Detail 01
Cardioid only
One fixed pickup pattern. No omni or figure-8, so no stereo pairs, room capture or two-singers-facing setups.
Product detailSKU #1274034486254
NeumannTLM 102 Condenser Microphone - Nickel Silver
1/3
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Large-diaphragm cardioid condenser for a home or project studio. For someone recording vocals and loud sources who wants a Neumann without the U 87 price.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Close-miking loud amps and snare where cheaper condensers distort
- Lead vocals in a treated room, one source at a time
- Small studios buying one condenser to cover most sources
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Room, orchestral or stereo work needing multiple pattern options
- Anyone plugging into a computer without an interface or phantom power
- Untreated rooms where a dynamic would reject more of the space
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
144dB max SPL
Handles guitar cabs, snares and belted vocals up close without needing a pad switch.
Detail 03
12dB-A self noise
Quiet enough that the mic disappears on soft acoustic guitar and whispered vocals.
Detail 04
Requires 48V phantom power
Needs an interface, preamp or mixer that supplies phantom. It will not work off a plain XLR-to-USB cable.
Detail 05
260g, 116mm long
Light and short for a large-diaphragm mic, so it holds position on lighter stands and fits tight drum placements.
Detail 06
11 mV/Pa sensitivity
Hot output. Most preamps only need modest gain, which keeps preamp noise out of quiet takes.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Needs an interface or preamp with 48V phantom power and an XLR cable
- 02No shock mount or pop filter here — budget for both
- 03A boom stand is required; the mic mounts via standard thread
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Does the TLM 102 come with a shock mount?
No. It ships as the mic itself, so plan on buying a shock mount and pop filter separately along with an XLR cable.
02Can I plug it straight into my computer?
No. It needs an XLR input and 48V phantom power, which means an audio interface or a preamp between the mic and computer.
03Will it handle a loud guitar cab?
Yes. It takes up to 144dB SPL, so close-miking a cranked amp or a snare drum won't overload the capsule.
04Is it good for podcasting?
It works, but it's a condenser with one cardioid pattern — it picks up room sound. In an untreated room a dynamic mic is more forgiving.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
4 detailsSound
- Rated Impedance
- 50 ohms
- Sensitivity At 1khz Into 1kohm
- 11 mV/Pa
- Frequency Range
- 20Hz–20kHz
- Rated Load Impedance
- 1 kohms
2 detailsBody & build
- Color
- Black
- Color Finish
- Silver
3 detailsConnections & power
- Maximum Output Voltage
- 13dBu
- Supply Voltage P48 Iec 61938
- 48V ± 4V
- Matching Connector
- XLR3F
5 detailsSize & weight
- Signal to Noise Ratio A Weighted Rel 94db SPL
- 82dB
- Weight Approx
- 260 g
- Length
- 116 mm
- Equivalent Noise Level A Weighted
- 12dB-A
- Diameter
- 52 mm
5 detailsOther
- Directional Pattern
- Cardioid
- Equivalent Noise Level Ccir1
- 21dB
- Acoustical Operating Principle
- Pressure gradient transducer
- Signal to Noise Ratio Ccir1 Rel 94db SPL
- 73dB
- Maximum SPL For Thd 0 5
- 144dB
