Neumann TLM 103 Studio Set

Not sure why this mic became so popular, as I don't find its character useful on enough sound sources to warrant the price. It has a lot of weight in the lower frequencies, and a lot of sparkle on top. The lower mid is rather scooped, so you essentially get a smiley face type of character. This can of course be useful, but in real life this is mostly for getting dull sound sources to rise and shine.

I think it's excellent on raspy male voices that need all the clarity they can get. I've also used it on upright bass, and on some occasions on some acoustic guitars that needed to be brought to life. It would probably have been good in front of a kick drum, if it had been equipped with a pad. It hasn't, and its output is really hot as it is?so in front of louder sound sources, it will basically give you line level signal which is not something all microphone preamps are comfortable with. So it's useless for drums.