{"id":5777,"date":"2023-12-09T17:16:23","date_gmt":"2023-12-09T17:16:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/soundref.com\/?page_id=5777"},"modified":"2024-02-19T16:00:17","modified_gmt":"2024-02-19T16:00:17","slug":"neumann-u87-ai-review","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/soundref.com\/neumann-u87-ai-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Neumann U87 AI Review"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Definitive Neumann U87 AI Review<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Is the U87 really the ultimate choice for your recording studio?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Reviewed by:<\/strong> Paul Narang
Latest update:<\/strong> December 2023
Current price: <\/strong>Around $3,500<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Neumann U87 AI condenser microphone<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Neumann U87 AI Review<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
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Pros:<\/strong><\/td>Cons:<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Incredible, classic sound
Extremely high build quality
Switchable Polar Patterns<\/td>		Very expensive
Accessories are expensive
Picks up ambient and background noise<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Neumann U87 AI Review<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Known for it\u2019s clear, detailed balanced tone and excellent build quality, the Neumann U87 is one of the most highly regarded microphones in the world.  Earning a solid reputation over the last five decades, it features on countless classic recordings from the Beatles to the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is it?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Neumann company was founded in 1928, and has a long history of innovative recording technology. They made the first ever commercially available condenser mic, and were the first to release a microphone with switchable polar patterns in 1949.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This line of innovation eventually lead to the U87 on reviews, which was first released in 1967.  It was an instant classic, and has been used in the studio by world-renowned artists including Stevie Wonder, Kurt Cobain, Jeff Buckley, Beyonce and many more.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neumann U 87 is a side-address solid state condenser microphone with switchable polar patterns. You can choose between cardioid, omni-directional and figure-of-eight polar patterns at the flick of a switch. This makes the U87 indispensable for a variety of recording needs in the studio, from recording vocals to all types of acoustic instruments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the internal circuit of the mic has had many tweaks over the years, the current version (U87 AI) has the same classic sound as the original.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

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In the box<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Just in case you had any doubt about how special the U87 is, its presented in a beautiful solid wood box. It certainly adds to the appeal, and harks back to the earlier days of high end studio mics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There’s an alternative option called the ‘Studio Set’, which includes a custom shock mount and windshield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Neumann U 87 in its custom wooden box<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Dynamic vs condenser microphones<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There’s two main types of microphones – condensers and dynamics, with the Neumann U87 AI being a classic large diaphragm condenser mic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what are the differences between condenser and dynamic microphones, and is a condenser mic the right choice for you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dynamic microphones<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Dynamic mics, such as the Shure SM58<\/a> are extremely durable, and can withstand a certain amount of rough and tumble. The robust mechanism means they’re also less sensitive to distortion from high sound levels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the weight of the coil limits how responsive the mic can be, and it tends to struggle to replicate high frequencies and dynamic detail. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dynamic mics are particularly suited to live and stage use. They’re \u2018passive\u2019 meaning they don’t require any power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Condenser microphones<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, condenser mics don’t have all the sonic limitations of dynamics, and can deliver a lot of detail and clarity.  They tend to be used for studio recording due to their ability to reproduce sound so accurately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Condensers offer a higher output level than dynamic mics, but they’re a lot more sensitive to loud noises, handling noise, and tend to be more fragile. They’re \u2018active\u2019 meaning they need a supply of \u2018phantom power\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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More about the different types of microphones here<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

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Neumann U87 AI in the EA87 shock mount<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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The Neumann U87 AI Polar pattern<\/strong>s<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Neumann U87 has 3 selectable polar patterns:<\/p>\n\n\n\n