Shure SM7 vs SM7B vs Neumann TLM 103

[Urgul]

Hi,

I'm going to upgrade mic for vocals recording (I'm using AT3035 at the moment) I have the opportunity to buy used SM7, new SM7B or used Neumann TLM 103 (I know it's more expensive than SM7B but... it's a legend, heh ;P ). Could you advice me which one to choose, please? I'm going to record screaming vocals mainly
And is there any difference between SM7 and SM7B? I've heard that these are exact same mics. Is it true?

Cheers,
Michal

 

[greyskull]

sm7,
the tlm aint that good

 

[Urgul]

Thanks for your input
And is there any difference between SM7A and SM7B?
I saw that Wieslawscy bros at Hertz studio are using TLM 103 for vocals (see latest Vader's studio report) and in their opinion that's the best mic for vocals.

Anyone else?

 

[Ashgarth]

Saw the difference at shure website

SM7A - improved humbucking coil added; improved design of the mic mounting yoke.
SM7B - larger windscreen added.

 

[Ermz]

The TLM is generally seen as a poor mic, though I used one for the main vocals on the In Malice's Wake album, so you can make up your own mind off that (clip on the myspace).

The SM7B is probably the right choice if you're mainly doing aggressive vox.

 

[Metaltastic]

Interesting that a Neumann would be considered sub-par; is the TLM193 not too highly regarded either? It sure looks good on paper!

 

[John_C]

I've gotta say i like the TLM103

It gives a pretty flat and clear impression of exactly what you're listening to, it doesn't do anything much for you except give you exactly what you'd hear.

The general consensus for vocals is an sm7 though

 

[Machinated]

apparently the 193 is much better than 103 - i have only used a 103 a long time ago and cant really remember it too well.

out of the lot id go for sm7, although i dont think you'd be TOO disappointed with any of those

 

[rvs0002]

I got the SM-7b awhile back, and I immediately knew it was perfect. Needs little eq, can use it on several different sources besides vox if needed, and is built like a tank. You won't be disappointed.

 

[Sinister Mephisto]

Interesting that a Neumann would be considered sub-par; is the TLM193 not too highly regarded either? It sure looks good on paper!

There are good and bad Neumanns, and in my opinion the only thing consistent about them is that they're overpriced.

That said, I've never tried a 103. 170s are great though! More expensive obviously. SM7 or SM7b is probably the right choice for heavy vocals. The originals are supposedly made a little bit better. My friends SM7 is heavier than my SM7b, however I can't hear much of a difference in sound. Either will be great. The 3035 isn't a bad mic. Don't write it off when you get a new one, I think it will compliment the SM7.

 

[mintcheerios]

The SM7(B) has been used on softer rock vocals too like Sheryl Crow and Red Hot Chili Peppers so it's pretty versatile.

 

[MegaMustaine]

Out of curiosity, what kind of pre's are people using with said mics? I have an Sm7b and no preamp currently, and am unsure of what to buy. Sorry to thread hi jack.

 

[Ben Johnson]

Out of curiosity, what kind of pre's are people using with said mics?

One with a lot of gain.

 

[KeithTidd]

people talk alot of shit about the tlm103, but it's actually a pretty good mic. that said, I'd pick an sm7 over it for vox. The sm7 is just that good.

 

[fade_2_black]

The only one time ive experienced using a 103 it sounded thin and almost brittle. I wasnt engineering and was just at the studio to help out with a track, and for all I know there could have been EQ pre-daw, but yeah, wasnt too impressed.

 

[MegaMustaine]

One with a lot of gain.

Ha, any specific recommendations? Sorry to thread hijack, but I'm just looking for something that will record well with the SM7.

 

[greyskull]

an api 3124,
chandler tg2,
shadow hills GAMA,
great river...
the list goes on.....

 

[Metaltastic]

Hahaha, well I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess his budget isn't quite that high greyskull, so the Studio Projects VTB-1 would be my suggestion, seems like a good unit with lots of gain!

 

[Urgul]

Thanks for all your input, guys! You ROCK
I bought SM7B, will get it next week

 

[paladin shredder]

yeah, i have an sm7 i use on all the vocals i record. works great for powerful vocals, but not very well on soft vocals.

tonally it can work for some softer vocals, but this mic is known for needing a bit more gain on the mic preamp. if you have some cheap mic preamps you can get some bad noise in the background trying to gain up the soft singer. as long as the singer is loud and proud, it's a fantastic mic.

edit: by the way, I was actually able to do an a/b comparison between the TLM 103 and the U87 a few years ago on a vintage neve console. The main difference we heard was the U87 seemed to really hype up the presence and the low end on vocals about 5dbs or so difference.