The Neumann U 87 Ai microphone is highly acclaimed and widely used in the industry. It offers a large dual-diaphragm capsule that allows for three different polar patterns: omnidirectional, cardioid, and figure-8. You can easily switch between these patterns using the selector located underneath the protective grille.
This microphone also features a 10 dB attenuation switch on the back of the body, which allows for distortion-free operation even at sound pressure levels up to 127 dB. Additionally, there is a low-frequency cut-off adjustment option that reduces the signal level at the lower end and compensates for proximity effect.
When set to cardioid and figure-8 patterns, the U 87 Ai provides a flat response throughout the upper frequency range. It can be positioned very close to the sound source without introducing any unnatural harshness. Furthermore, the high-pass filter effectively suppresses low-frequency interference.
The dual-diaphragm capsule is mounted on a flexible suspension and protected by a metal grille. The selector makes it easy to switch between the omnidirectional, cardioid, and figure-8 patterns, with the selected pattern indicated by a symbol displayed above the selector.
On the back of the microphone, there is an attenuation switch that reduces sensitivity by 10 dB, allowing the microphone to handle sound pressure levels up to 127 dB without distortion. There is also a switch to adjust the cut-off frequency of the high-pass filter, reducing low-frequency interference at the input of the microphone preamplifier. This filter compensates for the low-frequency boost characteristic of pressure gradient microphones when placed in close proximity to the sound source.
Key features of the U 87 Ai include being a matched pair of microphones, having a large-diaphragm with switchable polar patterns, being a pressure gradient transducer with a dual-diaphragm capsule, and being a classic studio microphone. It is an ideal choice for various applications as a main or auxiliary microphone.
The package includes:
- Two microphones
- Two EA 87 shock mounts
- An aluminum case
- Documentation
