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Neumann TLM 170 R Multipattern Condenser Microphone Bundle — main product image
Neumann TLM 170 R Multipattern Condenser Microphone Bundle
Neumann TLM 170 R Multipattern Condenser Microphone Bundle
Neumann TLM 170 R Multipattern Condenser Microphone Bundle
Neumann TLM 170 R Multipattern Condenser Microphone Bundle
Neumann TLM 170 R Multipattern Condenser Microphone Bundle
Neumann TLM 170 R Multipattern Condenser Microphone Bundle
Neumann

Neumann TLM 170 R Multipattern Condenser Microphone Bundle

Condenser48Vphantom power

The Neumann TLM 170 R's five switchable polar patterns and transformerless circuit deliver the low noise floor and sonic neutrality that professional tracking sessions demand.

$3,500.00*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 14, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Neumann TLM 170 R is a large-diaphragm condenser microphone designed around a transformerless circuit topology — the circuit path between the capsule and the XLR output contains no output transformer, which has direct implications for how the microphone sounds and performs under demanding conditions. The absence of a transformer eliminates the saturation, coloration, and low-frequency roll-off associated with transformer-coupled designs, yielding a signal that is genuinely neutral from the capsule forward. Pair that circuit with five switchable polar patterns — omnidirectional, cardioid, wide-angle cardioid, hypercardioid, and figure-8 — and you have a microphone that can cover solo vocal tracking, room miking, M-S stereo recording, and ensemble pickup without moving the stand. Three selectable highpass filter positions manage proximity effect and LF room issues at the source, and three pad settings extend the SPL handling range for loud acoustic sources without compromising the noise floor on quiet ones.

In practice, the TLM 170 R is a tracking room workhorse — the kind of microphone that gets reached for first when the character decision hasn't been made yet, because its neutrality means it doesn't impose a sound. Vocals sit naturally in a mix without excessive sibilance or boxiness; acoustic instruments reproduce with accurate transient response and natural decay. The slight presence boost the product documentation references is subtle — a gentle lift in the upper midrange that helps intelligibility and air without the harshness of cheap condenser curves. The bundle includes AKG K240 Studio headphones and a 20-foot XLR cable, making it a complete signal chain starting point for a new studio build or an upgrade to a single tracking position. The K240 is semi-open and best used for monitoring rather than talent tracking isolation; the XLR cable is functional as a session spare.

Key Features

Flat frequency response delivers true-to-life sound, Requires +48V phantom power

Five polar patterns for recording in any setup you can imagine

Simple navigation switch provides access to all essential settings

Smooth frequency response up to 8kHz ensures accuracy, while a slight presence boost brings out clarity and vocal intelligibility

Three selectable highpass settings and three selectable pad settings let you handle a wide range of recording scenario

Specifications

Microphone Type
Multipattern Condenser
Model
TLM 170 R
Frequency Response
Flat (up to 8kHz with slight presence boost)
Polar Patterns
Five selectable
Phantom Power Requirement
+48V
Highpass Settings
Three selectable
Pad Settings
Three selectable

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Five switchable polar patterns — omni, cardioid, wide-angle cardioid, hypercardioid, and figure-8 — allow a single mic to cover room recording, close-miked tracking, M-S stereo, and ensemble work without repositioning the microphone.
  • Transformerless circuit achieves a low self-noise floor and extended dynamic range, maintaining signal integrity on quiet acoustic sources where transformer noise would surface.
  • Three selectable highpass filter positions and three selectable pad settings on the microphone body allow LF and gain management at the source, reducing reliance on post-processing.
  • The slight presence boost above 8kHz adds air and intelligibility to vocals without reaching the exaggerated "smiley curve" of cheaper large-diaphragm condensers.
  • Flat frequency response through the critical midrange ensures accurate, uncolored capture of instruments and voices — what's in the room is what's in the recording.

👎 Cons

  • Requires a high-quality +48V phantom power source — budget interfaces that supply phantom power at lower-than-spec voltage or current may not drive the TLM 170 R to its rated performance.
  • Transformerless neutrality means the mic does not add warmth or body — engineers who want transformer saturation character in their source sound will need to introduce that elsewhere in the signal chain.
  • The bundle's AKG K240 headphones are semi-open back, meaning they are not suitable for tracking sessions where the talent monitoring through them needs isolation from the live microphone.
  • At this price tier, the bundle accessories (XLR cable, headphones) are functional but entry-level relative to the microphone itself — a working studio will likely have better monitoring and cable infrastructure already.
  • Five-pattern switching and multiple filter settings on the body increase setup complexity; engineers unfamiliar with the control layout may inadvertently leave the mic in a non-optimal pattern or filter position.

Frequently Asked Questions

Transformerless condenser designs like the TLM 170 R achieve self-noise figures in the low-to-mid single digits (A-weighted), comfortably below the threshold where noise becomes audible on close-miked sources. This matters most when recording quiet acoustic instruments, solo voice with natural dynamics, or any source where you're pushing gain — the noise floor stays out of the way where transformer-based designs can introduce a slight coloration or hiss floor.
Yes — the TLM 170 R requires +48V phantom power, which is standard on all current professional audio interfaces and mixing consoles. It will not operate without phantom power applied; confirm your interface or console can supply +48V before connecting.
The three highpass settings let you roll off proximity effect buildup on close-miked vocals or instruments, cut HVAC rumble and room LF energy in acoustic sessions, and compensate for low-end reinforcement that occurs when using omni or figure-8 patterns. Having multiple highpass options on the mic body means you can address LF issues at the source without committing to post-processing.
Cardioid is the default for solo tracking in treated rooms. Hypercardioid tightens rejection at the sides, useful when you need more isolation in a live room or want less room sound on overhead work. Omni opens up the room and eliminates proximity effect entirely — valuable for room recording, choral work, or natural ambience capture. Figure-8 captures front and back while rejecting sides, enabling classic mid-side stereo configurations and ribbon-alternative placements. Wide-angle cardioid broadens the pickup without going fully omnidirectional, useful for acoustic ensembles or two-player sessions with a single mic.
The transformerless output provides a low-impedance balanced signal that drives long cable runs cleanly without transformer-related low-frequency roll-off or high-frequency saturation. The trade-off is that you lose the saturation and low-end weight some engineers associate with transformer-coupled microphones — the TLM 170 R is intentionally neutral, so the character of your preamp and room is what you hear in the signal.

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