I had to sell my TLM 103 due to pandemic to pay bills. I REALLY liked it on my voice. I replaced it with an LCT 440 PURE and it's an outstanding replacement for my voice. I wouldn't hesitate to get a second one so I have a pair. I did find the Neumann just a little "mellower" for my voice than the LCT but the difference is negligible. I could do far more sonic damage with poor EQ, mic placement etc versus the difference between the two mics. I wasn't able to record them side by side on the same day, just A/B-ing separate performances from the 2 mics in the same song context. I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to get another TLM 103 but I can't justify it for the price of 2 LCT 440 PUREs and enough left over to get another pair of mics like the Lewitt LCT 040 Match or something similar. I don't think anyone would have any reasonable complaints about the LCT 440 PURE. It really is a fantastic mic.
Really sorry to hear that you had to sell your fav mic. I had to sell my Shure SM7B, Rode NT1A, AKG120 and a few others. Hope you can get another TLM 103. I will get the Austrian Audio or Lewitt 44O Pure after trying the Lewitt LCT 240.
Had to sell my tlm 103 as well, this moved me to get one, i got the baby bottle sl right now and it’s fine it’s just the first mic I’ve had with a flat frequency response, and the switches for the pads broke 🤣🤣🤣🤣probably will get the 440 and if I like it better than the baby bottle use it from now on thanks for the info.
Yesterday I ordered the Lewitt 441 Flex, the multi-pattern version of the 440, for Black Friday price of $299 US. My first condenser mic, and I look forward to creating with it! cb
I have a Lewitt LCT 440 in my studio, it’s pretty much great that I expected, it’s got a warmer tone and sounds lot natural than the Rode NT1A or 2A. Good for what they offer
@Red I would recommend upgrade to Rode NT2A dont go for Lewitt. Although Lewitt offers more warmth and depth but it has only one polar pattern to capture vocal, so the singer always have to face the mic, unlike Rode it has multi pattern polar so it always grabs the best dynamics irrespective of any direction.
Alex, wonderful video. My experiences mirror yours precisely as it relates to direct comparison between these two great mics for voice over. Just purchased the Lewitt 440 a couple days ago as a "on the road" backup mic. My vocal tone is a deep bass. It is amazing how close the overall sound quality and performance of this Lewitt is to my TLM 103. Side by side direct comparison, what an absolute "WOW" moment. This truly is a real find at this price point . Highly recommended. Thank you for your video share. It led to my purchase. Subscribed to your channel. FYI: Forgot to mention. With the Lewitt 440 having the built in pop-filter, doesn’t take up any “visual space” as you are looking at your vo copy. In other words, you don’t have to look around the assy. pop-filter because of it’s size and positioning, while you are reading script. A Really Cool Feature in and by itself.
LCT440 is awesome, the mic is bright for sure (EQ does the job), but I've never had any problems with sibilances (compared to NT2000). The big plus is a compact size + magnetic pop-filter. Unbeatable price/value IMHO.
It took a little while to hear the difference but I really think it caught my attention after 4:25 from the lewitt to the neumann, the neumann sounds more full.
This is amazing. I always used a Newman at my work and my dream was having one in my home studio setup. It’s great to know that I can have the same quality for less money! Thanks for this video
You're right, not having to "manipulate" the audio in post is a huge gain, especially when you live from recording (as in my case) and you don't have time to adjust. I am VO and I work everything from my home studio, I only use my TLM 103, my Antelope interface and the resulting audio has a "brutal" quality. Now, with the pandemic, most of VO work from home and if we deliver "polished" audio, we complicate the work for the audio engineers. As you say while it can be processed out it is nice to not have to.
Good video, thank you. I do hear a significant difference. The LCT is harsh and sibilant in this comparison. The TLM is a bit warmer and more rounded. I think the LCT 540 S is the one that compares and sounds more like the TLM 103
With this video, it sounds to me that the Neumann is more accurate and detailed, which translates to being able to hear more of the environment surrounding it. I can hear more room reverberation with the Neumann, and the bass is a little more pronounced. The Lewitt sounds a bit more focused, with less low end and more mid/high presence. Great work. Thanks for the comparison!
Hi Alex, I'd like to politely point you to the dialogue from around 1:45, which is not correct. When you isolate the variables in a mic capsule design, a larger diaphragm area will make the mic more sensitive, not less. That is, the larger surface area can convert the pressure on the capsule to a greater electrical signal. But diaphragm area is just one of many variables to balance in the mic design. Also, don't confuse sensitivity with the proximity effect. The ability to reject background noise is a function of the proximity effect, not sensitivity. The reason dynamic mics are typically said to have 'good background noise rejection' is because the sensitivity of dynamic mics is generally low. Subsequently, you have to move much closer (proximity) to the dynamic mic to get enough audio level. When you are closer to the mic, the SPL of your voice, as compared to the background noise, is much higher. Really nice video. Thanks.
What he says makes sense to me from my experience with small diaphragms. Mine tend to pick up more ambient noises than my large diaphragms. What you're saying re sensitivity of large diaphragms also makes sense. My assumption is this: the large diaphragms create more energy so are louder and therefore perseived as more sensitive but the threshold of sensitivity is quieter for small diaphragms because there is less mass to move. So small diaphragms will be quieter but still pick up quieter sounds than the large diaphragms. Does this assumption seem correct to anyone else?
Larger capsule = more signal, but in Condenser microphones it is the impedance matching network that determines the output signal. Proximity effect has nothing to do with suppression of background noise, but is bass lift in pressure gradient microphone capsules (anything other than Omni directionality) when placed in the direct sound field, as opposed to the diffuse field. A microphone's ability to suppress background noise usually has something to do with directionality. But there is a big difference between different microphone brands. For example, a DPA 4011 (Cardioid Characteristics) is good at suppressing background noise, whereas a Schoeps with MK4 capsule (Cardioid Characteristics) picks up more ambient sound (background noise). So the only way to check how much background noise two microphones with the same characteristics pick up is by listening to them. Do your own research. If you are good at physics and know something about wave theory it is not that hard. My comment is kindly intended. I have 30 years of experience as a sound engineer.
@@m.i.andersen8167 is my assumption in my previous comment correct? Does capsule size (or mass) determine the mic's ability to pick up quieter sound sources? ie: small diaphragms can pick up quieter sounds (eg background noise) but because larger diaphragms typically generate a higher electrical signal and therefore have a higher signal to noise ratio they are perceived as more sensitive. In reality they are louder and not more 'sensitive'.
@@MrDwyerb No. Size and mass have no effect on unwanted sound (background noise). Only directionality and the distance of the microphone capsule to the sound source in relation to the sound source that generates the unwanted sound have an effect on the difference in the level from the two sound sources. To reduce the unwanted sound when recording speech, you can use a more directional microphone, (Supercardioid, or a shotgun microphone), but it has a price; more coloring of the sound. The best and cheapest way to reduce unwanted sound is to speak closer to the microphone, or make a greater distance to the unwanted sound source. It's reasonably easy if it's a noisy fan. If the noise comes from the outside, the solution is to get the noise makers to go away, soundproof the walls, or move to a quieter place. A larger microphone diaphragm provides a larger coupling to the air which transmits the sound, and in condenser microphones, a larger electrostatic field which means bigger electrical signal, but this applies to both sound close and far away. The voltage between membrane and rear electrode is also of great importance on the level of the output signal. The mass of the diaphragm influences the resonance system of the microphone. So less mass means that the microphone can more easily reproduce the high frequencies. Louder is the same as more sensitive (mV out at, typically, 1 Pa sound pressure) Sorry! it got way too long ... And now they're yelling for me to get out on the balcony before the wine gets lukewarm.
@@m.i.andersen8167 brilliant reply!! Thanks so much for the explanation. Some questions are coming to mind based on what you've said but you've helped more than enough so I'll take them to google. Enjoy the wine 😂.
Great video comparison. Easy to hear the differences in frequency response. Not crazy about the word, "harsh." Looked at the graphs from both companies. The Neuman begins to rise just before 5k and the Lewitt begins to rise about 1.5k and is up a fair amount by 5K. This could create some "splatter" of ess's but the air and presence of the Lewitt is impressive. With processing in place they ARE very similar. Price difference is worth a bit of eq attenuation when needed. Nice job on the video without a bunch of subjective opinions (or cursing.) Nice switching and designation of which mic we are hearing too. My 440 is on order. This will help to know what to expect next to my C-214 and a TLM 102 (not 103,) so, Thanks!
I haven't tried the Lewitt condensers yet. But after buying the dynamic 440 and 550 on a whim, I sold all my Shures and Sennheisers. They're good mics and priced very well.
Thanks for this video. It told me all I need to know about the Lewitt..a mic I've been contemplating buying. You made my decision to buy it much easier.
They're both great. The neumann is softer more balanced. But you can put the windscreen on the lct440 and that would help on the hardness. The lct is very clear and sensitive. For the price it's awesome.
I am using the Lewitt LCT 640 TS for recording my UA-cam videos live and I can say it’s the best mic I’ve ever tried. This Lewitt pure sounded harsh to me in your video. You’re totally right. Neumann sounds better! I wonder how it would go side to side with the 640. I almost bought the Neumann TLM 102 when I was choosing the best options for me. I hope more people start trying the Lewitt stuff because they are awesome!
Great comparison and insights, Alex. As always. Vocalists and VO folks I know like the Lewitt mics in general. Great value. Thanks very much for posting.
The Neumann definitely has a bit more low-mid presence and the lewitt sounds definitely harsher and lacks just a touch of mids, nothing that you can't edit through a slight EQ. I'm actually considering it too. If I like how it sounds with acoustics or something I might wonder if it wouldn't be a good idea to get a pair to record in stereo
Thank you for this comparison. I always look for reviews of the LCT 440 Pure. Some thoughts about this review: The Lewitt LCT 440 Pure indeed sounds more sharp. This is something, that was apparent to me already, when i saw a comparison between it and the RØDE NT1. In fact, i wished i would see a review of the TLM103 and the RØDE NT1 from you, but the NT1 has been around for some time and buying the NT1 naturally is out of the question. If you need less gain on your audio interface for the same level, you get less self-noise, relative to the loudness of the sound you're recording. So in this regard, the LCT 440 Pure would actually be in a slight advantage. That is, if the impedance of the microphones doesn't count here But as far as I know, the impedance of the microphone connected does directly influence the noise behavior. The Neumann TLM 103 has an impedance of 50 ohms, while the Lewitt LCT 440 Pure has an impedance of 110 ohms. To be fair, the rated load impedance on both microphones is the same at 1kHz. So I cannot tell, whether the impedance off load does make any difference here. To me, the fact that the big brother of the LCT 440 Pure, namingly the LCT 540 S has an Equivalent noise level of 4 dBA, as opposed to the TLM103's 7dBA becomes really interesting. In fact, the RØDE NT1 is interesting in that regard, coming in at 4.5dBA of equivelent noise at a price tag similar to the LCT 440 Pure. Or lets say, it would be, if I had a really dead silent recording room with no reverb. Because if you don't, the really low noise level of microphone X doesn't count for much. It doesn't matter, what kind of noise it is - both degrades the sound quality if you have to deal with it.
Fantastic comparison video! Lewitt is ordered and on the way! Definitely had to subscribe to your channel and look forward to seeing more content from ya man
yes! i have a rode nt1 4th gen and to see these 2 u did a wonder was deciding if i should go 440pure to give myself room to see if i like the boosted highs thats the rode and u87 doesnt have there more flat charted or 440 pure and tlm 103 sound ,! trying the 440pure thanks after def a neumann mic
Thanks for this review. I own a Neumann U87 collectors edition, as well as an AKG 214. So what’s the problem and why am I on the hunt for a new mic? I’m after something economical and good to just be able to throw in my suitcase for when I’m on the road. The Neumann is too precious and of value to throw into my suitcase when travelling. I record a lot in hotel rooms when I make my singing videos. The AKG is what I’ve been taking with me in my suitcase, but she’s becoming a little battered and chipped from all the travel and she was the last one to be made in Vienna, so I want to keep her safe. I spent thousands on my Neumann and simply couldn’t justify spending a lot more on a third mic. After seeing your review I’ll be going with the Lewitt.
The 440 has less mids…. Thinner mic for sure, but I have tried the 103 a while back and it has incredible mids, I tried the 441 flex and honestly found it to be priced specifically at its actual price, while the 103 does sound like a mic above 1k
I like the Neumann it’s really warm , I really liked the 240 pro it got me along way but the 440 is a better upgrade due to my clients not having a high end voice
I certainly couldn't hear any difference, but then I'm not an audiophile. I was expecting the eq curve on the screens behind you to go flat when you said you were using the raw output, but they didn't. Are they not actually what I thought they were?
The 103 is definitely smoother on the top end. That harsh top end on the Lewitt could get irritating. But, as demonstrated, you can process that harshness out.
Im wearing Neumann headphones and I can tell the difference between the two, the 103 definitely sounds better. Granted the lewitt is pretty comparable.
The midrange sounded much more natural on the TLM. It's actually more important than some might think. That being said, paying a WHOLE GRAND more for it.. I dunno.. It better help pay the rent.
@@SimonChampagne content over gear surely! and the lewitt delivers great results. have used it on drums, acoustic guitar, mandoline, percussion, voice over and vocals and it always gave great results. especially on the drums! and that for under 300 bucks!!! we somehow need to make that bet happen :D :D
Personally I thought the Neumann sounded better, not $1,000 better- but better. One thing I did notice was that both examples sounded an awful lot better with the processing turned off.
Great review, Alex; thank you. I actually think the Lexar sounds better unprocessed. And what you do when you process your audio makes the final sound of your voice fantastic, on both microphones.
In Germany the Neumann is 899,-, the Lewitt 265,-. I like the Lewitt mics a lot. But what you get for your money buying a TLM 103 is o.k., too. I just wouldn’t buy the Neumann with the overpriced shock mount. To be fair these accessories are included in the Lewitt package.
I have been using the 440 Pure for over a year now on different sources including voice over for podcast and on a spoken word project, but also acoustic instruments and it never failed me. It is true that is has more pronounced sibilance area, but nothing I was't able to fix. And to be honest, some people like the sibilant sounds! So this is mostly a case of taste. When it comes to the clarity and the amount of details being picked up the difference in price is just not justified. :D
As always, a great movie, I left my thumb up! What is the best indoor microphone in your opinion? I am rolling a sitcom and currently looking for the best (price is not very important). Thank you for your help :)
@@AIishereFOR Sennheiser MKH 8050 and Schoeps CMC641 are very popular (and EXPENSIVE) indoor boom mics in untreated spaces. That being said if Alex does reply to you I would trust whatever he says considering his experience in the industry.
Schoeps MK41 is a great choice, Sennheiser 8050 is also pretty common. The MKH50 is another option but prone to handling noise. Would definitely go with Schoeps as the first choice if possible, a lot of pro production mixers are using their mics at this point.
@@axk How do you feel about the Oktava MK-012 on the budget end of things? Would there be a better option in that $200-$300 price range for this type of environment we have been talking about here?
Hi Alex, thanks for the detailed comparison. To my ears, TLM 103 is clearly more precise in the top end. With a mid-volume voice over test, at optimal distance, you operate both mics well within their comfort zone. My general experience is that the difference between budget and higher end mics is more prominent at corner stone conditions (a very dynamic singer for example). That said, for the purpose you tested them for, the Lewitt seems indeed a valid budget alternative.
He just eq’d and compressed the vocals a little. Eq to clean up some of the harsh and muddy frequencies. And compressed the vocals to even out the levels a little
@@Amaury1514 Yeah but it doesn't sound better to me, and I'm listening to this video through Etymotic ER-4SR IEMs that have been EQ-ed, so I'm sure it's not my equipment that's colouring what I'm hearing. Is it down to personal preference then?
Even if i liked the Neumann 1/6th as much as the Lewitt, i can buy six Lewitt's and mic a whole drum kit with the Lewitt for the price of a single low-end Neumann
If you haven’t tried Harrison’s AVA De-Esser, that’s probably my favorite sounding standalone (ie not part of a channel strip). Not the best to look at, but sounds really natural to my ears.
Honestly i think people are still bias on these mics base off price even after hearing them....if you wouldve said the lewitt is worth $1600 , people would lean more towards it.regardless both mics are excellent
These harsh overtones the 440 does are very noticeable compared to the 103. For me, this is a knock-out criterion. I like the Lewitt sound but I would move up the ladder quite a few steps to the 840 or better yet, the 940. That would put it in the same price range as the 103, I know. But there’s way better versatility. The clarity of the 103 is second to none. But the mids of the Lewitt are better.
Super helpful! I have a 103 and was interested in the Lewitt. After hearing it for a few seconds, I knew I'd rather pick up a second 103 than a pair of the Lewitts. Thank you!
I used a Zoom H2n portable recorder with it’s 4 polar patterns and switch it to stereo. There was a very close lightning strike while I was holding the recorder above my head (not recommended) and was delighted with the results. It was so loud that I thought it would distort due to overload but looking at the waveform on screen it was very clean. I could send you the clip if you message me on here.
Hi! How about LTM 102 as a alternative to the 103 considering its lower price? would there be that much of a diference between this Neumann model and the Lewitt for VO?
Take Rode Nt1 black mic as alternative of 103. 103 is same with Nt1 (without "a") just have little less sibilance and little more open top. It can fix so easy with EQ boost on Nt1 to sound like tlm 103.
There's one thing that comparisons like these don't really take to account: Durability. How long can a cheap mic last in normal use vs. an expensive mic? This comes down to internal components, the metal quality in the electric connections, all that stuff. This is true in almost all sound equipment: Component quality, build quality, resistance towards humidity etc. That's super important. My experience is in general that a more expensive choice usually lasts way longer.
Hello Alex, thanks for the great comparison! I was wondering - would you have any tips for recording a rocket engine during a static test on a super low budget? The gear I have are Tascam dr-40 and dr-70D recorders, a Røde NTG-2, Saramonic Blink 500 Wireless unit+lav and another cheap, no-name 3.5mm jack lav. Any suggestions on how to best use my setup while minimizing risk around a hot, rattling environment of a rocket engine? Or would you suggest buying cheap recorders just for the purpose? Also curious where, how and how far away would you mount each piece? Don't want to use a lot of your time, so if you had a quick suggestion/plan in mind I would highly appreciate it! I'm not a sound engineer, by the way, I only work with sound as a freelance videographer.
@@axk It is! :) Thanks for the response. You can see a similar test setup here from 6:35 (ua-cam.com/video/koSpj1rMdYk/v-deo.html). I can set up equipment as close as I want, but there's an increased risk of things melting the closer you get, of course. Setting up something directly above or behind the engine would be the safest place, anything in front of the engine closer than 30ft away would get rather hot.
Hi, Im torn between the Lewitt LCT 440 and the Shure SM7B, @alex_Knickerbocker, which one would you reccomend to voiceover, livestreaming and podcasting between these two?
Definitely depends on your voice and the recording environment, but both are great options! I would personally go with the SM7B for my voice in the voiceover world, but best thing is to demo them both if you can and use what sounds best to your ears!
Every time you change back to the Lewitt, after a longer period with the Neumann, I am disappointed. Amazing for the price, but I can hear a difference. I wonder how they compare with instruments.
I had to sell my TLM 103 due to pandemic to pay bills. I REALLY liked it on my voice. I replaced it with an LCT 440 PURE and it's an outstanding replacement for my voice. I wouldn't hesitate to get a second one so I have a pair. I did find the Neumann just a little "mellower" for my voice than the LCT but the difference is negligible. I could do far more sonic damage with poor EQ, mic placement etc versus the difference between the two mics. I wasn't able to record them side by side on the same day, just A/B-ing separate performances from the 2 mics in the same song context. I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to get another TLM 103 but I can't justify it for the price of 2 LCT 440 PUREs and enough left over to get another pair of mics like the Lewitt LCT 040 Match or something similar. I don't think anyone would have any reasonable complaints about the LCT 440 PURE. It really is a fantastic mic.
Really sorry to hear that you had to sell your fav mic. I had to sell my Shure SM7B, Rode NT1A, AKG120 and a few others. Hope you can get another TLM 103. I will get the Austrian Audio or Lewitt 44O Pure after trying the Lewitt LCT 240.
@@QuantumGamingUploads That means a lot to me. Thank you for you kind words!
Had to sell my tlm 103 as well, this moved me to get one, i got the baby bottle sl right now and it’s fine it’s just the first mic I’ve had with a flat frequency response, and the switches for the pads broke 🤣🤣🤣🤣probably will get the 440 and if I like it better than the baby bottle use it from now on thanks for the info.
@Homework Etc. Solutions you're welcome, hope it helps you make the best music you can!
Neumann sounds a touch “warmer” but it’s really close. Impressive.
I agree I hear that too
Yesterday I ordered the Lewitt 441 Flex, the multi-pattern version of the 440, for Black Friday price of $299 US. My first condenser mic, and I look forward to creating with it! cb
I have a Lewitt LCT 440 in my studio, it’s pretty much great that I expected, it’s got a warmer tone and sounds lot natural than the Rode NT1A or 2A. Good for what they offer
@Red I would recommend upgrade to Rode NT2A dont go for Lewitt. Although Lewitt offers more warmth and depth but it has only one polar pattern to capture vocal, so the singer always have to face the mic, unlike Rode it has multi pattern polar so it always grabs the best dynamics irrespective of any direction.
@@officialsylt I hate my NT2A because I find it too harsh 🥲
@@officialsylt damn u really are a og
440 seems to be just about the best damn mic in terms of price to performance, its insane!
You forgot the King Bee ^^
103 sounded more full and warm when you got closer. Thank you! The algorithm definitely worked today!
Alex, wonderful video. My experiences mirror yours precisely as it relates to direct comparison between these two great mics for voice over. Just purchased
the Lewitt 440 a couple days ago as a "on the road" backup mic. My vocal tone is a deep bass. It is amazing how close the overall sound quality and performance
of this Lewitt is to my TLM 103. Side by side direct comparison, what an absolute "WOW" moment. This truly is a real find at this price point . Highly recommended.
Thank you for your video share. It led to my purchase. Subscribed to your channel.
FYI: Forgot to mention. With the Lewitt 440 having the built in pop-filter, doesn’t take up any “visual space” as you are looking at your vo copy. In other words, you don’t have to look around the assy. pop-filter because of it’s size and positioning, while you are reading script.
A Really Cool Feature in and by itself.
LCT440 is awesome, the mic is bright for sure (EQ does the job), but I've never had any problems with sibilances (compared to NT2000). The big plus is a compact size + magnetic pop-filter. Unbeatable price/value IMHO.
It took a little while to hear the difference but I really think it caught my attention after 4:25 from the lewitt to the neumann, the neumann sounds more full.
Is it 1000 bucks more full tho? You can just EQ them to sound identical
@@wm1573 You are correct.
I love this brand so much. The 440 pure is great but is also their lower mid range option on price. Even the smaller 240s are incredible.
This is amazing. I always used a Newman at my work and my dream was having one in my home studio setup. It’s great to know that I can have the same quality for less money! Thanks for this video
The Lewitt LCT 440 Pure is picking up much more sibilance than the Neumann. While it can be processed out it is nice to not have to.
LEWITT LCT 540 SUBZERO solves that problem. Sounds amazing.
You can just use a D-essr
I agree with not having to. I know own the AE5400 and love the lows and low mids on it but it can be a little bit sibilant. I use a de esser.
@@jefparker you can fixt that in post too
You're right, not having to "manipulate" the audio in post is a huge gain, especially when you live from recording (as in my case) and you don't have time to adjust. I am VO and I work everything from my home studio, I only use my TLM 103, my Antelope interface and the resulting audio has a "brutal" quality. Now, with the pandemic, most of VO work from home and if we deliver "polished" audio, we complicate the work for the audio engineers. As you say while it can be processed out it is nice to not have to.
I have the Lewitt and it’s absolutely fantastic.
Does it sound great for clean electric guitar on a Fender Vibrolux?
Good video, thank you. I do hear a significant difference. The LCT is harsh and sibilant in this comparison. The TLM is a bit warmer and more rounded. I think the LCT 540 S is the one that compares and sounds more like the TLM 103
With this video, it sounds to me that the Neumann is more accurate and detailed, which translates to being able to hear more of the environment surrounding it. I can hear more room reverberation with the Neumann, and the bass is a little more pronounced. The Lewitt sounds a bit more focused, with less low end and more mid/high presence. Great work. Thanks for the comparison!
Hi Alex, I'd like to politely point you to the dialogue from around 1:45, which is not correct. When you isolate the variables in a mic capsule design, a larger diaphragm area will make the mic more sensitive, not less. That is, the larger surface area can convert the pressure on the capsule to a greater electrical signal. But diaphragm area is just one of many variables to balance in the mic design. Also, don't confuse sensitivity with the proximity effect. The ability to reject background noise is a function of the proximity effect, not sensitivity. The reason dynamic mics are typically said to have 'good background noise rejection' is because the sensitivity of dynamic mics is generally low. Subsequently, you have to move much closer (proximity) to the dynamic mic to get enough audio level. When you are closer to the mic, the SPL of your voice, as compared to the background noise, is much higher.
Really nice video. Thanks.
What he says makes sense to me from my experience with small diaphragms. Mine tend to pick up more ambient noises than my large diaphragms. What you're saying re sensitivity of large diaphragms also makes sense. My assumption is this: the large diaphragms create more energy so are louder and therefore perseived as more sensitive but the threshold of sensitivity is quieter for small diaphragms because there is less mass to move. So small diaphragms will be quieter but still pick up quieter sounds than the large diaphragms. Does this assumption seem correct to anyone else?
Larger capsule = more signal, but in Condenser microphones it is the impedance matching network that determines the output signal.
Proximity effect has nothing to do with suppression of background noise, but is bass lift in pressure gradient microphone capsules (anything other than Omni directionality) when placed in the direct sound field, as opposed to the diffuse field. A microphone's ability to suppress background noise usually has something to do with directionality. But there is a big difference between different microphone brands. For example, a DPA 4011 (Cardioid Characteristics) is good at suppressing background noise, whereas a Schoeps with MK4 capsule (Cardioid Characteristics) picks up more ambient sound (background noise). So the only way to check how much background noise two microphones with the same characteristics pick up is by listening to them.
Do your own research. If you are good at physics and know something about wave theory it is not that hard.
My comment is kindly intended. I have 30 years of experience as a sound engineer.
@@m.i.andersen8167 is my assumption in my previous comment correct? Does capsule size (or mass) determine the mic's ability to pick up quieter sound sources? ie: small diaphragms can pick up quieter sounds (eg background noise) but because larger diaphragms typically generate a higher electrical signal and therefore have a higher signal to noise ratio they are perceived as more sensitive. In reality they are louder and not more 'sensitive'.
@@MrDwyerb No. Size and mass have no effect on unwanted sound (background noise). Only directionality and the distance of the microphone capsule to the sound source in relation to the sound source that generates the unwanted sound have an effect on the difference in the level from the two sound sources. To reduce the unwanted sound when recording speech, you can use a more directional microphone, (Supercardioid, or a shotgun microphone), but it has a price; more coloring of the sound. The best and cheapest way to reduce unwanted sound is to speak closer to the microphone, or make a greater distance to the unwanted sound source. It's reasonably easy if it's a noisy fan. If the noise comes from the outside, the solution is to get the noise makers to go away, soundproof the walls, or move to a quieter place.
A larger microphone diaphragm provides a larger coupling to the air which transmits the sound, and in condenser microphones, a larger electrostatic field which means bigger electrical signal, but this applies to both sound close and far away. The voltage between membrane and rear electrode is also of great importance on the level of the output signal.
The mass of the diaphragm influences the resonance system of the microphone. So less mass means that the microphone can more easily reproduce the high frequencies.
Louder is the same as more sensitive (mV out at, typically, 1 Pa sound pressure)
Sorry! it got way too long ... And now they're yelling for me to get out on the balcony before the wine gets lukewarm.
@@m.i.andersen8167 brilliant reply!! Thanks so much for the explanation. Some questions are coming to mind based on what you've said but you've helped more than enough so I'll take them to google. Enjoy the wine 😂.
Great video comparison. Easy to hear the differences in frequency response. Not crazy about the word, "harsh." Looked at the graphs from both companies. The Neuman begins to rise just before 5k and the Lewitt begins to rise about 1.5k and is up a fair amount by 5K. This could create some "splatter" of ess's but the air and presence of the Lewitt is impressive. With processing in place they ARE very similar. Price difference is worth a bit of eq attenuation when needed. Nice job on the video without a bunch of subjective opinions (or cursing.) Nice switching and designation of which mic we are hearing too. My 440 is on order. This will help to know what to expect next to my C-214 and a TLM 102 (not 103,) so, Thanks!
Hi there, Did you order the 440? how does it compare to your tlm 102? the lewitt 440 is a good alternative for tlm102.
I haven't tried the Lewitt condensers yet. But after buying the dynamic 440 and 550 on a whim, I sold all my Shures and Sennheisers. They're good mics and priced very well.
Thanks for this video. It told me all I need to know about the Lewitt..a mic I've been contemplating buying. You made my decision to buy it much easier.
I own both mics and prefer the sound of the Lewitt.Anyone want to buy my Neumann?
How much?
How much?
I just bought the Lewitt thanks for the comment
*cries in blue yeti for 5 years*
Hopefully I can work out what to upgrade to with your videos 😁
Did u upgrade Jarrod?
duuuude same here :,) did you upgrade yet? i know i’m definitely getting the 440 pure soon!
They're both great. The neumann is softer more balanced. But you can put the windscreen on the lct440 and that would help on the hardness. The lct is very clear and sensitive. For the price it's awesome.
I am using the Lewitt LCT 640 TS for recording my UA-cam videos live and I can say it’s the best mic I’ve ever tried. This Lewitt pure sounded harsh to me in your video. You’re totally right. Neumann sounds better! I wonder how it would go side to side with the 640. I almost bought the Neumann TLM 102 when I was choosing the best options for me. I hope more people start trying the Lewitt stuff because they are awesome!
Great comparison and insights, Alex. As always. Vocalists and VO folks I know like the Lewitt mics in general. Great value. Thanks very much for posting.
The Neumann definitely has a bit more low-mid presence and the lewitt sounds definitely harsher and lacks just a touch of mids, nothing that you can't edit through a slight EQ. I'm actually considering it too. If I like how it sounds with acoustics or something I might wonder if it wouldn't be a good idea to get a pair to record in stereo
This vid was mad nice, it really made me feel more confident in my purchase of a 440
I've decided to go with the 440 pure for the time being. And pick up the TLM 103 in a few weeks. Looking forward to both
It's 2022 and I've just bought the 440. I think I've made the right decision in this price bracket at this present time.
Thank you for this comparison. I always look for reviews of the LCT 440 Pure. Some thoughts about this review: The Lewitt LCT 440 Pure indeed sounds more sharp. This is something, that was apparent to me already, when i saw a comparison between it and the RØDE NT1. In fact, i wished i would see a review of the TLM103 and the RØDE NT1 from you, but the NT1 has been around for some time and buying the NT1 naturally is out of the question. If you need less gain on your audio interface for the same level, you get less self-noise, relative to the loudness of the sound you're recording. So in this regard, the LCT 440 Pure would actually be in a slight advantage. That is, if the impedance of the microphones doesn't count here But as far as I know, the impedance of the microphone connected does directly influence the noise behavior. The Neumann TLM 103 has an impedance of 50 ohms, while the Lewitt LCT 440 Pure has an impedance of 110 ohms. To be fair, the rated load impedance on both microphones is the same at 1kHz. So I cannot tell, whether the impedance off load does make any difference here. To me, the fact that the big brother of the LCT 440 Pure, namingly the LCT 540 S has an Equivalent noise level of 4 dBA, as opposed to the TLM103's 7dBA becomes really interesting. In fact, the RØDE NT1 is interesting in that regard, coming in at 4.5dBA of equivelent noise at a price tag similar to the LCT 440 Pure. Or lets say, it would be, if I had a really dead silent recording room with no reverb. Because if you don't, the really low noise level of microphone X doesn't count for much. It doesn't matter, what kind of noise it is - both degrades the sound quality if you have to deal with it.
Fantastic comparison video! Lewitt is ordered and on the way! Definitely had to subscribe to your channel and look forward to seeing more content from ya man
The Rode NT1 would probably be much more like the Neumann as it's Freq response is a lot flatter, and it's about same price as Lewitt 440
Definitely prefer the Neumann but you can’t complain about the LCT considering the price. Which one would last longer, though? Time for the drop test.
Should I buy the Tlm 103 or the new Lewitt pure tube?
yes! i have a rode nt1 4th gen and to see these 2 u did a wonder was deciding if i should go 440pure to give myself room to see if i like the boosted highs thats the rode and u87 doesnt have there more flat charted or 440 pure and tlm 103 sound ,! trying the 440pure thanks after def a neumann mic
Thanks for this! Thinking about buying a 440 as an upgrade for my show Total Babble. Appreciate it!
Thanks for this review. I own a Neumann U87 collectors edition, as well as an AKG 214. So what’s the problem and why am I on the hunt for a new mic? I’m after something economical and good to just be able to throw in my suitcase for when I’m on the road. The Neumann is too precious and of value to throw into my suitcase when travelling. I record a lot in hotel rooms when I make my singing videos. The AKG is what I’ve been taking with me in my suitcase, but she’s becoming a little battered and chipped from all the travel and she was the last one to be made in Vienna, so I want to keep her safe. I spent thousands on my Neumann and simply couldn’t justify spending a lot more on a third mic. After seeing your review I’ll be going with the Lewitt.
did you end up getting one, If so how does it compare ?
The 440 has less mids…. Thinner mic for sure, but I have tried the 103 a while back and it has incredible mids, I tried the 441 flex and honestly found it to be priced specifically at its actual price, while the 103 does sound like a mic above 1k
What a wonderful video. Very well done.
I like the Neumann it’s really warm , I really liked the 240 pro it got me along way but the 440 is a better upgrade due to my clients not having a high end voice
I have both mikes...Neumann really is more detailed...But I'm very happy with the Lewitt's that I have.....Great Mics!! I use them on everything..
Hey, Alex. Nicely presented video. Thanks ,Man.
Considering the price difference there's nothing to discuss. Snatching up that 440 Pure Vida Edition asap.
Wow.. I'm impressed how close Lewitt is - especially at that price point!
I certainly couldn't hear any difference, but then I'm not an audiophile. I was expecting the eq curve on the screens behind you to go flat when you said you were using the raw output, but they didn't. Are they not actually what I thought they were?
The 103 is definitely smoother on the top end. That harsh top end on the Lewitt could get irritating. But, as demonstrated, you can process that harshness out.
Wish you had indicated which mic was used in the audio we hear in the first half of the video
I have two TLM 103. What UA-cam does in processing the audio may diminish some differences that may be more audible through an uncompressed system.
for 300 bucks it's kinda worth it, but the harsh top. end with the sibilance is what kill sit for me.
Do u hear for EQ and De-esser? That stuff can save u 1000$.
Both does sound really similar kinda difficult to notice any differences.
Im wearing Neumann headphones and I can tell the difference between the two, the 103 definitely sounds better. Granted the lewitt is pretty comparable.
@mike No, LCT 440 isn't a good upgrade. NT1 and 440 are almost similar. Just nt1 has more brighter end than 440.
The Neumann just sounds a little more transparent. As you would expect with the different price tags!
The midrange sounded much more natural on the TLM. It's actually more important than some might think. That being said, paying a WHOLE GRAND more for it.. I dunno.. It better help pay the rent.
As any investment should
I bet you can't tell the difference in an A/B blind comparison and surely not in a full mix of music :D
@@raphaeleckert7946 I'd take that bet! But if you mean "Content matters way more than gear" I'm with ya 100%.
@@SimonChampagne content over gear surely! and the lewitt delivers great results. have used it on drums, acoustic guitar, mandoline, percussion, voice over and vocals and it always gave great results. especially on the drums! and that for under 300 bucks!!! we somehow need to make that bet happen :D :D
@@raphaeleckert7946 I use their little 040's on OH and they are ridiculously good for the price.
Personally I thought the Neumann sounded better, not $1,000 better- but better. One thing I did notice was that both examples sounded an awful lot better with the processing turned off.
Great review, Alex; thank you. I actually think the Lexar sounds better unprocessed. And what you do when you process your audio makes the final sound of your voice fantastic, on both microphones.
It really does sound great to my ears, I’m pretty impressed!
In Germany the Neumann is 899,-, the Lewitt 265,-.
I like the Lewitt mics a lot. But what you get for your money buying a TLM 103 is o.k., too. I just wouldn’t buy the Neumann with the overpriced shock mount. To be fair these accessories are included in the Lewitt package.
Okay. Now we know what Serj Tankian has been up to as of late. Mic comparison vids 🤔👍
If you’re not good at engineering the pure. If your experienced in mixing a warm flat mic like the Neumann gives you full control.
Excellent comparison, Alex. I think I'm going to purchase the Lewitt LCT 440 Pure. Love your channel :)
Well done comparison. Thank you.
Great comparison
Your processing is amazing - can you share what your process chain in?
I have been using the 440 Pure for over a year now on different sources including voice over for podcast and on a spoken word project, but also acoustic instruments and it never failed me. It is true that is has more pronounced sibilance area, but nothing I was't able to fix. And to be honest, some people like the sibilant sounds! So this is mostly a case of taste. When it comes to the clarity and the amount of details being picked up the difference in price is just not justified. :D
Nice Review . Both Sounds Amazing I can listen little Sibilance on LCT 440 . But that can be controlled with the Plugin.
Which table mic stand is that? Which strong table mic stand with the base recommend?
As always, a great movie, I left my thumb up! What is the best indoor microphone in your opinion? I am rolling a sitcom and currently looking for the best (price is not very important). Thank you for your help :)
Ever played with the Oktava MK012? While still considered in the budget-ish area at around $200 it is an amazing indoor boom mic.
@@GeraldBertramPhotography thank you. 😊do you know what is the standard in the industry now ?
@@AIishereFOR Sennheiser MKH 8050 and Schoeps CMC641 are very popular (and EXPENSIVE) indoor boom mics in untreated spaces. That being said if Alex does reply to you I would trust whatever he says considering his experience in the industry.
Schoeps MK41 is a great choice, Sennheiser 8050 is also pretty common. The MKH50 is another option but prone to handling noise. Would definitely go with Schoeps as the first choice if possible, a lot of pro production mixers are using their mics at this point.
@@axk How do you feel about the Oktava MK-012 on the budget end of things? Would there be a better option in that $200-$300 price range for this type of environment we have been talking about here?
Hi Alex, thanks for the detailed comparison. To my ears, TLM 103 is clearly more precise in the top end. With a mid-volume voice over test, at optimal distance, you operate both mics well within their comfort zone. My general experience is that the difference between budget and higher end mics is more prominent at corner stone conditions (a very dynamic singer for example). That said, for the purpose you tested them for, the Lewitt seems indeed a valid budget alternative.
I actually like the unprocessed TLM103 best. Could you please explain what processing you did to it, and why you chose to make these tweaks?
He just eq’d and compressed the vocals a little. Eq to clean up some of the harsh and muddy frequencies. And compressed the vocals to even out the levels a little
@@Amaury1514 Yeah but it doesn't sound better to me, and I'm listening to this video through Etymotic ER-4SR IEMs that have been EQ-ed, so I'm sure it's not my equipment that's colouring what I'm hearing. Is it down to personal preference then?
Very informative
Hi Alex, Can you tell me what plugins you have and their settings? I mean the background.
Honestly, the Neumann was harsher in the high end to my ears. However, the low end sounded richer.
@Cognitum Ever On what microphone? The Neumann?
Nice Video! But it looks like you have the mics at different heights? Or is that just the camera angle?
for me lewitt is better.
how do you processed these mics? can you share some of your eq and compression settings?
What post processing was done on lewitt? Thanks
Even if i liked the Neumann 1/6th as much as the Lewitt, i can buy six Lewitt's and mic a whole drum kit with the Lewitt for the price of a single low-end Neumann
Yeah, the LCT sounds a lot harsher in the top end to me, but the $1000 difference is more than enough to cover that.
plus you can add de esser later on :D
@@hithere4289 Even better, use the free TDR "Nova" plugin with the "de-esser" preset. Sounds way better then any de-esser plugin I've ever used.
If you haven’t tried Harrison’s AVA De-Esser, that’s probably my favorite sounding standalone (ie not part of a channel strip). Not the best to look at, but sounds really natural to my ears.
Thanks for this comparison. I was wondering if you have tried the Steller X2. I'm curious of your thoughts on that microphone.
Those are very comparable, it’s amazing with the difference in price. Thanks! :)
Honestly i think people are still bias on these mics base off price even after hearing them....if you wouldve said the lewitt is worth $1600 , people would lean more towards it.regardless both mics are excellent
excellent comparison!
🤠 Would the Lewitt + processing with soothe2 make it more like TLM103?
one of the best comparisons'!!!
Thank you so much
These harsh overtones the 440 does are very noticeable compared to the 103. For me, this is a knock-out criterion. I like the Lewitt sound but I would move up the ladder quite a few steps to the 840 or better yet, the 940. That would put it in the same price range as the 103, I know. But there’s way better versatility.
The clarity of the 103 is second to none. But the mids of the Lewitt are better.
Lct or rode nt2-a
Super helpful! I have a 103 and was interested in the Lewitt. After hearing it for a few seconds, I knew I'd rather pick up a second 103 than a pair of the Lewitts. Thank you!
Hi There Alex ! Pease Would u help me how can i record thunderstorms outside with which recorder ?
Thank You 😊
I used a Zoom H2n portable recorder with it’s 4 polar patterns and switch it to stereo. There was a very close lightning strike while I was holding the recorder above my head (not recommended) and was delighted with the results. It was so loud that I thought it would distort due to overload but looking at the waveform on screen it was very clean.
I could send you the clip if you message me on here.
Thank you singer of the band system of a down! this was helpfull!
Audios, in the sky, when you free your ears, eternal prize 👂
Hi! How about LTM 102 as a alternative to the 103 considering its lower price? would there be that much of a diference between this Neumann model and the Lewitt for VO?
Take Rode Nt1 black mic as alternative of 103. 103 is same with Nt1 (without "a") just have little less sibilance and little more open top. It can fix so easy with EQ boost on Nt1 to sound like tlm 103.
Great review! May I ask, what's the best way to process Recorded Audio for Video Conferences? (Zoom / Google meet)
Quick question, how did you hook it up to to that stand, I have the exact same one but the threaded end is too big?
You can buy a reducer or adapter that goes in the tread buddy :)
There's one thing that comparisons like these don't really take to account: Durability. How long can a cheap mic last in normal use vs. an expensive mic? This comes down to internal components, the metal quality in the electric connections, all that stuff. This is true in almost all sound equipment: Component quality, build quality, resistance towards humidity etc. That's super important. My experience is in general that a more expensive choice usually lasts way longer.
The 440 is really well built. Also you could buy 3 spares.
There's nothing "cheap" about the 440. It's basically built like a tank and I dare say will hold up to physical abuse better than the 103 will.
Hello Alex, thanks for the great comparison!
I was wondering - would you have any tips for recording a rocket engine during a static test on a super low budget? The gear I have are Tascam dr-40 and dr-70D recorders, a Røde NTG-2, Saramonic Blink 500 Wireless unit+lav and another cheap, no-name 3.5mm jack lav. Any suggestions on how to best use my setup while minimizing risk around a hot, rattling environment of a rocket engine? Or would you suggest buying cheap recorders just for the purpose? Also curious where, how and how far away would you mount each piece? Don't want to use a lot of your time, so if you had a quick suggestion/plan in mind I would highly appreciate it! I'm not a sound engineer, by the way, I only work with sound as a freelance videographer.
That’s a pretty interesting challenge! What kind of rocket? And what distance are you able to get within?
@@axk It is! :) Thanks for the response. You can see a similar test setup here from 6:35 (ua-cam.com/video/koSpj1rMdYk/v-deo.html). I can set up equipment as close as I want, but there's an increased risk of things melting the closer you get, of course. Setting up something directly above or behind the engine would be the safest place, anything in front of the engine closer than 30ft away would get rather hot.
@@axk Any tips? :)
Trying to decide; Stellar X2 or LCT-440
@Recommendations In Description Ahahhahah u fucking love that mic!
Thank you very much you just saves me 650 euro on a TLM 102 I already own a 440 pure.
Hi, Im torn between the Lewitt LCT 440 and the Shure SM7B, @alex_Knickerbocker, which one would you reccomend to voiceover, livestreaming and podcasting between these two?
Definitely depends on your voice and the recording environment, but both are great options! I would personally go with the SM7B for my voice in the voiceover world, but best thing is to demo them both if you can and use what sounds best to your ears!
sounds great
Every time you change back to the Lewitt, after a longer period with the Neumann, I am disappointed. Amazing for the price, but I can hear a difference. I wonder how they compare with instruments.
Forget about mics this guy looks like Serj 😳
AaahhhhhhHHHHHHH WAKE UP
I can hear those "subtle nuances" through laptop speakers...
beautiful