Neumann U 87 Ai

In a word: classic Neumann. Three directional characteristics and adjustable attenuation ensure ideal characteristics for any application.



At 87, the Neumann is probably the best known and most widely used studio microphone. Every sound engineer will immediately recognize it by its characteristic shape. It is an excellent choice for general studio, broadcast, film and television use. It is also used as the main microphone for orchestras, as a spot microphone for individual instruments and as a vocal microphone for all kinds of singing and spoken word.

The double diaphragm is resiliently mounted and protected by a cover grid. A switch located under the grille selects the directional characteristics: spherical, cardioid and figure-of-eight. The selected characteristic is displayed in the window above the switch. The frequency waveform is the same for both the cardioid and figure-of-eight characteristics at higher frequencies. The microphone can be placed very close to the source without the sound becoming unnaturally sharp. The bass filter significantly reduces distortion at low frequencies even in the subsonic part of the spectrum.

The letter A in the microphone name indicates the newer generation of the U 87 - the original version was produced between 1967 and 1986. The modernization concerns only the electronic part, the microphone capsule is identical. Modern circuitry expands the possibilities of use - the U 87 Ai has 10 dB higher sensitivity and 3 dB better signal-to-noise ratio.

A switch on the back of the microphone reduces the sensitivity by 10 dB and when it is switched on, the U 87 Ai is able to capture distortion-free sound with a sound pressure of up to 127 dB. Another switch adjusts the frequency of the bass filter. This reduces low-frequency interference directly at the microphone amplifier input. This setting also compensates for the unavoidable increase in the level of the bass component when shooting from a short distance ("proximity effect"). With the cardioid characteristic, the frequency curve is balanced at a distance of 30 to 40 cm, and with the figure-of-eight characteristic even between 15 and 20 cm.

It is available in matt nickel and matt black, and in a special "Anniversary Set" version in a combination of chrome and matt nickel.

Features:

- Large-diaphragm microphone

- Pressure-gradient transducer with double-diaphragm capsule

- Classic studio microphone

- Switchable bass filter

- Switchable -10 dB attenuation

- Ideal as a main and secondary microphone for a variety of recording situations

- Package includes wooden carrying case

Specifications:

- Acoustic system: pressure gradient.

- Sensitivity at 1 kHz/1 kOhm: 20/28/22 mV/Pa

- Min. load impedance: 1000 Ohms

- CCIR noise level: 26 / 23 / 25 dB

- Noise level by A: 15 / 12 / 14 dB-A

- CCIR signal-to-noise ratio (94 dB SPL): 68 / 71 / 69 dB

- Signal-to-noise ratio by A (94 dB SPL): 79 / 82 / 80 dB-A

- Max. Sound Pressure Level (SPL) at < 0.5% distortion: 117 dB (cardioid)

- Max. output voltage: 390 mV

- Microphone amplifier dynamic range (A) 105 dB

- Supply voltage (P48, IEC 61938) 48 V ± 4 V

- Supply current (P48, IEC 61938) 0.8 mA

- 3M XLR connector

- Diameter 56 mm

- Length 200 mm