Mic Archive
Neumann TLM 127
Photo: Neumann, from its catalog, p. 2.

Neumann

Neumann TLM 127

Large-diaphragm condenser, transformerless; omni and cardioid on the mic, plus wide cardioid, hypercardioid and figure-8 by remote from a special power supply; pad and low cut; discontinued

Type
Condenser
Pattern
Omni / wide cardioid / cardioid / hypercardioid / figure-8
Sensitivity
−38.4 dBV/Pa
Self-noise
8 dB(A)
Max SPL
140 dB SPL
Impedance
50 Ω
Rated range
20 – 20k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the catalog, p. 5. Free field, IEC 60268-4, tolerance ±2 dB ("measured in free-field conditions (IEC 60268-4), tolerance ±2 dB", printed under the first graph). Distance not stated. Low cut and pad positions not stated.

Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.

Polar pattern

Polar pattern: from the catalog, p. 5. Free field, IEC 60268-4 (as the response). 125 Hz to 1 kHz drawn on the left half, 2 to 16 kHz on the right; the pattern is taken as symmetric. 5 dB per ring, centre -25 dB.

Compare with other mics

All specs

From the catalog
CapsuleK 127 large dual-diaphragm capsule, derived from the K 103 (TLM 103). "The wire mesh headgrille houses the large-diaphragm K 127 capsule. This capsule is derived from the K 103 (of the TLM 103)"; features: "Pressure-gradient transducer with double-diaphragm capsule (based on the K 103)" (p. 3). Diaphragm size not stated.p. 2
Self-noise8 dB(A), IEC 60268-1, A-weighting IEC 61672-1, RMS. "8 dB-A".p. 4
Self-noise (CCIR 468)20 dB, CCIR 468-3, quasi peak
Max SPL140 dB SPL, THD 0.5%; also 154 dB SPL, with preattenuation. "measured as equivalent el. input signal"; the manual: "THD of microphone amplifier at an input voltage equivalent to the capsule output at the specified SPL."
Signal-to-noise ratio86 dB, re 94 dB SPL, A-weighted; also 74 dB, re 94 dB SPL, CCIR 468-3. The 2003 manual gives only the CCIR figure (74 dB).
Dynamic range132 dB, microphone amplifier, A-weighted. The manual: "a dynamic range of 132 dB without any switchover (in accordance with DIN/IEC 651)" (p. 2).
Output impedance50 ohm, rated impedance
Rated load impedance1000 ohm, rated load impedance
Rated frequency range20 Hz to 20 kHz. "The frequency range of the TLM 127 extends well below 20 Hz" (p. 4).
Poweringphantom P48, 48 V ± 4 V (IEC 61938). The remote patterns work by varying the phantom voltage within 48 V ± 3 V (manual p. 4).
Current draw3.2 mA
Low cutoff, 100 Hz; 100 Hz; 12 dB/octave. "When the "LIN" setting is used, a high-pass filter suppresses frequencies below 15 Hz by 12 dB/octave. Alternatively, the cut-off frequency can be set to 100 Hz." "off" here is the LIN position. The slope is given for LIN; the brochure doesn't say whether the 100 Hz setting has the same slope.p. 3
ConnectorXLR-3 male. Matching connector XLR3F. Pin 1 ground, pin 2 +phase, pin 3 -phase; balanced, transformerless output (manual p. 2, which calls it a "3-pin Switchcraft connector").p. 4
Weight450 g. The manual says "approx. 450 g".
Dimensions57 × 173 mm. Diameter 57 mm, length 173 mm. The 2003 manual and launch sheet give the diameter as 58 mm.
Supplied accessoriesEA 1 elastic suspension; Wooden box. TLM 127 (mt) Set. The microphone alone came with an SG 1 stand mount; the Stereo set is two mics with two EA 1 in an aluminium case.
Max. output voltage10 dBu
Remote pattern controlSwitch position "R": the pattern is chosen from the N 248 power supply, which signals it by the absolute phantom voltage (within 48 V ± 3 V); cables up to 300 m. In "R" the mic should only be run from such a supply, else the pattern is unpredictablep. 3
PresenceIn cardioid flat up to 3 kHz, with a presence rise of 3 dB above; no electronic equalisationp. 2
VersionsTLM 127 (nickel) and TLM 127 mt (matte black); single, set and stereo setp. 4
Selected accessoriesBS 48 i, BS 48 i-2 battery supplies; N 248 power supply; DS 120 double mount; MNV 87 auditorium hanger; PS 15, PS 20 a popscreens; WS 87 windscreen; IC 3 mt cable
From the manual
Sensitivity−38.4 dBV/Pa (12 mV/Pa), 1 kHz into 1 kohm. "The output sensitivity is 12 mV/Pa = –38.4 dB re. 1 V/Pa."p. 2
Pad−14 dB. "a 14 dB attenuation switch" on the back; done "by decreasing the capsule polarizing voltage (bias)" (p. 3). Not shown in the graphs.

Documents

Copies kept by Mic Archive, because manufacturers move and drop their documents. Each is © Neumann, unchanged, with its original address.

Product page on neumann.com

Other mics