Neumann U 87 Ai Studio Set

Neumann U 87 Ai Studio Set

The Neumann U 87 Ai is probably the best-known and most frequently used studio microphone the world over. Its natural sound and unique midrange presence make the U 87 Ai the ultimate vocal microphone. We use U 87's on vocals, chamber choirs, woodwinds and strings where its smooth and refined sound is as iconic as its elegant exterior design.

The U 87 Ai is known as the standard microphone for studio speech and vocals and it matches well for a wide range of vocal timbres. Three polar patterns plus pad and low cut options make it adaptable to a very wide range of applications.

History & Design

Introduced in 1967, the Neumann U 87 Ai 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 icon of a large diaphragm condenser microphone. Its tapered body and iconic headgrille design have become part of the collective consciousness: This is what a studio microphone sounds and looks like. The U 87 Ai represents studio quality; it has become the gold standard by which other microphones are measured.

What sets the U 87 Ai apart is its unique combination of linearity and character. Although its on-axis frequency response is remarkably flat, it does exert certain charisma. This makes the U 87 Ai both versatile and instantly recognizable.

The U 87 Ai uses the same dual diaphragm condenser capsule design as its predecessor, the no less legendary U 67 of the early 1960s. Its head amplifier, too, is based on the same design principles as its tube driven predecessor, but the U 87 Ai realizes them by means of a unique FET circuit with a minimal signal path and a transformer balanced output, ensuring maximum signal integrity and high common mode rejection.