6 years. It's the first mic I usually throw up when I'm starting a recording session. I'll usually start with the KSM32 and if it doesn't seem appropriate for whatever reason, I'll try something else. But it really depends on your voice. If you don't care for it then trust your instincts and look for something else. But I would suggest you look at something other than the TLM103 for vocals. I love the TLM103 on guitar cabs. It really seems to flatter electric guitar. Very similar in nature to my Fathead ribbon mic which I also love for guitar (frankly if I had to do it all over again, I'd buy a few Fatheads before I'd buy a TLM103).

There are so many other good mics out there for vocals it's hard to recommend just one. Rode, MXL, Audio Technica, Oktava, AKG, Cascade, Charter Oak, etc etc etc. How would you describe your voice?

ORIGINAL: krizrox

I have both mics. I rarely use the TLM103 for vocals. Strange that you don't find the KSM32 to your liking though. It's been my "go to" vocal mic for at least 6 years. It's the first mic I usually throw up when I'm starting a recording session. I'll usually start with the KSM32 and if it doesn't seem appropriate for whatever reason, I'll try something else. But it really depends on your voice. If you don't care for it then trust your instincts and look for something else. But I would suggest you look at something other than the TLM103 for vocals. I love the TLM103 on guitar cabs. It really seems to flatter electric guitar. Very similar in nature to my Fathead ribbon mic which I also love for guitar (frankly if I had to do it all over again, I'd buy a few Fatheads before I'd buy a TLM103).

There are so many other good mics out there for vocals it's hard to recommend just one. Rode, MXL, Audio Technica, Oktava, AKG, Cascade, Charter Oak, etc etc etc. How would you describe your voice?

+1, what Larry said.

John

AT 4047 & AKG c414 are my two most used mics for vox and acoustic guitar recording. Before you drop down big bucks, find a way to try out a few different ones and see what works for you. Opinions will vary when posting something like this.

ORIGINAL: DigiBiu

So, I guess what I should be asking is, Which mic do you recommend for female vocals?

In the price range of the TLM103, I'd say the AKG414 is a good choice. But also look at Studio Projects, Audio Technica, Cascade, MXL and save a few bucks.

ORIGINAL: DigiBiu

Larry, have you ever used or heard the Mojave mic mentioned above? Im liking what Im reading about it

According to a pretty fanatical mic guy over at another forum it's pretty similar but not exactly like a U67.

IMO, he's a pretty reliable source for mics.

ORIGINAL: DigiBiu

Ive had the Shure Ksm32 as my vocal mic for 3 years now, never been really impressed with it. Good mic, but nothing special, IMO. Ive been looking at this Neumann TLM103 and thinking about getting one. Would I notice a difference? Do any of you guys have both? Suggestions?

I would suggest the Shure KSM 44, the best new mic to come along in years and great for digital recording. Save up or try to find a 44 used.

ORIGINAL: DigiBiu

Well, I guess what Im saying is that, to me, the KSM is almost too flat. I actually really like the ksm on instruments-guitar, dobro, but I don't like it on vocals. I don't record my voice, its other people. Mostly female voices. I am doing a pretty heavy metal band right now, and it actually sounds alright on his voice, but its low and powerful. I mainly am looking for a vocal mic to record female vocals. I used a Neumann u87 about a year ago in the university studio, helping a friend record, and I loved the sound it gave the female vocal. I brought my ksm along in case, and didn't really like the sound as much as the u87, which the 103 is supposed to be very similiar to. So, I guess what I should be asking is, Which mic do you recommend for female vocals?

Get the KSM44 for female vocals plus it has 3 patterns. The TLM103 does not sound like a U87. KSM44 sounds more like the U87 and makes a great AC guitar mic too.

ORIGINAL: mikedocy

........
Get the KSM44 for female vocals plus it has 3 patterns. The TLM103 does not sound like a U87. KSM44 sounds more like the U87 and makes a great AC guitar mic too.

The good news is it doen't sound exactly like a U87, it's much better for digital recording. The U87 was perfect back in the analog tape days because it added that sizzle you needed to not sound dull. Neuman needs to do a rev on that thing to update it for digital recording.. it's just too harsh. It has been updated several times already from the a and ai versions they need a new version of the 87 just for digital. But yeah.. the Shure KSM-44 is the known good thing right now.

Well, I guess what Im saying is that, to me, the KSM is almost too flat. I actually really like the ksm on instruments-guitar, dobro, but I don't like it on vocals.

This has been a complaint about the KSM32 for years - great for acoustic instruments but not "sparkly" enough for vocals. According to Shure, that's specifically why they developed the KSM44, to answer that criticism. The 44 is similar to the 32, but is brighter, adds a two-position highpass filter and is even quieter than the famously-quiet KSM32. $800 and it comes an a nice metal box just like the Neumann.

ORIGINAL: bitflipper

Well, I guess what Im saying is that, to me, the KSM is almost too flat. I actually really like the ksm on instruments-guitar, dobro, but I don't like it on vocals.

This has been a complaint about the KSM32 for years - great for acoustic instruments but not "sparkly" enough for vocals. According to Shure, that's specifically why they developed the KSM44, to answer that criticism. The 44 is similar to the 32, but is brighter, adds a two-position highpass filter and is even quieter than the famously-quiet KSM32. $800 and it comes an a nice metal box just like the Neumann.

I had a Shure employee/drummer in my studio a couple of years ago and he had a complete set of 32's for his drums. Sounded real nice. A little hard to position though - the weight of those mics required some extra care with the mic stands.

Interesting comments though. I've been really happy with my 32 - no complaints at all about flatness or lack thereof. It seems to work well on most of the vocalists that come through here. For rappers, I was favoring my C1. For females, I tend to use my 414. For sibilant screechy types, the Fathead or the TLM103 works well. And I've done plenty of sessions with a plain ol SM57.

If I can find the time - I'll post a few vocal samples from some recent sessions. We positioned a Fathead and a TLM103 next to each other and recorded a bunch of vocal tracks for a album project. The singer and I both preferred the Fathead.

Ok, first, Im a keyboard player, not a singer, and I started recording for fun, and now have a few people who have come in and recorded and liked the results. Im not really a gearhead, so I don't keep up with the equipment like I should. I do not record with a preamp. I just use the pres that are in the FW1884. What Im seeing on different forums is that maybe my KSM32 is really good enough but I need to run it through a preamp. Is this the case? Can someone give me a little schooling on this? If I need a pre, which preamp should I get? And what exactly does the preamp do for the vocal? I know I sound like an idiot, but I really don't know.

ORIGINAL: DigiBiu

Ive had the Shure Ksm32 as my vocal mic for 3 years now, never been really impressed with it. Good mic, but nothing special, IMO. Ive been looking at this Neumann TLM103 and thinking about getting one. Would I notice a difference? Do any of you guys have both? Suggestions?

What preamp(s) are we talking about? I have used the TLM103 into several pres - including milennia - I personally haven't kept a track on the 103 - just not my cup of "T".

I did a piano recording in august of '06 with the Shures, into a presonus pre - I can't believe how open natural and usable those tracks were - especially in a very tough room.



I would use the shures again, but they belonged to the AE's on this recording.

AKG 414's on occasion into my Yamaha or DAV pres. Oddly enough I have to say that I did several recordings last year with male vocalists and the CAD E300 (2) worked very well for the money - unfortunately I sold my pair and wish I still had at least one of them.

-D

ORIGINAL: Lanceindastudio

Digi youre pres are fine. Preamps are overrated i think. Keep it simple. Good mic, un-altering pre.

With respect, absolutely not true. Preamps, converters, similar to microphones have qualities.

Here is an interview with George Massenberg



from about 3 and 1/3 years ago discussing the trends and differences in preamps.

-D

ORIGINAL: Scoot

Here is an interview with George Massenberg

damn this is the second link that someone has posted that I can't open, I get the open with box in windows, but ok is greyed out. so this is definatly me and not the links!

S:
It opens in QuickTime with my browsers. Have you tried Right Clicking and choosing Save As?

-D

ORIGINAL: DonM

ORIGINAL: Scoot

Here is an interview with George Massenberg

damn this is the second link that someone has posted that I can't open, I get the open with box in windows, but ok is greyed out. so this is definatly me and not the links!

S:
It opens in QuickTime with my browsers. Have you tried Right Clicking and choosing Save As?

-D

ickTime with my browsers. Have you tried Right Clicking and choosing Save As?