TONSTUDIOLEIPZIGA studio by Fabian Günther
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Hire of Neumann studio microphones at Tonstudio Leipzig for serious recordings away from the studio.

Hire a Neumann.
Equipment hire in Leipzig.

You have a recording planned away from the studio: a concert, a podcast series, an audiobook or a live recording. At Tonstudio Leipzig you hire high quality Neumann microphones for your specific outside recording, with clear terms, a deposit, handover in person and a briefing.

Equipment-Verleih at Tonstudio Leipzig — Neumann U 87 Ai, M147 Tube, KM 184 and KMS 104 professional-microphonit for externe recordings
The Neumann standard
4 professional microphones from active studio practice
A personal briefing
30 to 60 minutes at handover
Clear terms
insurance, a deposit, a written record
Studio tested
in active use, not gathering dust in storage

Four high quality Neumann microphones, from active studio use for your recording away from the studio.

The microphones in this hire service are not stock waiting in a warehouse. They are studio microphones in active use at Tonstudio Leipzig, used daily for vocal recordings, audiobook productions, acoustic instruments and audio engineering work. That has two advantages for you. First, you get instruments in flawless, regularly maintained condition, because they are treated professionally. Second, at the briefing you get practical knowledge straight from daily studio practice, not a theoretical hire briefing but specific tips from real use.

Four microphone models are available. The Neumann U 87 Ai stereo set with two microphones as the studio classic, the universal studio standard for speech, vocals and main microphone use, with a switchable polar pattern. The Neumann M 147 Tube as a large diaphragm valve microphone with a classic character for vocals, speech, voice over, film dubbing and solo instruments. The Neumann KM 184 stereo set with two small diaphragm condensers for precise and detailed recordings of acoustic guitar, piano, hall recordings and nature recordings. The Neumann KMS 104 plus BK as a condenser vocal microphone for the stage with a pop shield, high sound pressure handling and good resistance to feedback. Plus matching microphone stands and mounts in each case.

Three hire periods depending on what you need: A day hire for short jobs, a weekend hire from Friday to Monday as the most popular option, a weekly or project hire when you need it for longer. You get specific prices transparently when you ask, and they depend on the microphone, the period and the use. For your enquiry please send specific details: the microphone you want, the period, the area of use, your own recording equipment and your insurance details. For short questions beforehand, a WhatsApp message or a brief email works too.

Make a hire enquiry Initial consultation in the shop
Areas of use

Six typical areas of use, where professional studio microphones make the difference.

Hire is worth it above all for projects with a clear demand for studio quality outside your own setup. Here are six typical areas of use with microphone recommendations from studio practice.

A live concert recording

A hall recording with studio quality

At your own indie concerts in Leipzig venues, smaller hall concerts or acoustic sessions you can make a recording with professional microphones that sounds considerably better than any phone audio. The recommendation: the KM 184 stereo set as an ORTF or XY setup for the hall recording, combined with the KMS 104 plus BK for the direct vocal recording on stage. The requirement: your own audio interface or field recorder with phantom power and a prepared cable setup.

Field recording

Recordings outside with studio detail

With nature recordings, atmosphere recordings for film projects, interview series at different locations or sound design recordings, you benefit considerably from high quality microphones with precise detail. The recommendation: the KM 184 stereo set for stereo atmosphere recordings with fine detail, the U 87 Ai or the M 147 Tube for speech recordings at quiet, controlled indoor locations. Matching stands and mounts are included in the hire.

Podcast & audiobook

Speech with a genuine studio feel

With longer podcast productions, audiobook recordings or serial voice sessions outside the studio, professional microphones make the audible difference between a hobby sound and a genuine studio feel. The recommendation: the U 87 Ai as a universal speech microphone with a switchable pattern, the M 147 Tube for present, characterful voices in audiobooks, voice over and quiet speech recordings. For setups with several speakers, two U 87 Ai can be used in parallel.

An album recording elsewhere

Recordings at particular locations

If you deliberately want to record your album piece at a particular location, an old church, a historic hall, a family home, an acoustically unusual room, you need studio equipment that really captures the atmosphere of the place. The recommendation: the KM 184 stereo set for the room recording, the U 87 Ai or the M 147 Tube for the direct main microphone position on the voice or the main instrument. A combined setup with several microphones is possible on request.

Film and video production

Location sound and voice over for indie films

With indie film productions, independent video projects or documentary recordings that call for studio quality, professional microphones are essential for clean location sound or a serious voice over. The recommendation: the U 87 Ai as the standard for voice over recordings with a switchable pattern, the M 147 Tube for controlled voice over recordings and narration. For current film productions with a commercial marketing angle, please use the separate B2B page.

Extending a setup

Extending a home studio with a professional microphone for one job

You already have a recording setup of your own with a decent audio interface, monitors and standard microphones, but for one specific project you need a professional microphone that is not worth buying outright. The recommendation: a specific microphone choice depending on the project. The U 87 Ai or the M 147 Tube for voice, speech and solo instruments, the KM 184 for acoustic instruments and stereo recordings, the KMS 104 plus BK for live vocals and close miking on stage. Explain your project when you ask, and you get a specific recommendation.

Packages

Three hire periods from a day hire to a longer project hire.

Three standard packages depending on the hire period. The specific prices depend on the microphone model and the use and are given transparently when you ask.

A day hire

A one day job with a clear return

The classic option for 1 to 2 days. Sensible for a single concert recording, a specific voice over appointment, a short recording outside. Handover the day before the job, return the day after by arrangement. A day hire calls for particularly tight discipline with the dates, because the hire period is short and any delay would affect the next hire. For more than 2 days the weekend package makes sense.

A weekend hire

Friday to Monday as the most popular option

By far the most popular package. Collection on Friday afternoon, return on Monday morning, perfect for weekend projects, live concert recordings on Saturday, studio sessions outside your own rooms, block podcast recordings at the weekend. Three full days of use with only one journey to the studio. With recurring weekend hires over several weeks, individual terms can be negotiated.

A weekly or project hire

Longer projects from a week upwards

For larger projects that need recording over several days: album recordings at outside locations, longer podcast productions, film scoring sessions, audiobook production. At least one full week, with individual terms from a weekly hire upwards. Over several weeks of hire, an interim check of the equipment can make sense. For long term projects, ask particularly early, several weeks ahead.

Several microphones combined

You do not need just a single microphone but a multi microphone setup, say two U 87 Ai in parallel for a podcast with several speakers plus the KM 184 stereo set for atmosphere recordings. Multi microphone setups are possible but add to the deposit and the hire cost accordingly. Simply describe your complete need when you ask, and you get a fitting overall offer.

An extended briefing

The standard is 30 to 60 minutes of briefing at handover. With more complex setup requirements, say an ORTF stereo construction for a hall recording with two KM 184, or a multi microphone setup for a band recording on location, an extended briefing with detailed setup advice makes sense. It is arranged in advance and the time is planned into the handover accordingly.

Advice on use beforehand

If you are still unsure which microphone suits your specific project best, or which setup would make sense for your recording situation, advice on use booked beforehand in the form of an initial consultation makes sense. It is booked through the studio shop: you describe your project, I recommend the right microphone plus setup notes, and you can then make a specific enquiry.

Make a hire enquiry
What makes my studio different

Three factors that set this hire service apart from online equipment rental firms.

Online equipment rental firms have thousands of items in stock but little expertise about using them. Three factors make the difference here.

Studio equipment in active use instead of stock from a warehouse

The Neumann microphones here are not mass stock from a rental warehouse. They are used daily at the studio in Leipzig for real studio recordings, are serviced regularly and are in flawless condition. That is a clear difference from classic rental stock, where equipment often sits for months and suffers from changing treatment. You get a microphone that was on an album just now, not one that has been in a cupboard for weeks.

A personal briefing with a handover record

With online rental firms you get the microphones by post with a standard leaflet. Here there is a personal briefing of 30 to 60 minutes with specific tips from studio practice, a condition check together with the instrument in your hands, and a written handover record with the condition documented. That protects you from mistakes in use and creates documented clarity for both sides about what will be checked on return.

Clear legal terms instead of small print

The insurance requirement, the level of the deposit, what happens with damage, the return conditions, all of it is communicated transparently in advance, before you take the microphone. No surprises, no small print after the damage. That is safer for you as a customer, because you know exactly what you are getting into, and safer for the hire service, because with damage there are clear rules instead of drawn out negotiation.

These three factors, studio equipment in active use, a personal briefing with a record and clear legal terms, make the difference between anonymous online rental and professional studio equipment hire.

Why hire

Six reasons why hiring is often more worthwhile than buying.

Neumann professional microphones sit in a price class that is hardly worth it for a one off or rare job outside. Six reasons why targeted hire is the more sensible solution both economically and practically.

01 The economics

No investment for a one off project

Neumann professional microphones sit in the upper four figure range per model. For one specific weekend project or a one off album recording outside, that investment is rarely justified. Hire costs a fraction and still brings the studio microphone into your specific recording situation. The capital you save stays free for other things.

02 A test before buying

Before you invest in a Neumann yourself

You are thinking about buying a Neumann microphone of your own but are unsure whether the U 87 Ai or the M 147 Tube suits your voice or your setup better. Hiring for a specific project is also a real practical test under real conditions: you experience how the microphone behaves in use before you invest several thousand euros permanently.

03 Recording outside

Studio quality at an outside location

If your project has to happen outside your own setup, a live concert, an outside location, a podcast at the home of the person you are talking to, you can bring studio equipment to the recording instead of working only with your standard home setup. Studio quality travels with you to the location.

04 No maintenance

You save storage, maintenance and insurance

Owning professional microphones also means taking responsibility for storage (climate controlled), maintenance (regular function checks) and insurance (high value equipment cover). With hire I take on those duties, you use the microphone only for your actual recording time and hand the responsibility back afterwards.

05 Advice included

Practical knowledge from studio practice

When you buy, you get a microphone with a manual. With this hire service you get a briefing of 30 to 60 minutes with specific tips from daily studio practice: how to position the microphone properly, which mistakes are typical, how it sounds best for your specific use. That is practical knowledge that a purchase alone does not give you.

06 Flexibility

Different microphones for different projects

Instead of investing in a single microphone, you can choose the right model for every project: the U 87 Ai for a podcast project, the M 147 Tube for an audiobook, the KM 184 stereo for an acoustic album. That flexibility is hard to reach with your own equipment, because several professional microphones are an unrealistic private investment.

Preparation

Six points that should be settled before your hire enquiry.

A good enquiry saves time and leads to a specific offer faster. Six points to settle beforehand.

1
The choice of microphone

Which model suits your use?

Think it through before you ask: which microphone suits my specific project? If you are unsure, advice on use beforehand in an initial consultation can help you choose the right model. Otherwise, roughly: the U 87 Ai as a versatile studio microphone, the M 147 Tube for voices, speech and solo instruments, the KM 184 for acoustic instruments, stereo recordings and room sound, the KMS 104 plus BK for live vocals and close miking on stage.

2
The period

The exact start and end date

Set the hire period specifically, including the collection day and the return day. At least 1 to 2 weeks of lead time before the collection date. With weekend hires, Friday afternoon is the usual collection time and Monday morning the usual return time. If you want different times, mention that in your enquiry.

3
Insurance

Have your liability cover checked

Ask your own private liability insurer specifically whether borrowed high value items are covered and up to what sum. Bring the policy number and written confirmation from the insurer to the handover. If the cover is not sufficient, take out temporary additional equipment cover.

4
The deposit

Plan for the level of the deposit

The deposit is stated transparently in advance when you ask and depends on the value of the microphone. It is handed over either in cash on collection or by advance transfer with confirmation. With several microphones at once the deposit adds up accordingly. The deposit is returned after the function check on return.

5
Your own equipment

Prepare your audio interface and cabling

For the U 87 Ai, the KM 184 and the KMS 104 plus BK you need an audio interface, mixing desk or field recorder with clean 48 volt phantom power. With the M 147 Tube the N 149 A power supply is part of the setup. Your own XLR cables in a suitable length and quality too. Describe your equipment briefly when you ask, and I check compatibility in advance.

6
The briefing appointment

Plan time for the personal briefing

30 to 60 minutes of briefing are part of the handover appointment and are not optional. Plan the appointment accordingly, not in a rush between other commitments. With a more complex setup (several microphones, a stereo construction) plan more time and mention it in your enquiry in advance.

How a session runs

How your equipment hire works actually goes.

So that you know what to expect, four structured steps from the enquiry to the return.

01

An enquiry with specific details

You send an email or WhatsApp message with the following details: the microphone you want (or that you need advice), the period, the use and the recording situation, your own audio equipment, your insurance details, your level of experience. With larger setups or enquiries for several microphones, the best route is the initial consultation in the studio shop, because there is enough room there for advice.

02

Confirmation with the terms

I check availability, whether your insurance is suitable and whether the setup is compatible, and come back to you with a specific offer: the hire price, the level of the deposit, the handover and return dates, the length of the briefing. You confirm the terms and the specific handover appointment is arranged. For urgent enquiries with less than a week of lead time: that is only possible in rare exceptions.

03

Handover in person with a briefing & a record

At the handover appointment at the studio: showing the insurance confirmation, leaving the deposit, checking the microphone together, a briefing of 30 to 60 minutes with tips on use, signing the handover record with the condition documented. Only then does the microphone leave with you. With a multi microphone setup, more time is planned accordingly.

04

The return with a function check

On the agreed return date, a function check together with the microphone in your hands, a comparison with the condition at handover according to the record, a check of all the accessories. If everything is in order, the deposit is returned immediately. If damage is found, we agree how to proceed in line with the insurance settlement. With hires over several weeks, an interim function check is possible.

The place & the terms

Handover at the studio in Zentrum-Süd, clear terms create trust on both sides.

All hire arrangements run exclusively through Tonstudio Leipzig in Zentrum-Süd. Here is an overview of the most important terms on site.

Handover in person

Collection at the studio in Zentrum-Süd only

Shipping is not possible. Handover in person with a briefing and a record is a mandatory part of the hire. If you are coming from Halle, Markkleeberg, Dresden or other cities, that journey has to be planned in. With hires over several days or weeks, the effort of the journey matters less.

The insurance requirement

Private liability cover has to cover high value items

Without proof of insurance there is no handover, which protects both sides. The policy number and written confirmation from the insurer about cover for damage to other people's property up to the corresponding current value. If the cover is not sufficient, take out temporary additional equipment cover beforehand.

The deposit

A high deposit reflecting the current value of the microphone

The deposit is based on the new price and the current value of the microphone in question and is in the four figure range per instrument. With several microphones the deposit adds up. It is handed over in cash on collection or in advance by transfer. It is returned immediately after a satisfactory function check on return.

Lead time

At least 1 to 2 weeks of lead time, ideally longer

Spontaneous enquiries can only be met in rare exceptions and only with professional customers I have known for years. For a classic weekend hire, at least 1 to 2 weeks of lead time, for longer projects or multi microphone setups ideally 3 to 4 weeks. For particular microphone requests during heavily booked studio periods, longer accordingly.

The briefing

A 30 to 60 minute handover briefing on site

The briefing is a mandatory part of the hire, not an optional extra. Operating the specific microphone, handling it properly, notes on connecting it, typical tips for your use. With a more complex setup, more time accordingly. You do not leave with the microphone before we have gone through operating it together.

Studio address

Bernhard-Göring-Straße 17 in Zentrum-Süd

The studio is at Bernhard-Göring-Straße 17 in 04107 Leipzig, right in Zentrum-Süd, within walking distance of the Karli and the city centre. Parking in the courtyard, low barrier access on the ground floor. Easy to reach by tram or S-Bahn from anywhere in the city. The handover appointment by arrangement.

Frequent questions

Questions about equipment hire at Tonstudio Leipzig.

Here you find the most important answers before you make your hire enquiry. For short questions you can reach me by email or WhatsApp message. For detailed advice with a fixed appointment there is the initial consultation in the studio shop.

Four high quality Neumann microphones:

Neumann U 87 Ai stereo set (2x), the studio classic for speech, vocals and main microphone use.

Neumann M 147 Tube, a large diaphragm valve microphone with a classic character for vocals, speech, voice over, film dubbing and solo instruments.

Neumann KM 184 stereo set (2x), a small diaphragm condenser for acoustic guitar, piano, strings, wind, ensembles and stereo recordings.

Neumann KMS 104 plus BK, a condenser vocal microphone for the stage with a pop shield and good resistance to feedback.

Plus matching microphone stands and mounts.

The hire cost depends on the microphone, the period and the use .

Three packages: A day hire for 1 to 2 days, a weekend hire (Friday to Monday) as the most popular option, a weekly or project hire from a week upwards.

I deliberately avoid a price list here. When you ask, you get a specific offer transparently.

For longer project periods or several microphones, individual terms can be negotiated.

The deposit is set deliberately high and is based on the current value of the microphone.

With these professional instruments it is in the four figure range per microphone.

The Neumann U 87 Ai, M 147 Tube and KM 184 stereo sets sit in the upper professional segment, so the deposit has to cover a realistic share of the current value.

With several microphones the deposit adds up.

It is returned immediately after a satisfactory function check.

Private liability insurance is mandatory.

It has to cover borrowed items up to the corresponding current value . Many standard private policies do, but check specifically with your insurer beforehand.

Where it helps, special equipment policies for high value items.

Show proof of insurance at the handover.

Without that proof no handover is possible.

With damage or loss, your insuranceapplies first.

Compensation at the current value, with Neumann professional instruments typically in the four figure range.

With a complete loss, replacement with an equivalent new instrument.

The deposit left with me serves as securityin case the insurer does not settle promptly.

The procedure is documented in the handover record .

At least 1 to 2 weeks for weekend hires.

Ideally three to four weeks with larger projects or several microphones.

Two reasons: first, checking availability, because the microphones are also in active use at the studio. Second, preparing the proof of insurance, the deposit, the briefing appointment and the handover record.

Spontaneous enquiries with less than a week are only possible in rare exceptions can be arranged.

At the handover, a briefing of 30 to 60 minutes on the specific microphone.

The content: correct handling, proper transport, the right order for connecting and powering it, tips on use, common sources of error, microphone positioning.

With the M 147 Tube there are also notes on the warm up time of the valve.

The briefing is mandatory, not an optional extra.

It protects you from mistakes in use and the microphone from improper handling.

An honest answer: no.

These Neumann professional microphones are not meant for first time users, they deserve experienced hands.

Who it is for: advanced hobby sound engineers, semi professional indie artists, independent podcast producers, hobby audio engineers with live recording experience.

If you are just starting out, cheaper entry level models from a music shop or a studio coaching appointment is the better choice.

Yes, you have to bring that yourself.

The U 87 Ai, the KM 184 and the KMS 104 plus BK need 48 volt phantom power. The M 147 Tube works with its own N 149 A power supply. Your interface, mixing desk or field recorder has to suit the microphone in question.

With M 147 Tube the N 149 A power supply is particularly important and is explained at the briefing.

Describe your equipment briefly when you ask, and I check compatibility in advance.

Bring your own XLR cables too.

For specific enquiries, directly by email or the initial consultation in the studio shop.

With your enquiry please send: the microphone you want, the period, the use, your own recording equipment, your level of experience, your insurance details.

For short questions before a specific enquiry, you can also send a a WhatsApp message or a short email.

Contact by phone is possible too.

Urgent enquiries with less than a week only in exceptional cases.

Exclusively collection in person at the studio in Zentrum-Süd.

Three reasons: the personal briefing is mandatory, the handover record has to be signed in person, and the risk in transit with valuable instruments is not acceptable without a handover in person.

If you are coming from further away, plan accordingly.

With longer hire periods the effort of the journey matters less.

This page is written for private individuals, hobby audio engineers and semi professional users.

If you work for a a company, an advertising agency, a film production with a record deal or commercial event technology , there is the separate business site of Tonstudio Leipzig.

There with project specific agreements, higher minimum liability cover and invoicing.

Ready for a specific hire enquiry?

Write to me about your recording outside the studio.

Write to me specifically about what you have in mind: which microphone, which period, which use, which audio equipment you have yourself, what experience you bring, which insurance. With larger setups or advice on choosing a microphone, the paid initial consultation in the studio shop is worth it. For short questions beforehand about availability, a microphone recommendation or possible dates, a WhatsApp message or a brief email works too. If something does not fit this service, such as commercial jobs with invoicing, I say so honestly and point you to the separate B2B page. Please plan for at least 1 to 2 weeks of lead time.

Make a hire enquiry Initial consultation in the shop