Thoughts on BCM104? Just "scored" one....

Since it was designed for close talking, it'll probably have a some kind of pre-EQ to reduce proximity effect, which means that farther sources will be very bass-light.

They were used (possibly still are) on the Grand Ole Opry for bluegrass bands. Del McCoury used one for a long as the center vocal microphone live, and we used to use it in the studio on banjo. Expensive new but I think you’ll find a use for it.

Maybe its just waiting for its Michael Jackson moment...

A few tidbits I learned about the mic today as I listen to various reviews/comments about it.

- its less boomy and less sibilant than the TLM103, as a point of comparison
- also not quite as bright/mid-forward as a U67
- It has an edge terminated capsule (K104)
- the pad and high-pass switches are microswitches contained within the xlr connector

To adjust the switches you have to unscrew it and pull the connector and use a pointy object to move them - obviously, not a workable thing for a recording studio unless you set/forget.

For me, haven't seen/heard anything that makes me think this mic is not going to work. Obviously, how my voice sounds on it is the big thing, but I am thinking it is not going to be worse than anything else I have, the best of which is the WA67. To me, a solid step up, even if unconventional.

Even if you decide to flip it post some samples so we can get an idea of what it’s like please!

Will be glad to. Could be a couple weeks though before I can get something up.

 You may feel differently after you hear my "musical speech" through it 

I now have the mic in hand and its authentic, not a chinese clone. I was a tad suspect because I couldn't see the tell tail grill quick release buttons on the sides, but there weren't any screws in the casing either. This has a screw on grill with a spring loaded bearing that clicks into place once it is properly aligned. I haven't seen this level of engineering in something since I drove a BMW in my younger, less pragmatic years. This thing is simply a work of art.

I have read  that the circuit board in this mic may be the same one as the TLM103 but as mentioned earlier, a different capsule. I haven't been able to confirm this with any Neumann source.

This one is a relatively low serial number, maybe from first or second year of production, not sure (I reached out to Neumann with the serial to see when it was made.)

Looking forward to giving it a spin. I am traveling with it this week but will try to get some acoustic test recordings done. "The room" is going to be unavoidable, but it will give me an idea, until I can get back to something better treated. 

Got to play with it some last night. I wasn't in an environment where I could do critical listening, but did a quick recording of my Yamaha acoustic and used it for a co-writing session. 

It seems to be very much what you hear is what you got. It doesn't have a bristly or over-sibiliant top end (like a TLM103) which if I am describing correctly, makes it sound very smooth, possibly somewhat forgiving, but not overly warm - has very good clarity. However, I don't know that I would describe it as flattering though.  Looking forward to comparing it side-by-side to my WA67 and a Shure KSM32.

Neumann got back to me on this particular one: Built in 2004 and the design difference I noticed (screw on vs quick release grilll) came about in 2006. So this one is almost vintage