Neumann TLM 170R MT Studio Condenser Microphone (Black)

Far from conjuring antiquated or retro nostalgia, Neumann’s industry-leading TLM 170 R embodies an imposing, contemporary studio microphone. Its wide-ranging performance spectrum and high-precision reproduction mean that the TLM 170 R is universally applicable.

The freshly designed sound transducer, which was developed exclusively for this microphone, is inspiring with its exceptional impulse fidelity. The boundless constancy of multiple polar patterns, omnidirectional, cardioid and figure-8, with the intermediate patterns wide-angle cardioid and hypercardioid, is also uncommon for a large-diaphragm capsule. The TLM 170 R offers optimal sound not only for the cardioid setting; it also guarantees maximum precision over the entire frequency range for all of the other directional characteristics. These five directional characteristics can be chosen by means of a rotary switch. In the sixth position, marked "R", the directional patterns can be manipulated remotely with the N 248 power supply. Without need of a special cable.

Transformerless circuitry enables a high degree of linearity and a large dynamic range. The self-noise of only 10 dB-A is essentially inaudible, while at the same time, the TLM 170 R features high level handling. The maximum sound pressure level of 141 dB SPL can be increased to 153 dB SPL via pre-attenuation (Pad). This makes it possible for the TLM 170 to transmit the sound of even the loudest instruments without distortion.

The pre-attenuation switch is situated to the rear of the microphone and on activation reduces transmission levels by 10 dB. Use of the switch shifts the microphone’s dynamic range by 10 dB, rather than expanding it. Therefore, its best use is to mitigate overloading following devices with excessive sound pressure levels. The other switch on the back of the microphone can be used to change the cutoff frequency of the built-in high-pass filter, so as to suppress the effects of impact sound and wind noise, or to compensate for the proximity effect.