Neumann U87 Ai Set Multi Pattern Condenser Microphone w/Windscreen and Shockmount

Phew! Now that that’s out of the way, let’s discuss why.

Beneath the sturdy, well-built head-grill is the famous Neumann K67 large diaphragm, dual back-plate capsule. It offers 3 selectable polar patterns (omnidirectional, cardioid and figure-8) that are easily switchable from the front of the mic. Around the rear of the mic is a 10 dB attenuation switch. It enables the microphone to handle sound pressure levels up to 127 dB. This means that you can place the U87ai in front of a loud source yet still be able to cleanly capture all the subtleties and nuances without breaking up (i.e.: distortion). Also around the back is a low-frequency cutoff switch, handy when the source is emitting an over abundance of low-end signal. Allow the vocalist to get real up-close and personal to the mic and not overload the low-end due to proximity effect. Brilliant!

The Neumann U87 ai shines when employed for lead vocal duties, but is equally comfortable capturing acoustic guitar, woodwinds, string instruments, room sounds, and hand percussion. Throw a pair of u87ai’s over an acoustic grand piano and elegantly capture the depth and richness of this awesome beast. Space a pair over an acoustic drum-kit and you’ll delight in the precision reproduced thwack of the toms and sizzle of the cymbals, all without breaking a sweat.

The venerable Neumann U87 ai is undoubtedly the barometer for which all other solid-state, large-diaphragm microphones are judged. That, my friends, is by no means an accident.