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Clear Channel’s Creative Services Group (CSG) Opts For Neumann TLM 103 Microphones

Always an ambitious leader in the communications field,radio giant Clear Channel recently debuted its latest media production innovation with its Creative Services Group (CSG). Established to improve the quality of commercial creative on all 1,189 of its U.S. radio stations, the new Atlanta-based facility has specified the extreme clarity of the Neumann TLM 103 microphone for all of its rooms.

"After extensive side-by-side comparisons, the Neumann TLM 103 stood out by far as the ideal microphone for CSG," says Jim Cook, senior vice president-creative, for Clear Channel. "For the myriad applications we need it for, the TLM 103 provides a rich, wonderful sound that needs virtually no processing."

CSG's twelve Neumann TLM 103 large diaphragm cardioid microphones bringlegendary transformerless circuitry and extremely low noise (7dB-A) to thefacility's four studios, which are flanked by two additional ISO booths thatcan each serve the two studios they are adjacent to. In addition to spoken voice applications, the mics will record singing, guitars and a wide array of musical instruments arranged by CSG's in-house composer, Jason Phelps.

"Creative Services Group is not your run-of-the-mill radio station facility," comments Cook. "In radio wrk, the key is to get it right the first time. You don't want to have to manipulate it much in post production. Ninety-percent of the audio that we're recording on site will be spoken voice, and the Neumann TLM 103 gave us this wonderful presence in terms of delivering speech in a way that was very full.

"When you start out on your signal path and press record you want the fullest sound you can get as radio has a way of compressing and processing itself multiple times before it hits the car speaker. Using the Neumann TLM 103 ensures the truest quality of sound from the beginning. It tells our audience they're hearing truly quality radio. This is especially critical with the coming vanguard of new technologies for terrestrial radio, including the CD quality of HD radio, 5.1 capabilities and more. The amount of content continues to grow for radio and CSG has to be able to deliver on those technology platforms."

Known worldwide for their precision design, the Neumann TLM 103 has the ability to handle sound pressure levels up to 138dB without distortion, a dynamic range of 131dB, and the unmistakable large wire mesh headgrille that ever fails to inspire talent or clients. "CSG has been working with the world's major ad agencies to show them the exciting things going on in our medium," says Cook. "They have access to the best studios in the world, and to bring them into radio they have to see facilities that we believe in technically and creatively. Neumann microphones send the signal loud and clear that this facility is operating on the highest level of quality."

As Clear Channel's Creative Services Group moves forward with raising the standards for radio commercial production, their Neumann TLM 103 microphones will be central to making it a mission accomplished. "We founded the Creative Services Group to improve our medium," says Jim Cook. "That's reflected in our specification of gear like the Neumann TLM 103. We did not compromise when it came to getting the right equipment for our studios. The result is a better environment for our listeners and a more productive one for our advertisers."

Neumann's award winning line of microphones has set the standard in the industry since 1928. In 1999, Neumann received the prestigious Technical Grammy for their 70 years of innovation in microphone design and contribution to the music industry. A continuing commitment to provide innovative, technically refined products and engineering solutions of proven quality ensures that Neumann's stature will remain unassailable.

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Clear Channel’s Creative Services Group (CSG) Opts For Neumann TLM 103 Microphones

25th April 2006

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