Planning a recording away from the studio, such as a concert, a podcast or an audiobook? You can hire high quality Neumann microphones here, with clear terms: a deposit, handover in person and a briefing.
These microphones are not stock from a warehouse. They are in active use at the studio for vocals, audiobooks and more, so they are well maintained. At the briefing you also get real practical knowledge, not just theory.
Four microphones are available. Neumann U 87 Ai stereo set (2 microphones): the studio classic for speech and vocals. Neumann M 147 Tube: valve microphone with a warm sound for vocals, speech and voice over. Neumann KM 184 stereo set (2 microphones): for acoustic guitar, piano and room recordings. Neumann KMS 104 plus BK: stage microphone for live vocals. Plus matching microphone stands and mounts.
The day hire starts from €150. Three periods to choose from: a day hire for short jobs, a weekend hire (Friday to Monday), a weekly hire for longer projects. You get the exact price when you ask. Please send: the microphone you want, the period, the area of use, your own recording equipment and your insurance details. Short questions also work by WhatsApp or email.
Six typical areas of use where hiring is worth it, with matching microphone recommendations.
For concerts and acoustic sessions, a recording with professional microphones sounds considerably better than a phone recording. Recommendation: the KM 184 stereo set for the hall recording, plus the KMS 104 plus BK for the vocal recording on stage. You need your own audio interface with phantom power.
For nature recordings, film atmosphere or interviews at several locations, high quality microphones with fine detail make a real difference. Recommendation: the KM 184 stereo set for atmosphere recordings, the U 87 Ai or the M 147 Tube for speech at quiet locations. Stands and mounts are included.
For longer podcast or audiobook recordings away from the studio, you hear the difference with a professional microphone clearly. Recommendation: the U 87 Ai as a versatile speech microphone, the M 147 Tube for present, characterful voices. With several speakers, two U 87 Ai can be used at once.
Want to record at a particular location, such as an old church? You need equipment that captures the room's atmosphere. Recommendation: the KM 184 stereo set for the room, the U 87 Ai or the M 147 Tube for the voice or main instrument. A combined setup is possible on request.
For indie films or documentaries with a demand for studio quality, a professional microphone matters for clean location sound or voice over. Recommendation: the U 87 Ai as the standard for voice over, the M 147 Tube for narration. For commercial film productions, use the separate B2B page.
Already have a setup and just need a professional microphone for one project? Buying often does not pay off. Recommendation depending on the project: the U 87 Ai or the M 147 Tube for voice, the KM 184 for instruments, the KMS 104 plus BK for live vocals. Describe your project when you ask.
Three packages depending on the hire period. You get the exact price when you ask.
For 1 to 2 days. Good for a single concert recording, a voice over appointment or a short outdoor recording. Handover the day before, return the day after by arrangement. For more than 2 days the weekend package makes more sense.
The most popular package. Collection Friday afternoon, return Monday morning. Perfect for weekend projects like concert recordings or podcast sessions: three full days for just one trip. For repeated weekend hires, individual terms are possible.
For larger projects: album recordings elsewhere, longer podcasts, film scoring or audiobooks. At least one full week, with individual terms. For a hire of several weeks, please ask particularly early.
Need several microphones at once, say two U 87 Ai for a podcast with several speakers? That is possible. The deposit and hire cost add up accordingly. Describe what you need when you ask.
The standard is 30 to 60 minutes of briefing. With a more complex setup, say a stereo construction with two KM 184, a longer briefing makes sense. This is arranged in advance.
Not sure which microphone fits? Book an initial consultation in the studio shop beforehand. You describe your project, I recommend the right microphone.
Online rental firms have plenty of stock, but little advice. Three factors make the difference here.
These microphones are not warehouse stock. They are used daily at the studio for real recordings and serviced regularly. You get a microphone that was on an album just now, not one sitting in a cupboard.
Online rental firms ship the microphone with a leaflet. Here you get a personal briefing of 30 to 60 minutes, a joint condition check and a written handover record. That protects you from mistakes and creates clarity for the return.
Insurance, deposit, what happens with damage and the return conditions are all communicated clearly in advance. No surprises afterwards. That gives both sides certainty.
Buying a Neumann microphone rarely pays off for a single job. Six reasons why hire is often the better choice.
A Neumann microphone often costs several thousand euros. For a single project that is rarely worth it. Hire costs a fraction and still gives you the studio microphone.
Thinking about buying a Neumann microphone yourself? Hiring is a real practical test before you invest several thousand euros.
Does your project happen outside your studio, such as at a concert or interview? Studio quality travels with you to the location.
Owning a microphone means storage, maintenance and insurance. With hire I take care of that, you use it only for your recording time.
Buying only gets you a manual. Hiring gets you a briefing of 30 to 60 minutes with real practical tips.
Instead of investing in one microphone, you choose the right model for each project. With your own equipment, that choice would hardly be affordable.
A good enquiry saves time and leads to a specific offer faster. Six points to settle beforehand.
Think about which microphone suits your project. Rule of thumb: U 87 Ai versatile, M 147 Tube for voices, KM 184 for acoustic instruments, KMS 104 plus BK for live vocals. If unsure, an initial consultation helps.
Set the collection and return days, with at least 1 to 2 weeks of lead time. For weekend hires: collection Friday afternoon, return Monday morning.
Ask your liability insurer whether borrowed high value items are covered. Bring the policy number and written confirmation to the handover.
We tell you the deposit in advance, based on the microphone's value. Payment in cash on collection or by transfer. Returned after the function check.
For the U 87 Ai, KM 184 and KMS 104 plus BK you need 48 volt phantom power. The M 147 Tube needs its N 149 A power supply. Bring your own XLR cables. Describe your equipment when you ask.
Plan 30 to 60 minutes for the briefing, without time pressure. With a more complex setup, plan more time.
So that you know what to expect, four structured steps from the enquiry to the return.
Send an email or WhatsApp message with: the microphone you want, the period, the use, your equipment, your insurance details and experience level. With larger setups, an initial consultation in the studio shop is worth it.
I check availability and insurance and come back with the hire price, deposit and a date. You confirm, then the handover date is set. Urgent enquiries under a week are only rarely possible.
At the studio: show the insurance confirmation, leave the deposit, joint function check, a briefing of 30 to 60 minutes, sign the handover record. Only then does the microphone leave with you.
At the return we check the microphone together and compare it with the record. If everything is fine, you get the deposit back right away. Any damage is handled through the insurance.
All hire arrangements run exclusively through Tonstudio Leipzig in Zentrum-Süd. Here is an overview of the most important terms on site.
Shipping is not possible. Handover in person with a briefing is a fixed part of the hire. Plan the journey from Halle, Markkleeberg or Dresden accordingly.
Without proof of insurance there is no handover. Bring the policy number and written confirmation that other people's property is covered up to its current value.
The deposit is based on the current value and is in the four figure range per instrument. Payment in cash on collection or by transfer, returned right after the check.
Spontaneous enquiries only work in rare exceptions. For weekend hires at least 1 to 2 weeks of lead time, for longer projects ideally 3 to 4 weeks.
The briefing is mandatory, not optional: operation, handling and tips for your use. With a more complex setup, more time accordingly.
The studio is at Bernhard-Göring-Straße 17 in 04107 Leipzig, in Zentrum-Süd, within walking distance of the Karli. Parking in the courtyard, low barrier access. Also easy to reach by tram or S-Bahn.
The most important answers before your enquiry. Short questions welcome by email or WhatsApp.
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 day hire starts from €150. The exact 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, at least 70 percent of 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 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 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.
Write to me about which microphone, which period, which use and which equipment you have. With larger setups, the initial consultation in the studio shop is worth it. Short questions work by WhatsApp or email. Commercial enquiries go to the B2B page. Please plan for at least 1 to 2 weeks of lead time.