Introducing the Neumann U87 Ai condenser microphone The Neumann U 87 Ai is probably the best-known and most frequently used studio microphone the world over. Its smooth and refined sound is as iconic as its elegant exterior design. The U 87 Ai is the standard microphone for speech and vocals. Three polar patterns plus pad and low cut options make it adaptable to a wide range of applications. The Neumann U 87 Ai is a true legend. Introduced in 1967, it has shaped the sound of countless hit records for the past 50 years. And when those hits were announced on the radio, many a DJ sat before a U 87 Ai. The legend continues: To this day, no professional recording studio is complete without a Neumann U 87 Ai. The U 87 Ai is the epitome of a large diaphragm condenser microphone. Its tapered body and iconic headgrille design have become part of the collective consciousness. Both looking and sounding the part, the U 87 Ai represents the epitome of studio quality, and has become the gold standard by which other microphones are measured. The U 87 Ai offers a unique combination of linearity and character. Although its on-axis frequency response is remarkably flat, it has a perfectly balanced sound that is versatile and instantly recognisable. Classic Neumann engineering The Neumann U 87 Ai boasts a traditional design, with this timeless formula remaining unchanged for decades. The U 87 Ai uses the same dual diaphragm condenser capsule design as its predecessor, the legendary U 67 of the early 1960s, and the head amplifier is based on the same design principles as its tube driven predecessor. The U 87 Ai goes beyond the classics, featuring a unique FET circuit with a minimal signal path and a transformer balanced output, ensuring maximum signal integrity and high common mode rejection. Unmatched sound The result of this excellent engineering is a studio microphone that boasts unmatched clarity. Its natural sound and unique midrange presence makes the U 87 Ai the ultimate microphone, praised by singers and engineers alike, and is the prime choice for speech applications, such as voice over, dubbing and audio books. Excellent versatility Due to its balanced response in each of its three directional patterns, the U 87 Ai is also a versatile microphone for anything from acoustic guitar to drum overheads. The solid bass response and excellent midrange detail means this microphone is often seen in front of bass and guitar cabinets. A stereo pair of U 87 Ai is the preferred choice for many engineers for recording piano in virtually any genre from pop to jazz to classical music.
