ReviewFinder Microphones

Neumann U87 Ai

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Sound Quality
Directionality
Connectivity
Features
Compatibility
Durability
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11 Verified Hands-On Reviews

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Expert reviews [11]

96
Total expert reviews: 11
  • with a score: 3
  • without a score: 8
Highest score by audiotrove.com.au
100
Average score based on 11 reviews
96
Lowest score by Music Critic
92

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20
92
The Neumann U87 Ai is a versatile and high-quality studio microphone that offers three directional patterns and a unique sound. It has been used in professional recording and broadcasting studios for over 50 years and is handbuilt by experts for flawless quality.
+ pros
  • Versatile for a wide range of purposes with three polar patterns and switchable options.
  • Unique sound with a distinctive character that is instantly recognizable.
  • Proven track record of quality and popularity in professional recording and broadcasting studios.
  • Handbuilt by experts for flawless quality assurance.
- cons
  • Expensive price point.
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ReviewFinder: authentic product reviews summarized by a powerful AI engine.

Expert consensus

The Neumann U87 Ai is a top-of-the-line condenser microphone that delivers warm, crystal-clear, and detailed sound quality, making it ideal for recording vocals, acoustic guitar, and spot microphones for individual instruments in a sound-treated recording space.

The Neumann U87 Ai is a top-of-the-line condenser microphone that is highly regarded for its warm, crystal-clear, and detailed sound quality. It is ideal for recording vocals, acoustic guitar, and spot microphones for individual instruments in a sound-treated recording space.

The microphone is highly versatile with its three selectable directional patterns and switchable attenuation pad and low-frequency roll-off switches. It is compatible with most audio interfaces and preamps that provide phantom power and is suitable for professional recording studios, podcasters, and musicians who require a high-quality microphone for capturing vocals or instruments.

The microphone is built to last with its rugged all-metal construction and comes with a shock-mount and carrying case for easy transportation. Overall, the Neumann U87 Ai is a versatile and reliable microphone that delivers exceptional sound quality and performance for a variety of recording and broadcasting needs.

Sound Quality

The Neumann U87 Ai is a highly regarded microphone known for its warm, crystal-clear, and detailed sound, making it a must-have for any professional recording studio.

The Neumann U87 Ai is a highly regarded microphone for recording vocals and instruments, known for its warm, crystal-clear, and detailed sound. Its balanced frequency response offers an accurate sound representation across the entire audio spectrum, capturing every nuance and detail of the sound source.

The microphone has exceptional clarity and fidelity, producing polished results time and time again. It is effective at reducing background noise and minimizing pickup of ambient sounds in a recording environment, making it a versatile tool for any recording engineer or musician. The U87 Ai is an exceptional choice for capturing pristine vocal recordings and is widely considered to be one of the best microphones for this purpose.

Its switchable polar patterns, high-pass filter, and pad give you more control over the sound of the microphone, making it a versatile tool for any recording engineer or musician. Overall, the Neumann U87 Ai is a top-of-the-line microphone that delivers exceptional sound quality and is a must-have for any professional recording studio.

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Directionality

The Neumann U87 Ai microphone is a versatile and high-quality option for recording vocals, acoustic guitar, and individual instruments, with three selectable directional patterns and excellent detail and clarity, but may not be ideal for noisy environments.

The Neumann U87 Ai microphone is highly versatile with its three selectable directional patterns: omnidirectional, cardioid, and figure-of-eight. It is ideal for recording vocals, acoustic guitar, and spot microphones for individual instruments. The microphone is capable of picking up sound from different angles and distances, providing excellent detail and clarity.

However, it may not be the best choice for recording in a noisy environment and is recommended to be used in a sound-treated recording space. Overall, the Neumann U87 Ai is a versatile and high-quality microphone suitable for a variety of recording situations.

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Connectivity

The Neumann U87 Ai microphone requires phantom power and an XLR input, making it suitable for professional audio recording and broadcasting applications.

The Neumann U87 Ai microphone has a standard XLR connector for audio output, which requires phantom power (+48V) to operate. It can be connected to any device that provides phantom power and has an XLR input, such as a mixing console, audio interface, or preamp. The quality of audio transmission can vary depending on the quality of the cable and the preamp used, but the microphone itself has a very low self-noise and high sensitivity, resulting in a clean and detailed audio signal.

However, it does not have any built-in connectivity options such as USB or Bluetooth, so it cannot be connected directly to a computer or mobile device without an audio interface or mixer. Overall, the Neumann U87 Ai microphone is ideal for professional audio recording and broadcasting applications that require high-quality audio transmission.

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Features

The Neumann U87 Ai is a high-quality condenser microphone with switchable attenuation pad and low-frequency roll-off switches, ideal for professional recording studios, podcasters, and musicians.

The Neumann U87 Ai is a high-quality condenser microphone that does not have a built-in headphone jack, mute button, or volume controls. However, it does have switchable attenuation pad and low-frequency roll-off switches that can help to reduce unwanted noise and adjust the microphone's sound.

This microphone is ideal for professional recording studios, podcasters, and musicians who require a high-quality microphone for capturing vocals or instruments. It is also suitable for live performances and broadcasting applications where a preamp or audio interface with gain control can be used to adjust the input level.

Overall, the Neumann U87 Ai is a versatile and reliable microphone that delivers exceptional sound quality and performance.

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Compatibility

The Neumann U87 Ai microphone is highly compatible with most audio interfaces and preamps that provide phantom power, featuring an XLR connector and standard analog microphone compatibility with most operating systems and recording software.

The Neumann U87 Ai microphone is highly compatible with most audio interfaces and preamps that provide phantom power, as it requires +48V phantom power to operate. It features an XLR connector, which is a standard connector type found on most audio interfaces and preamps.

The microphone is a standard analog microphone that uses an XLR connection, making it compatible with most operating systems and recording software that support analog audio inputs. It should be compatible with any recording software that accepts analog audio inputs and any operating system that supports audio input devices.

This makes it an ideal choice for professional recording studios, podcasters, and musicians who require a high-quality microphone that is compatible with a wide range of devices and software.

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Durability

The Neumann U87 Ai microphone is a premium and robust microphone with a rugged all-metal construction, dual-diaphragm capsule, and three directional patterns, making it an excellent choice for professional recording studios and serious musicians.

The Neumann U87 Ai microphone is a premium and robust microphone that is built to last. It has a rugged all-metal construction with a nickel finish and features a dual-diaphragm capsule with three directional patterns. The microphone is designed for rigorous studio use and feels solid and durable.

It comes with a shock-mount to help reduce handling noise and a carrying case for easy transportation. While it is not recommended to intentionally drop the microphone, with proper care, the Neumann U87 Ai should work for years to come. However, it is not waterproof and should not be exposed to moisture or water.

Overall, the Neumann U87 Ai is an excellent choice for professional recording studios and serious musicians who require a durable and reliable microphone.

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Position in ranking

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