Neumann U 87 Ai Review
Large Diaphragm Multipattern Condenser Microphone
- Studio Standard for Vocals & Instruments
- Cardioid, Omni & Figure-8 Polar Patterns
- Dual-Diaphragm Condenser Capsule
- Low-Noise FET Circuit
- Transformer-Balanced Output
- -10 dB Pad
- Switchable Low-Cut Filter
- Optional Shockmount Reduces Vibration
- Includes Wooden Box
- 48V Phantom Powered
Highlighted Customer Reviews
Showing 1 to 20 of 77 Reviews
a classic that still pleases
Neumann U 87 Ai Condenser Microphone (Studio Set, Nickel)
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
If you can afford one of these you probably do not need to read a review to say why you should have one! It is simply a great studio microphone. There are few situations in which this would be a bad choice, and for voice recording it is a de facto standard. It is not perfect, though, no microphone is, but it sounds warm and big with Neumanns classic presence boost. I have used a U87 alongside many others throughout my 30 year career and it has never disappointed me, even when it was not the best choice. This ai model is a winner. The only reason I give it 4 instead of 5 stars is because it is so sensitive to mounting vibrations. Any physical vibration to the microphone is translated into a nasty 47hz tone, like a drum, with a very slight higher harmonic. This is a problem with many of the older Neumann models and was carried through to the U87. Some more recent Neumanns are improved in this regard, and I had hoped they included those improvements into this newer version of the classic. They did not. Anyway, the 47hz tone is low enough to be filtered out most of the time and is completely absent when using an omni pattern. The EA87 elastic suspension helps a little. I have not heard the higher harmonic tone (370hz?) unless I tap directly on the mic body. Take steps to reduce floor vibrations through the mic stand! The other thing I do not like is the U87s low frequency roll-off. It is so severe that it removes all the lovely warmth you pay dearly for. The microphone sounds great when flat, but rumble and breath pops can be a problem. You MUST use a pop filter for vocal work, or you may find that a big pop will distort the electronics. Speaking of electronics, they are what were upgraded from the original U87 design. I like the upgrade! It is cleaner sounding to me (the old ones sometimes were just a wee bit fuzzy), and definitely quieter. In fact, this microphone puts out a very hot signal, way more than the original model and more than most of my other microphones. I wouldnt use this to record tom toms, the way we used to do with the original model. For voice work, this sets the standard by which all others are judged. ... More
Awesome
Neumann U 87 Ai Shockmount Set Z Microphone with Box
Reviewed by Matt on Guitar Center
There is a reason this microphone is the industry standard for recording vocals... It is quite possibly the best vocal mic. Some of the vocal mics I have in my mic locker include: Neumann TLM 103 Ann., Telefunken U47, Rode Classic II, and the AKG C12. All of the above microphones are amazing; however, the U87 stands slightly above the rest for a few reasons. It is durable, reliable, and maintenance is nonexistent (outside of proper storage). Of course, some vocalist will sound better through a U47 or an AKG C12... Nevertheless, the U87 tends to fit most voices very well and it is a work horse. I have never heard it sound bad on a voice. I cannot say the same for the U67, U47, AKG C12, and a few others. If you want to compete with the pros... You need this mic... ... More
50 Years Later And The U87 Is Still In The Mix
Neumann U 87 Ai Large Diaphragm Multipattern Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by David K. on Reverb
Most interested people probably look upon the U87 as the industry standard vocal mic. I bought mine for the application of recording acoustic and electric guitar. A couple years ago I bought a U47-FET and I really love that mic. I found it sounds fantastic on guitar amps, vocals, and other applications. So I thought one of these days I'll get a U87... One thing I've read about, and what stands out to me about the U87 and the U47 is just how spot on and balanced they sound. In fact a Neumann microphone can sound down right silky. They don't really require much of in the way of equalization. You put mic on a guitar or amp and bamb! You sound beautiful. Well a U87 can be and has been used for just about anything. And when it comes to the history of recorded guitar tracks, plenty them were tackled deploying a U87 going back to 1967. And if you are wanting to capture the guitar sound of Zeppelin or Aerosmith, you're probably reaching for a U87. Perhaps the only negative thing I can say about the U87 is the price you have to pay for one. However, I'd rather not see Neumann go the way of AKG and Shure, relocating the manufacturing of their mics to some other country as a means of cutting the cost of production. But even still, the cost of a U87 is three times that of a C414, another great mic to which I have used a pair of for years. But to make matters worse, there is no stand adapter or shock mount included with the basic purchase of U87Ai. And if you want the Neumann shock mount, you'll be looking at paying another $400 for a new one. That's four times what you'd pay for the H85 shock mount that comes included with many of AKG's line of condenser microphones. I ended buying a shock mount from an outfit in Australia by the name of "Bees Neez" for $91, a quarter of the price for the Neumann shock mount. So if Neumann cannot lower the cost of the U87 itself, can they at least give us a break on the cost of the shock mount? ... More
Neumann U87 Ai Set
Neumann U 87 Ai Shockmount Set Z Microphone with Box
Reviewed by David Dolnick on Guitar Center
What can you say it's an 87 and still everything you want in a microphone. In fact when is the last the last time you heard someone say Darn, I wish I didn't buy an 87. The fact is I have been recording for years and have owned U87's in the past and work with them constantly. They are a consistant go to microphone they make most everything sound great not just really good but great. I just cut some vocal and electric guitar tracks and with just a little mic placement and good technique captured some killer vocals that required ZERO Eq and great guitar tracks about 2 feet back and a Telefunken M81 at speaker edge. That session alone was my payback on the expense of this microphone set. Save your money don't buy a bunch of want to be microphones. Just get a U87 and you won't look back. ... More
Expensive - but You're Worth It!
Neumann U 87 Ai Condenser Microphone (Nickel)
Reviewed by Enrico Shaguerini on B&H Photo Video
Many of us have been hypnotized by the endless sea of microphones that physically look like and sonically aspire to be like the U87. After wrestling with imitations for years, I finally learned an important lesson. SAVE UP and BUY THE REAL THING. You deserve to sound excellent! No matter what your gear is, I feel the most important aspect of recording is a GREAT MICROPHONE. I've used this microphone with inexpensive and top of the line mixers... Neve, Studer, Art TUBE MP's... Wow... Guess what? this mic sounds amazing through anything. From sensitive close proximity spoken word to the slap of moroccan goat skin drums to distorted guitar thru noisy tube amps to quiet, snooty booty cello solos, this mic captures ALL the magic. It captures something inexplicable. You can use it on anything! My only advice is keep it extremely clean, store it in a safe place. :) If you have a home studio, do yourself a grand favor. Get one. You won't be sorry - and you'll perform better as this microphone has a way of inspiring the best performances. Cheers Friends. David ... More
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The Truth, for better or for worse
Neumann U 87 Ai Large Diaphragm Multipattern Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Rick P. on Reverb
This microphone is a studio standard, and has been for decades. No one needs my input to know it’s a high quality, literally world class mic. What you might need to know if you don’t own a world class studio is “what does it sound like in a home studio?” The short version is it sounds astonishingly clear and accurate. It hears everything. Everything. So if there are extraneous noises happening in your room, this mic will pick them up too. You’ll have to make sure your room is reasonably “clean.” What that means is it picks up all of what you send it, with a nuance and air about it that just doesn’t happen with cheap knock-offs. If your vocal is great, your recording will get all of that performance on it. If your vocal is sketchy, you get all of that too. Some vocalists won’t like that, some love it. You can guess which is which. The U87 gives you the truth. The truth is sometimes beautiful, sometimes painful. And while the truth may not be always great, this microphone is. ... More
Clinical and Alive
Neumann U 87 Ai Large Diaphragm Multipattern Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Dennis B. on Reverb
There is a lot of nuance with this mic. I've not played with it on a clean preamp much. When I did, it was brighter than a Neutral mic (and much brighter than a 414) but not overly bright (like the TLM103) that it presented sibilance. More a CLEAR bright, no muddiness. On acoustic and vocals you can hear with such clarity that if you make mistakes, you'll hear them. But unlike other (cheaper mics) you won't hear the mistake of "sibilance". It scrubs that or doesn't allow it. It goes into the DAW very well and takes effects very well w/o distortion like my cheaper mics did. One interesting thing is the polar patterns. In Cardiod, I was surprised. Vs other cheaper cardiods, this mic really took what was in front of it alot more with less noise getting in. Not like a Dynamic, but like it was on the job with you singing or performing instead of trying to listen in on the other room and make cockroaches footfalls compete with your performance. I think it was worth the money. I put mine through a Neve Clone (BAE) and an LA2A clone (WA2A) and it's smooth as butter and any typical harshness with my voice it really makes sound a LOT better. Radio presence, or Mix Ready as they say. Prob need a little EQ here and there (tame low end, maybe take out some harsh vocal frequency of an amateur singer) but who doesn't do that even to great singers? ... More
Impressed
Neumann U 87 Ai Large Diaphragm Multipattern Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by David S. on Reverb
So, first I'll say that I'm a songwriter/musician/hobbyist and record mainly at home. By no means am I an expert. I've always been pretty happy with my vocal recordings using my trusty AT4050 into a Great River ME1NV. I also recently tried out the Slate VMS, and was moderately impressed with it, although it was quite sibilant. However, when I would compare the overall quality to other studio recordings, I felt like both of these options were missing a little something with clarity and that effortless open sound. After reading entirely too many reviews and comparisons of various microphones and why one is superior than another, I just decided to go with the 'standard' and pick up a U87ai used. Best purchase I've made. Although, it may sound a bit flat straight into your DAW, touch it with some light EQ based on the singer and it just pops like no other mic I've used before. It really is something. I'm sure there are indeed other mics that are as good or possibly better, but if you're feeling overwhelmed by options like I was, just go with the U87ai, you won't be disappointed. It's awesome. ... More
Quality Mic
Neumann U 87 Ai Shockmount Set Z Microphone with Box
Reviewed by Anthony on Guitar Center
Ok, some will completely disagree, but I don't consider this a go to vocal mic. Yes it's high quality and will get you professional results, but it doesn't sound great from the start. Some vocals it may work perfect, but if you want something that is modern and perfect for pop/rap vocals, go with a Manley Reference C. Pretty much the same money, a little less actually. But the difference is outstanding. Not saying this isn't a good choice, but the Manley is much more modern sounding. Sure with the right eq setting this can sound very close, but the Manley has that sound from the start. To me, the u87ai sounds wooly or fuzzy in the mids. Not much detail to the top end. The bottom end is good though. Warm and smooth. The Manley Ref C is very good for vocals though. Bright, detailed and open top end without being harsh. Nice present smooth, clear, warm mids and a very smooth and warm bottom end. Bottom line, you can't go wrong with a u87, but for the price, it's worth trying out the Manley. ... More
Awesome microphone set
Neumann U 87 Ai Condenser Microphone (Studio Set, Nickel)
Reviewed by CuriousMarc on B&H Photo Video
One of the best (some would say the best...) microphone in the business, particularly for vocals and lower sound level instruments (acoustic guitar, flute, etc...). Extremely sensitive, very low noise. Picks up the tiniest detail. The switchable polar pattern, integrated low cut filter and 10 dB attenuation pad means you can use them for anything in any situation, couple of switches and you are done. Just did a simultaneous recording with my Schoeps on a flute and these sounded even better, if that was at all possible. More velvet and refinment in the mid tones. You could immediately tell why they are unsurpassed on voice. If you can afford it and don't mind how large they are, this is the quintessential studio mic you need in your arsenal. ... More
It’s a standard.
Neumann U 87 Ai Large Diaphragm Multipattern Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Joe E. on Reverb
U87s are like Pro Tools in that while it is a fine product, there are other options which do a better job for less money. The real value is in the fact that it is a standard. Pretty much every major film studio requires the use of U87s for VO. For that reason, and that reason alone, I bought a pair. They certainly aren’t bad mics, but unless it is required, I would recommend a whole bunch of other mics first. The U87ai (vs pre- 1986, original U87s) is particularly “zizzy”. It does have that famous Neumann midrange thickness which is nice, but for half the price (on the used market) a Gefell UMT71 sounds as full in the mids and doesn’t have the same phony sounding high end. I don’t mean to slam the U87ai, it’s just very expensive for the average buyer and doesn’t beat a slew of other newer mics from other manufacturers. ... More
Accurate
Neumann U 87 Ai Condenser Microphone (Studio Set, Nickel)
Reviewed by Steven on B&H Photo Video
I purchased the Neumann U87Ai for accurate voice recording. I have used this same mic when I did volunteer recording for the blind some years back and was impressed. I am very satisfied with its sound and my purchase. I have only tried it on voice so far. The B&H video demonstrating this mic with several others was helpful in making up my mind. The mic is being used initially with a Sound Devices 633.
Excellent microphone
Neumann U 87 Ai Large Diaphragm Multipattern Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Michael H. on Reverb
Some say you can get better sounding mics for less, or a clone, but I trust this mic and it's true Neumann made capsule to be the real deal. It's a classic for a reason. Any self respecting professional studio should have one of these. It has a full and natural, unhyped sound with a super smooth top end that's not harsh or fatiguing, a midrange that's full and present and just the right amount of bottom for weight on a vocal. It's transformer balanced, giving it a slight touch of harmonic character but not as much as a tube. It's just right IMHO. You can't go wrong with this mic. Just make sure to have a quality boom stand because it's got some heft. ... More
Excellent
Neumann U 87 Ai Condenser Microphone (Black)
Reviewed by Peter on B&H Photo Video
An ultimate aspirational mic for me. I have compared this with a vintage u87. For vocals, the vintage U 87 has a slightly more noticeable presence. By presence, I mean that you feel like the microphone is a noctilux-level macro lens focusing in on the singer's articulation and bringing them up close to your ear. All that, but it doesn't sound like it's trying. The new U 87 Ai is almost the same as the old U 87, but a bit more neutral. Less emphasis of sounds like ch (as in, chess), and the specs say less noise. That's my two cents, at least! The U 87 Ai is an amazing sounding mic and lives up to its name. I'd agree with so many reviewers who say that it's just plain good on anything. ... More
Everything (so far) sounds better through a U87 Ai
Neumann U 87 Ai Large Diaphragm Multipattern Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Gear - o - R. on Reverb
I've been using a U87 Ai for a month or so now, and everything I've tried it on just sounds better (mainly using it for vocals and acoustic instruments). Especially enjoying the low end, which is full, but not boomy like most other condensers I've used. It's very smooth from top to bottom, with a bit of a high boost that gives it a nice "airy" sound without harsh highs.
U87
Neumann U 87 Ai Large Diaphragm Multipattern Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Kenji H. on Reverb
Every day of my life I've been trying to test out every microphone out there in the world and convinced myself that I can get a better sound or close enough sound to the u87. I just tried it today and man do I regret spending money on these other microphones. Of course, the price is high. But if you think about it. Buying multiple microphones in the long run and struggling to find the right mic will cost you just as much or if not more than just buying the u87. Just get it. You won't regret it.
Neuman U87 AI w/shock mount
Neumann U 87 Ai Large Diaphragm Multipattern Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Stephen D. on Reverb
5 Stars......Ed's Gear Emporium is the best. Ed is a grammy award winning music producer/engineer with excellent A Class gear. Super professional and knowledgeable. We will be purchasing more gear and services! The special vintage microphone was in excellent condition with a story - history. Great deal.
So beautiful , so real , audio silk
Neumann U 87 Ai Large Diaphragm Multipattern Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Daniel L. on Reverb
I have listened to many microphones that people have custom made to sound like a U87 , but nothing ( just my opinion ) sounds like a U87. The depth of clarity and subtle sound nuances it captures are as realistic to the natural sound as I have ever heard. Sure there is better , but for what price . But just as bad as a lays potato chip , ya can't just have one. D
Neuman U87 ai
Neumann U 87 Ai Large Diaphragm Multipattern Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Chino C. on Reverb
This Neuman U87 ai microphone is crispy clear, compared to my previously owned Neuman TLM 103. The Neuman u87 ai has a very compressed tight professional sound which is standard in most High end Recording studios. Definitely a great investment on my behalf & recommended for musicians looking for a top notch sound which will elevate the work in terms of quality. Satisfied Customer :)
It's a Neumann
Neumann U 87 Ai Large Diaphragm Multipattern Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by David S. on Reverb
This mic will reproduce sound as it is. If the performance is excellent, the results will be great if the performance is subpar...well, you get the idea. This mic upgraded my home studio. I have no complaints.
