Thats a really good mic. Its better than most in its price range. It has that Neumann polish to the sound. As with ALL Neumann mics, it is an investment that you will keep for a long time. Its also an outstanding mic for acoustic instruments. Whether it will work for your particular vocal sound will be determined only by using it. If you are in an area where there are rental facilities for recording gear, I recommend renting either this mic you plan on purchasing or even a higher end vocal mic of proven caliber for your project. Buying something unheard that will be such an important factor in the completion of your project is a crap-shoot at best. Even with the Neumann badge, it doesnt guarantee that it will be the right mic for your own individual vocal prowess. Its one of the reasons pro studios have a number of vocal oriented mics......that and the gear-slut factor.

Davedog, post: 371935 wrote: ....that and the gear-slut factor.

I have never heard of this term, but I am intrigued. :P What does that refer to?

In regards to the rest of your post, thanks, I appreciate the feedback. I know it won't turn me into Clay Aiken (although maybe that's a good thing) but like you said, I'm just trying to go for something as good and as well-rounded as I can.

I think I might buy it, because I plan on using this mic immediately after this project for a new one.

Gear-slut factor is also refered to as G.A.S. Gear Acquisition Syndrome. Its a disease. Its uncurable. Be careful. I have it. So does most of the people posting here.

So I understand the TLM-102 which I seek to buy also requires a preamp. I understand [[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.amazon.c…"]this[/]="http://www.amazon.c…"]this[/] Phantom Power packin 48 volts is the one to get.

Is there anything more I need (excluding peripherals like pop foam cover, shockmount, etc)? I guess my big (noob) question at this point is how do I transfer the recorded sound into the computer?

I do not know anything about the piece you linked to. It doesnt appear to be directly music recording related. That doesnt mean it wont work, I think you need some guidance there. You should be looking at an interface and a preamp to do what you're trying to do. All of this will depend on the level of quality you're trying to achieve as well as your budget. Another factor will be what you're recording into. You said 'computer' but that doesnt tell the whole story. You have to have a program thats a recording program effectively turning your computer into a DAW or Digital Audio Workstation. And THEN we get into which one of those to use. This, too, will depend on the project itself, your skills at computer work, plus a lot of other factors necessary to reproduce a performance of a song. And then theres monitoring what you're doing while recording as well as playback for mixing.

Its not simply plug in a mic and go at it.

Consider these things and we'll see how we can help.

Thank you for the feedback.

The Phantom I linked to in a previous post is a preamp.
The condensor Neumann I originally linked to needs that preamp (48 volts)

edit: Posted my proposed mixers & interface below.

Recording Computer: 2011 Macbook Pro
Recording Software: Adobe Soundbooth

Here's one of the Proposed Mixers and Interface: [="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000Q1MX0I/?tag=recording.org-20"]Alesis MultiMix 8 USB 2.0 Mixer[/]="http://www.amazon.c…"]Alesis MultiMix 8 USB 2.0 Mixer[/]

Here's the other: [[url=http://="http://www.amazon.c…"]Alesis MultiMix 6 USB Integrated USB 2.0 Audio Interface And Mixer[/]="http://www.amazon.c…"]Alesis MultiMix 6 USB Integrated USB 2.0 Audio Interface And Mixer[/]

Thoughts?

The USB one will only record two tracks at once. The USB 2.0 one will record 8. I am not sure what the 'integrated' thing is all about. It seems very misleading.

Again, I think you need to specifically lay out how you expect your workflow to progress and what you expect out of your project.

Davedog, post: 372003 wrote: Again, I think you need to specifically lay out how you expect your workflow to progress and what you expect out of your project.

Ok, here's what I plan for the immediate project:

1. Assemble group of musicians

2. Have mic and accessories all set up (e.g. computer is one, pre-amp turned on, mixer on and adjusted)

3. Press recording button

4. Musician 1 plays his instrument til piece ends. Recording ends.

5. Hit recording button. Musician 2 plays his instrument til piece ends. Recording ends.

6. Et al.

7. Three singers all gather around microphone. Main singer is in middle. All have headphones on so they sync with music. Press record button. Singers sing til piece ends. End recording.

Post Work: Have composer mesh all the recordings together to create one piece.

The End?

Okay. Simple enough. You do NOT need a mixer for this. It is a waste of money. You DO need a micpre and an interface. These can be one and the same unit. You need a recording program. There are lots to choose from. If you are using a Mac then ProTools or Logic is the most common on these. You WILL need a headphone amp of some sort. Three sets of phones will need some sort of distribution that allows for different levels for individual needs.....not everyone hears things the same. The recording program will contain all that you need to mix your songs. It will have abuilt-in mixer and plenty of tools like editing tools, effects, compressors etc to do the job. A lot of two channel interfaces have not only the two mic pres and instrument level inputs, but they also come with a recording program of some sort. Whatever you choose, be sure it is approved for use on the computer you're using. It will make life much easier.

Again, I dont know your budget, but if you're spending that kind of money on a mic then you should seriously research the different interfaces available. A lot of people start on the M-box. The pres are ....meh...but they do work. And you get a current issue of ProTools LE which is a very easy program to learn.

BTW. It looks and sounds easy on paper............

Hey Dave, thanks for the reply. yes, My Composer has an electronic mixer on his computer, and it's a good one too. I'm not sure which one it is, but I know it is more than adequate.

As far as the interface goes...what would an interface independent of a mixer look like?

P.s. I believe I still need a preamp such as [[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.amazon.c…"]The Phantom 48V[/]="http://www.amazon.c…"]The Phantom 48V[/] correct?

The Phantom appears to be a preamp for camcorder mics. Its not what you need. Google computer recording interface. Look at brands such as RME, Lexicon, Focusrite, Mackie, M-Audio......Be sure that anything you purchase is recommended by Apple if thats the computer you'll be using. There will be a list of manufacturer approved computers for any software and hardware you want for your project. Pay strict attention to this detail. It will make things easier if the computer isnt crashing while you're working.

Or spend your money on a real studio.

Also....theres a LOT of information on the other forums here. Go to recording computers and look for posts and answers to others questions. Also DAW Pro Audio... You may find all you need to know right here.

Again, its not going to be as easy as you think to make this a high quality project. Experience is mostly everything when it comes to that part.

Davedog, post: 372018 wrote: The Phantom appears to be a preamp for camcorder mics. Its not what you need. Google computer recording interface. Look at brands such as RME, Lexicon, Focusrite, Mackie, M-Audio......Be sure that anything you purchase is recommended by Apple if thats the computer you'll be using. There will be a list of manufacturer approved computers for any software and hardware you want for your project. Pay strict attention to this detail. It will make things easier if the computer isnt crashing while you're working.

Or spend your money on a real studio.

Also....theres a LOT of information on the other forums here. Go to recording computers and look for posts and answers to others questions. Also DAW Pro Audio... You may find all you need to know right here.

Again, its not going to be as easy as you think to make this a high quality project. Experience is mostly everything when it comes to that part.

Yes, I have definitely been finding that out. I am working with more experienced people, I'm just providing the parts and making it happen.

I've been reading up on preamps and the Sound World is pretty fascinating, and foreign at the same time.

From what I've been reading up on, the [="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00175TYD6/?tag=recording.org-20"]M-Audio Fast Track Ultra USB/MID[/]="http://www.amazon.c…"]M-Audio Fast Track Ultra USB/MID[/] seems pretty reasonable--again, I'm not going for uber quality just yet. I realize you can spend thousands of dollars.
I just want something that works that we can tinker with.
I know this option is less desirable, but it is cheaper, the [[url=http://="http://www.amazon.c…"]Midman M-Audio DMP3 micpre[/]="http://www.amazon.c…"]Midman M-Audio DMP3 micpre[/]

I've been reading that the Midman M-Audio has been a decent combination with the TLM-102.
At this point with my range, decent is all I can really ask for.

p.s. headphone amps are pretty straight forward right? I've been reading good reviews about this [[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.amazon.c…"]Behringer[/]="http://www.amazon.c…"]Behringer[/]

Since you are considering M-Audio, I think your best value is going to be the M-Audio Profire 610. It has everything you need to simply plug into your firewire port on your laptop or whatever computer you are using and it is supported by a large number of software programs especially the Apple based ones....ie: Logic, Garageband, ProTools, etc... It has the preamps and the interface as well as line level inputs and the ability to build a monitoring interface to the headphones amp for several different phone mixes. Its really a decent unit and is the latest in their line at this price point. The DMP3 preamp is decent but it has no interface capability as it is only a preamp. The fast trak has an interface but I believe it is only USB. If you can get something that works in firewire your track counts at recording will increase to the number of inputs available allowing you to track several instruments at a time. The USB will only allow 2 tracks at once.

As for the headphone amp.....I do NOT recommend ANY Ber*$#@!&er products.....except this one. Its actually quite okay. I have one in my drum room as a remote phone distribution amp. It has a decent gain and can be patched a number of ways to configure as you need. My main headphone distro amp is an OZ Audio which is much cleaner and louder than the Be#2%$!ger and much more expensive.

Davedog, post: 372040 wrote: Since you are considering M-Audio, I think your best value is going to be the M-Audio Profire 610. It has everything you need to simply plug into your firewire port on your laptop or whatever computer you are using and it is supported by a large number of software programs especially the Apple based ones....ie: Logic, Garageband, ProTools, etc... It has the preamps and the interface as well as line level inputs and the ability to build a monitoring interface to the headphones amp for several different phone mixes. Its really a decent unit and is the latest in their line at this price point. The DMP3 preamp is decent but it has no interface capability as it is only a preamp. The fast trak has an interface but I believe it is only USB. If you can get something that works in firewire your track counts at recording will increase to the number of inputs available allowing you to track several instruments at a time. The USB will only allow 2 tracks at once.

As for the headphone amp.....I do NOT recommend ANY Ber*$#@!&er products.....except this one. Its actually quite okay. I have one in my drum room as a remote phone distribution amp. It has a decent gain and can be patched a number of ways to configure as you need. My main headphone distro amp is an OZ Audio which is much cleaner and louder than the Be#2%$!ger and much more expensive.

Dave,
I can't thank you enough for putting up with my (I'm sure) banal questions.

I'm just confused about the power situation for the TLM-102. If I don't need the Phantom preAmp, how is the TLM powered? Batteries?

Most mic preamps have a phantom power feature. The M-Audio most certainly does. Condenser mics need phantom power. Dynamic mics dont 'need' it and arent effected by its presence. Ribbon mics, however, suffer a poor death when hooked to a 48v source. The TLM-102 is a condenser mic.

Davedog, post: 372060 wrote: Most mic preamps have a phantom power feature. The M-Audio most certainly does. Condenser mics need phantom power. Dynamic mics dont 'need' it and arent effected by its presence. Ribbon mics, however, suffer a poor death when hooked to a 48v source. The TLM-102 is a condenser mic.

Awesome. So all I'll need to do is plug that the XLR cable from the condensor into the M-Audio and I will be good to go in that department.

You might have to push the 'phantom power' button...........

Just out of curiousity, I know it's apparent I know next to nothing about sound equipment, but would it be possible to use a guitar AMP in place of the headphone amps?

Possible? Yes....Is that what you want or need? NO. A headphone amp has different channels of distribution of the signal and since you mentioned having three singers around the mic all with phones, you are going to need something that allows for a variance in levels to each set of phones. Like i said, not everyone hears things the same.

I am having a little problem with cables and cable options.

I am using a Macbook pro to connect with my Profire 610 interface and while it is certain that the two machines are compatible, the cables are not.

Neither of which fits into my Macbook pro's slot array. I know they're compatible, so why are none of the cables matching?

Also, on the M-Audio Interface, you'll notice to the bottom Left, a little -C+ symbol.

Is that regarding the 12V Adaptor or is that relevant to the Firewire cables? And must I have two plugged in to the interface and then consequently two in the Mac?

The little circle with the three legs symbol is the firewire symbol.

Your computer has a firewire 800 slot. It is a nine pin. The Profire has two firewire 400 slots. They are six pin. You need a cable that is firewire 400 to firewire 800. It will only operate in firewire 400 for your purpose. Which is plenty.

You have two firewire slots on the Profire for two devices should you decide to hook something else up to it.

All of the Ins/outs on the Profire also give you the ability to patch external analog devices into the system.

The two cables you have appear to be firewire 400 six pin and a six to 4 pin.

That is the 12 volt wall adapter input on the Profire. If it did not come with an external power supply you need to get one or find out why there isnt one and get one. The symbol is indication the phase of the power on this particular 12 volt system. It is very important to use an adapter with the same phase arrangement.

You only need one firewire cable between the computer and the Profire. The information travels both ways on this protocol.

Hey Dave, thanks for the quick response. Regarding the cables they provided: They fit into the "firewire" port of the interface, but they do not fit in the Mac.

I'm assuming I have to buy a 400 to 800 firewire cable.

And yes, a power adaptor came provided, however, the instruction manual says not to use the power supply when connected in the Mac, because apparently (quoting) "Macintosh Firewire ports provide sufficient power to operate Profire 610."

However, If I intend to use the 48V Phantom preamp feature (which came with the Profire) should I plug in the adaptor?

Read the manual thoroughly. Yes, those are firewire cables but you do need the 9 pin to 6 pin type. All firewire is backwards compatible. It will work at the lowest rate of operation available. ie: firewire 400 to firewire 800 still is firewire 400. The manual will address the phantom power issue.

actually, the manual doesn't really address the Phantom issue. On the subsequent page the manual reiterates: "DO NOT use the included M-Audio power supply if you connect to a 6-pin FireWire port on your computer. 6-pin to 6-pin FireWire connections generally provide the power needed to operate ProFire 610.

Then this is what you should believe.

Davedog, post: 372013 wrote: Okay. Simple enough. You do NOT need a mixer for this. It is a waste of money. You DO need a micpre and an interface. These can be one and the same unit. You need a recording program. There are lots to choose from. If you are using a Mac then ProTools or Logic is the most common on these.

Out of curiosity, what is your opinion of Adobe Soundbooth? I believe all Adobe products are very high quality, but it seems Pro-Tools or Logic get more favor. Any particular reason?

ProTools and Logic have been around longer. I dont know anything about the Adobe programs. Post your question in the DAW recording section and see if someone can help.

Soundbooth is what Adobe used to market to video folks with Premiere. Adobe Audition is far superior to Soundbooths limited capabilities and is every bit equal to PT LE....and IMHO PT HD.

Does Audition have any lossless audio formats that I can save so I can give the audio files to a friend who will be editing them in Pro Tools?

Yes. All of them.

Every DAW that is worth the name will save files in either BWAV or AIFF format and most good DAW's will handle FLAC as well. Other options include 64 bit wav and of course all the usual compressed crap formats. Soundbooth however is just not a full DAW program and was never designed/intended to be so. It is now replaced by Audition CS5.5 in the current version of Premiere et alia.

So to update this thread:
I used the Neumann TLM-102 and the Profire 610. Although the 610 only seems to have one adjustment option (its gain) the pre Amp worked really well with the Neumann and the sounds we recorded came out very satisfactorily.

Because of the confusion with Audition (almost no experience with it and continuing complications as well as the multitrack not playing the .aif files we dragged into it) we decided that we would record in garage band, save the files as .aif and then have my composer work with them in Pro Tools 8.

I have to say, I am very pleased with how recording out. It obviously did not go smoothly, but it still turned out well, a lesson in determination and dedication. The product is still going through editing and post, but I am excited about how it turns out.

As a side note, I have in fact acquired G.A.S. and am considering purchasing a new micPre in the future, as well as some more Neumanns. -_-

Although I am very happy with the TLM-102. It is a beast of a mic. And beautiful

Dux Bellorum, post: 372613 wrote: So to update this thread:
I used the Neumann TLM-102 and the Profire 610. Although the 610 only seems to have one adjustment option (its gain) the pre Amp worked really well with the Neumann and the sounds we recorded came out very satisfactorily.

Because of the confusion with Audition (almost no experience with it and continuing complications as well as the multitrack not playing the .aif files we dragged into it) we decided that we would record in garage band, save the files as .aif and then have my composer work with them in Pro Tools 8.

I have to say, I am very pleased with how recording out. It obviously did not go smoothly, but it still turned out well, a lesson in determination and dedication. The product is still going through editing and post, but I am excited about how it turns out.

As a side note, I have in fact acquired G.A.S. and am considering purchasing a new micPre in the future, as well as some more Neumanns. -_-

Although I am very happy with the TLM-102. It is a beast of a mic. And beautiful

You cant say you werent warned! And , yes, that is one of the better offerings Neumann has put out in a couple of years. If I was to NEED a couple of mics like that I'd have no qualms at all buying a pair of TLM102's. But I already have a bunch of mics........

Of course there is Christmas coming up...........in July.......