WOW thanks so much for that test! Really appreciate the work you put into this. Actually I wanted to go for the Shure SM7B and the tlm103 but hearing the 416 I changed my mind. Its not conventional for studio recording but it does a sick job and I also can use it for foley too. Its an allrounder version of the tlm103 Id say! Great that I could hear it like that in your video. Thanks again.
Finally that someone really understand what he is talking about and explains everything perfectly and using a proper audio equipement. I am tired of everyone reviewing microphones and they record them on audio recorders or digital audio interfaces and every of these mics sound same if they compare more mics, or their settings and mic technique is crappy and you don´t power SM7B with Cloudlifter which is stupid. What makes me to ask, what if you have a good audio interface that have great preamps and low self noise like Audient ID 4 MKII, put gain on 50% and plug in DBX268S 50% gain or so ( to hit 60dB or more ) for the SM7B.
Listening on studio monitors here the 416 sounds the best of the lot on this review and seems to suit your male vocal better than even the 103...I may have to treat myself for Christmas!
I still prefer my old TLM 103, it was worth every penny! One detail: He is very demanding, the acoustic treatment has to be impeccable!! Thanks for video!!
If I had the dream studio I want, or even a treated room, I would definitely want a good condenser mic. But with my current situation, the shure sm7B is perfect for podcasting and V.O.
If you're interested in a Sennheiser MKH 416, but it's just a little out of your price range, the Rode NTG-3 is an almost identical sounding mic for $300 less. Truly fantastic shotgun mic.
@- I also have both mics and agree the 416 is the better mic. The NTG3 is quite midbassey in comparison which can really muck up male voices if you're not careful about placement or are in a crap room.
True but rode is a Chinese copy of mkh 416 and will mot perform as well we took it on a fishing trip, it git got little and fell apart very quickly, MKH416 can handle a stort for $300 more, we use it on a houston storm and keep working like the boss of all mics.
B - Awesome session! Incredible info! I would love to see you do the same for the typical podcasters /youtubers that don't have a room setup or are on a smaller budget. As an example I have a Blue Yeti that goes straight into my MacBook Pro. I think this setup (no mixer, no amps) is what more people use. Your setup is exactly what I would expect from a professional, but we're not all in that class. :)
oh the Neumann buttery sound! But the 416 sounds great as well, and you could put it out of the frame and still get a nice "movie" sounding voice. Thanks for the comparison!
Thanks for including the RE320, rather than the RE20, as an alternative to the SM7B. I have both, and generally I like and prefer the SM7B -- but if I want something brighter, I go with the RE320. I don't think the RE20 is different enough to warrant having both that and the Shure, at the price. But the RE320 is a good option, if the darker mics are too boomy for your voice, your personal preference or your use-case.
True, a mic with a built-in cable is prone to damage. However, according to the name on the back, you've got it in that mount up-side down - ergo it should come out underneath. Maybe the next generation of the SM7B will be a standard XLR socket instead of a cable. Sennheiser MKH 416 - why did you not mention it's a 'shotgun' mic? You did say it can be used 'off-camera' - and that's why. Thank you for sticking to your 'list of Pros & Cons' That was most helpful. I have a couple of RE55's and PL20's + those fantastic 309 shock mounts - I've had them since 1983 - good for Orchestra.
Useful review if you don't have the microphones in question and want to compare them as properly as possible. But we do see other DBX's involved in the sound chain, maybe it's good to mention their specific function too?
One of the best microphone reviews. In my opinion the SM 7B sounds muffled and horrible on high frequencies (the s sound of the voice sounds like shh). Looks beautiful on camera. Requires lots of gain or a Cloud lifter (or Fethead). Cheap thin wire from the XLR connector to the mic. Shure products are made in China or Mexico. Great materials and reliability overall. Classic mic and model never looks old. Bigest competition: Electro-Voice RE-20. More expensive but better sound overall and for extra $100,oo can be used with a real Shock mount. Downside on the RE 20: The khaki color. The Sennheizer MKH 416 has a beautiful sound. The EV RE 320 reminds me of the Alex Jones show.
The world of Internet love the Sm7b, The World of the Trailer and in your face sound love the mkh416, and the world smooth sound love the u87. The Sm7b is for Michael Jackson male voice, the re320 for more woman´s , the tlm103 and the u87 is for 99%, of the people. But when you love german craft microphone than you buy a WEISSKLANG it kost 500€ and sounds in the liga of the u87.
Oiii, then, I’m Brazilian and I was researching some microphones that interest me and youtube recommended your video. Bicho, as soon as I saw the title of the channel I was excited, like, it was a Portuguese channel and stuff. Anyway, I just wondered if the name of this channel has any meaning or something like kkkk
Hey, That's was maybe the best review of these mics I have seen. So many are obsessed with the SM7B, because everybody uses it,Well then I need it too. BUT, the TLM103 was soooo much better in full, rich, detailed in the voice I looked at the U87 and the TLM103, I guess I start with the TLM103 and see it that will do it. Great video, following you from here on :) Johnny // Sweden
Didn’t have much funds back when I started buying gear, so I landed a cheap Audio-Technica AT2020. Very simple, but gets the job done with pretty good quality for me and my recordings and music. Watching this kinda makes me wanna upgrade😅
@@stephenrosenthal5337 58's and 57's mostly suck. You just see so many of them because they're literally impossible to kill. Every one that has ever been produced I'm convinced is still on some guitar cab or snare drum somewhere. Run it over with a bus and it'll still work...somehow.
I just did a test between a no name $60 condenser USB mic and a Shure SM7B with MixPre 3 II in my untreated room with a noisy window AC unit 4ft away (the AC unit is positioned 90° off axis from both mics). The results: the cheap condenser mic picked up LESS background noise than the Shure. I’m amazed and a little bummed out by the result as I was hoping a dynamic would pick up way less background noise.
The SM7B requires so much gain that you can easily hear any background noise and it sounds worse than a much cheaper condenser mic if your room isn't terrible imo.
I'm just now seeing this video (Oct.26.2020), so I hope you get this comment... I was wondering what adapters you appear to be using with the Neumann mic - attached from the shock mount to the boom arm, and from the mic XLR? Both of these would be very helpful to me as well. Thanks!
You have the SM7B mic upside down on the mount, check the logo, this would place the cable on the underside out of trouble, which would fix one of your cons.
It would have been nice if you had spoken into the RE320 with the kick drum switch off so we could hear it's natural tone without that filter. I really wanted to know how different it sounded compared to the RE20.
I'm using a Neat King Bee. And for the price, this thing is amazing. I think it can compete with the Neumann, to be honest. I've seen comparisons, and it's hard to tell the difference between the Neumann 102/103 and the King Bee. It's discontinued right now, but the worker bee for $80 is still an amazing purchase
I don't know anyone who would use an SM7b for recording audio books. A good quiet condenser such as a 416 or TLM 103 would be acceptable, but using a dynamic to record long form narration is not recommend.
Me and a friend use a Blue Yeti microphone and we love it. It gets evrything you want, has the gain knob on the back to have precise sensitivity, and a dial for different modes of audio. I think it's one of the best bangs for your bucks
Für wen wird dann der Mac Pro sein? Wird man auch NVIDIA-Grafikkarten damit verwenden können? Wird es auch neue Monitore und auch für die MacBooks und den 24“ iMac 120hz Displays geben?!
I understand that everybody is using scarlett interface but there are much better interfaces nowdays in same price as scarlett, so yes you can, but I have seen guy using the TLM103 with just and interface and it sounded so quiet and bad, because it was picking a lot of room noise, after he bought DBX286s the 103 finally got the sound and tone it supposed to have also he had less room noise
Go for it man! You don't NEED to have these super expensive mics (relatively speaking) to become a UA-camr. You can start with much cheaper stuff and then work your way up. That's how most people do it. Sure, they help with the quality, but seriously, your story or topics/content or whatever is MUCH more important than your gear! Trust me. I work in the music industry and I have signed multiple artists. Some submissions had GREAT sounding demos and they were using GREAT equipment and the mix was good, but the song was shit. And some had shitty quality due to their circumstances but their songs were AMAZING! Great lyrics, great arrangement, and great vocals! Which one do you think I would sign? Use what you have or what you can afford to start it! I didn't think I would do a pep talk today, but there you go! :) Have a nice one!
Excellent choice of microphones. Unfortunately they all sound suppressed and we cannot appreciate the natural qualities of these great microphones. Please remove the racks... DBX most probably are more suitable for live PA situations. It’s a learning curve for all of us.. The research continues.. 👍
A lot, it´s one of the biggest Neumann´s workhorse the 103, it sound better and fuller, it definitely is way more sensitive, it also costs more but that compromises what you get from the microphone.
@@brodiebrazil @Brodie Brazil btw, I really like your persona. The way you deliver. I ended up getting the RODE Videomic Go 2 as it's affordable. Also, for now I can use its USB feature and then when I can afford a decent camera I can use it with that. Thanks for the informative video. Subscribed.
Are you a Radio DJ? No? Then lose the compressor(!) and gate (!!) and skip the Soundcraft and go direct from preamp to convertor. Then you'll know what the word you're using, "dynamics" means. If you're ready copy for anything in the advertising world, all that processing you think is cool needs to be bypassed. You have noise in your room that you are gating? You have a different problem.
With respect, listening to a microphone comparison through a laptop speaker is mostly pointless. They're all pretty much going to sound like your laptop speaker. A pair of headphones (even cheap ones) or a near/midfield monitor setup will do you much better.
It speaks to the noise floor of the microphone. So basically, without the mic picking up any external sounds, how much noise does it make on its own. All microphones have SOME self noise. Crank up the gain enough and it sounds like a faint hiss. Some are noisier than others, as are preamps. The best combination as far as noise is concerned is a microphone with low self noise along with a very quiet, clean preamp. The major con to a setup like that, the only con really, is it tends to cost some money.
WOW thanks so much for that test! Really appreciate the work you put into this. Actually I wanted to go for the Shure SM7B and the tlm103 but hearing the 416 I changed my mind. Its not conventional for studio recording but it does a sick job and I also can use it for foley too. Its an allrounder version of the tlm103 Id say! Great that I could hear it like that in your video. Thanks again.
One of the best microphone reviews I have seen with concise and practical information. Thanks.
🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷👏🏻, Amazing video thanks for sharing!
Recently picked up a 320. I quite like it!
Finally that someone really understand what he is talking about and explains everything perfectly and using a proper audio equipement. I am tired of everyone reviewing microphones and they record them on audio recorders or digital audio interfaces and every of these mics sound same if they compare more mics, or their settings and mic technique is crappy and you don´t power SM7B with Cloudlifter which is stupid. What makes me to ask, what if you have a good audio interface that have great preamps and low self noise like Audient ID 4 MKII, put gain on 50% and plug in DBX268S 50% gain or so ( to hit 60dB or more ) for the SM7B.
Listening on studio monitors here the 416 sounds the best of the lot on this review and seems to suit your male vocal better than even the 103...I may have to treat myself for Christmas!
This video should have million of views is awesome freaking UA-cam algorithm
I still prefer my old TLM 103, it was worth every penny! One detail: He is very demanding, the acoustic treatment has to be impeccable!! Thanks for video!!
I have the ATS sound panels, they are expensive but kill unwanted sound
SM7Bs kick ass on snare drums.
This was posted in 2019 and you still have 5.7k subs. That's criminal! Where is the UA-cam algorithm?
🤷🏼♂️🤷🏼♂️🤷🏼♂️
Exactly my thought. The production quality & value is insane. I think less people care about audio anyway.
If I had the dream studio I want, or even a treated room, I would definitely want a good condenser mic. But with my current situation, the shure sm7B is perfect for podcasting and V.O.
for me the neumann sounds the most broadcast type most pleasing to listen to...
My dad just gave me the tlm 103 he used it in his band 30years ago
And I didn't even knew what I have I my hands but still looks and works like new
FYI: The TLM 103 came out in 1997 - 23 years ago.
@@FamousTVvoice xD
If you're interested in a Sennheiser MKH 416, but it's just a little out of your price range, the Rode NTG-3 is an almost identical sounding mic for $300 less. Truly fantastic shotgun mic.
I have both mic's NTG 3 and MKH416 .... MKH416 is simply the best period. Get the MKH416.
@- I also have both mics and agree the 416 is the better mic. The NTG3 is quite midbassey in comparison which can really muck up male voices if you're not careful about placement or are in a crap room.
True but rode is a Chinese copy of mkh 416 and will mot perform as well we took it on a fishing trip, it git got little and fell apart very quickly, MKH416 can handle a stort for $300 more, we use it on a houston storm and keep working like the boss of all mics.
B - Awesome session! Incredible info!
I would love to see you do the same for the typical podcasters /youtubers that don't have a room setup or are on a smaller budget.
As an example I have a Blue Yeti that goes straight into my MacBook Pro.
I think this setup (no mixer, no amps) is what more people use.
Your setup is exactly what I would expect from a professional, but we're not all in that class. :)
Well done man, Love what you did in this review
1 TLM3
2 MKH 416
3 RE 320
4 SM7B
Well done and intuitive
oh the Neumann buttery sound! But the 416 sounds great as well, and you could put it out of the frame and still get a nice "movie" sounding voice. Thanks for the comparison!
Thanks for including the RE320, rather than the RE20, as an alternative to the SM7B. I have both, and generally I like and prefer the SM7B -- but if I want something brighter, I go with the RE320. I don't think the RE20 is different enough to warrant having both that and the Shure, at the price. But the RE320 is a good option, if the darker mics are too boomy for your voice, your personal preference or your use-case.
Amazing review. Thanks man!
True, a mic with a built-in cable is prone to damage. However, according to the name on the back, you've got it in that mount up-side down - ergo it should come out underneath. Maybe the next generation of the SM7B will be a standard XLR socket instead of a cable. Sennheiser MKH 416 - why did you not mention it's a 'shotgun' mic? You did say it can be used 'off-camera' - and that's why.
Thank you for sticking to your 'list of Pros & Cons' That was most helpful. I have a couple of RE55's and PL20's + those fantastic 309 shock mounts - I've had them since 1983 - good for Orchestra.
Nice dude, hopefully you do more tech reviews. Well done.
Could you list the gear that is in the background? The audio quality is very good
Useful review if you don't have the microphones in question and want to compare them as properly as possible.
But we do see other DBX's involved in the sound chain, maybe it's good to mention their specific function too?
One of the best microphone reviews. In my opinion the SM 7B sounds muffled and horrible on high frequencies (the s sound of the voice sounds like shh). Looks beautiful on camera. Requires lots of gain or a Cloud lifter (or Fethead). Cheap thin wire from the XLR connector to the mic. Shure products are made in China or Mexico. Great materials and reliability overall. Classic mic and model never looks old. Bigest competition: Electro-Voice RE-20. More expensive but better sound overall and for extra $100,oo can be used with a real Shock mount. Downside on the RE 20: The khaki color. The Sennheizer MKH 416 has a beautiful sound. The EV RE 320 reminds me of the Alex Jones show.
The RE20 is in black as well
@@tuneunleashed I know. I feel like wanting to sell right away my grey ones and get a black RE 20
The SM7B is the most overrated microphone ever. There are tons of better options for not even half the price.
Such an informative channel on sound. Thanks, and great vid!
The world of Internet love the Sm7b, The World of the Trailer and in your face sound love the mkh416, and the world smooth sound love the u87. The Sm7b is for Michael Jackson male voice, the re320 for more woman´s , the tlm103 and the u87 is for 99%, of the people. But when you love german craft microphone than you buy a WEISSKLANG it kost 500€ and sounds in the liga of the u87.
Excellent video! Thank you. The production value is on point! - Fellow UA-camr
Oiii, then, I’m Brazilian and I was researching some microphones that interest me and youtube recommended your video. Bicho, as soon as I saw the title of the channel I was excited, like, it was a Portuguese channel and stuff. Anyway, I just wondered if the name of this channel has any meaning or something like kkkk
Hey, That's was maybe the best review of these mics I have seen.
So many are obsessed with the SM7B, because everybody uses it,Well then I need it too.
BUT, the TLM103 was soooo much better in full, rich, detailed in the voice
I looked at the U87 and the TLM103, I guess I start with the TLM103 and see it that will do it.
Great video, following you from here on :)
Johnny // Sweden
Ouch. The dynamic mics really don't sound very good next to the condensers.
have to agree. they sound even better in my newer videos.
Seinhesser is KING
Yup.
Arrrrrr.... the 103 was clipping!!
Didn’t have much funds back when I started buying gear, so I landed a cheap Audio-Technica AT2020. Very simple, but gets the job done with pretty good quality for me and my recordings and music. Watching this kinda makes me wanna upgrade😅
Shure SM58 is what I use simply because of price and that you can use it in so many different situations.
57s and 58s are the ultimate super utility mics.
@@stephenrosenthal5337 58's and 57's mostly suck. You just see so many of them because they're literally impossible to kill. Every one that has ever been produced I'm convinced is still on some guitar cab or snare drum somewhere. Run it over with a bus and it'll still work...somehow.
of course a "cloud lifter" or "fethead" is required for all good dynamics.
This video save me time and money
What are your setting on the dbx 286 for the neamann mic ?
I just did a test between a no name $60 condenser USB mic and a Shure SM7B with MixPre 3 II in my untreated room with a noisy window AC unit 4ft away (the AC unit is positioned 90° off axis from both mics). The results: the cheap condenser mic picked up LESS background noise than the Shure. I’m amazed and a little bummed out by the result as I was hoping a dynamic would pick up way less background noise.
The SM7B requires so much gain that you can easily hear any background noise and it sounds worse than a much cheaper condenser mic if your room isn't terrible imo.
What's some good amps to provide good clean gain for the SM7B.
The one you mentioned MixPre-6 is $2k in Australia 😅
Sir, what preamp and ad are you using? Sounds incredible.
Ikr I wish I could have that audio
dbx 286s and a soundcraft mixer whatever that means
@@Deactrals Sound devices mixpre 6, microphone preamp
Do yourself a favor and buy the neumann is pure quality I've tested them all the neumann is the most versatile
OCD me: there's no need for a period after a headline :-)
thank you
I'm just now seeing this video (Oct.26.2020), so I hope you get this comment... I was wondering what adapters you appear to be using with the Neumann mic - attached from the shock mount to the boom arm, and from the mic XLR? Both of these would be very helpful to me as well. Thanks!
The Tlm 103 is on the EA4 shock mount attached to the rode PSA-1 arm. And connected by an XLR With 90° connector
@@brodiebrazil Thank you this helped me too.
Can't you buy a dynamic mic and shape the sound however you want it?
No it lacks the treble sparkle a condenser has, there’s no way to add it in.
You have the SM7B mic upside down on the mount, check the logo, this would place the cable on the underside out of trouble, which would fix one of your cons.
The logo is on the backplate, which can be orientated either way.
Thoughts on the NT1?
It would have been nice if you had spoken into the RE320 with the kick drum switch off so we could hear it's natural tone without that filter. I really wanted to know how different it sounded compared to the RE20.
Agreed. I thought it sounded really nice the way he had it set up though. A lot of value there.
I'm using a Neat King Bee. And for the price, this thing is amazing. I think it can compete with the Neumann, to be honest. I've seen comparisons, and it's hard to tell the difference between the Neumann 102/103 and the King Bee. It's discontinued right now, but the worker bee for $80 is still an amazing purchase
What pop filter is on the re320?
I don't know anyone who would use an SM7b for recording audio books. A good quiet condenser such as a 416 or TLM 103 would be acceptable, but using a dynamic to record long form narration is not recommend.
Hello,
Thanks for your advices.
Which boom do you recommend for a microphone like the Neumann TLM 103 for voice over?
Me and a friend use a Blue Yeti microphone and we love it. It gets evrything you want, has the gain knob on the back to have precise sensitivity, and a dial for different modes of audio. I think it's one of the best bangs for your bucks
its definitely not
@@Altair4611 bruh that was 2 years ago. At the time it was a bang for your buck 🤣🤣🤣
@@itsCorona29 still no
How many channels are you recording to, brov?
Just mono, here.
@@brodiebrazil oh, it looks like you've managed to light up every VU in the rack with your voice
What about Rode NTs?
Für wen wird dann der Mac Pro sein? Wird man auch NVIDIA-Grafikkarten damit verwenden können? Wird es auch neue Monitore und auch für die MacBooks und den 24“ iMac 120hz Displays geben?!
Can I just hook the TLM 103 up to a scarlett interface and then to a mac? The TLM sounds way better.
I understand that everybody is using scarlett interface but there are much better interfaces nowdays in same price as scarlett, so yes you can, but I have seen guy using the TLM103 with just and interface and it sounded so quiet and bad, because it was picking a lot of room noise, after he bought DBX286s the 103 finally got the sound and tone it supposed to have also he had less room noise
Dream setup. But you need to be rich a man and live in a rich country.
Personally I’d rather get an EV re20
depends what you're using it for, but i agree - great mic!
Man if I could afford these types of things.
If I had the time.
I would love to become a UA-camr. Not just sports. A wide range of topics
Go for it man! You don't NEED to have these super expensive mics (relatively speaking) to become a UA-camr. You can start with much cheaper stuff and then work your way up. That's how most people do it. Sure, they help with the quality, but seriously, your story or topics/content or whatever is MUCH more important than your gear! Trust me. I work in the music industry and I have signed multiple artists. Some submissions had GREAT sounding demos and they were using GREAT equipment and the mix was good, but the song was shit. And some had shitty quality due to their circumstances but their songs were AMAZING! Great lyrics, great arrangement, and great vocals! Which one do you think I would sign? Use what you have or what you can afford to start it! I didn't think I would do a pep talk today, but there you go! :) Have a nice one!
You don't need to spend a fortune for a talk podcast
What amps give enough CLEAN GAIN for the SM7B?
Grace M101 works great, but it’s not cheap and you need an AD converter.
The SM7B has a very noticeable emphasis on the "s" sounds which is distracting.
Excellent choice of microphones. Unfortunately they all sound suppressed and we cannot appreciate the natural qualities of these great microphones. Please remove the racks... DBX most probably are more suitable for live PA situations. It’s a learning curve for all of us.. The research continues.. 👍
What would you use for a "bad" room?
MKH-416
You can use anything as long as you're right up on it. I wouldn't boom it though.
How much beetter is the TLM 103 than the 102?
A lot, it´s one of the biggest Neumann´s workhorse the 103, it sound better and fuller, it definitely is way more sensitive, it also costs more but that compromises what you get from the microphone.
I'm a newbe, these are not for the beginner as these mics are fairly pricey. For me.
btw, I was looking at these on Amazon (ca)
yeah it's definitely not for the beginner crowd, should have declared that.
@@brodiebrazil @Brodie Brazil btw, I really like your persona. The way you deliver. I ended up getting the RODE Videomic Go 2 as it's affordable. Also, for now I can use its USB feature and then when I can afford a decent camera I can use it with that. Thanks for the informative video. Subscribed.
The 416 is extremely sibilant with your voice... lots of spiky sounding high frequencies... Not good! The TLM103 is best, in my opinion.
Are you a Radio DJ? No? Then lose the compressor(!) and gate (!!) and skip the Soundcraft and go direct from preamp to convertor. Then you'll know what the word you're using, "dynamics" means. If you're ready copy for anything in the advertising world, all that processing you think is cool needs to be bypassed. You have noise in your room that you are gating? You have a different problem.
omg... going from the 416 to the re320 was the biggest downgrade I've heard in a review yet... sheeeesh it sounded like an xbox 360 mic
your set up seems nice but it seems overly sibilant to me on my laptop, that would be 5k to 8k areas
With respect, listening to a microphone comparison through a laptop speaker is mostly pointless. They're all pretty much going to sound like your laptop speaker. A pair of headphones (even cheap ones) or a near/midfield monitor setup will do you much better.
Self-noise? Can someone explain this more please.
It speaks to the noise floor of the microphone. So basically, without the mic picking up any external sounds, how much noise does it make on its own. All microphones have SOME self noise. Crank up the gain enough and it sounds like a faint hiss. Some are noisier than others, as are preamps. The best combination as far as noise is concerned is a microphone with low self noise along with a very quiet, clean preamp. The major con to a setup like that, the only con really, is it tends to cost some money.
First
Omg you are so wordy. Cut to the point dude! You obviously love to hear yourself pontificate far too much. Hopefully this helps you down the road.
Dude go watch pewdiepie, we pike to hear the samples
Says the guy with 1 subscriber. Comments like this are from insecure narcissists who are desperate for relevancy. Sit down.
@@TheJASDrummer SHOTS FIRED!!!!
@@ghorbani I need to stay on my meds 🙃
@@TheJASDrummer all i gotta say ...is Sennheiser 416
My dude I’m 2 minutes in and I’m tired of your preaching. Don’t asume peoples budgets. Just get on w the review. Fffkkkk