Neumann U87 ai Studio Set nine

Neumann U87 ai Studio Set
Neumann U87 vocals and instrument microphone. (note with original elastic suspension)
Capacitor microphone with legendary history, and a true Neumann classic. The U87 evolved early into a reference for all other capacitor microphones on the market. The combination of Neumann´'s quality and an assurance that the microphone can always give the expected good result has contributed to U87 becoming a living legend.
U87 provides a warm and well-balanced sound image that is well suited in many contexts, in particular vocal recordings.

And in English…

Applications
The U 87 Ai condenser microphone is a large diaphragm microphone with three polar patterns and a unique frequency and transient response characteristic.

Users recognize the microphone immediately by its distinctive design. It is a good choice for most general purpose applications in studios, for broadcasting, film and television.

The U 87 Ai is used as a main microphone for orchestra recordings, as a spot mic for single instruments, and extensively as a vocal microphone for all types of music and speech.
Acoustic features
The U 87 Ai is addressed from the front, marked with the Neumann logo. The frequency response of the cardioid and figure-8 directional characteristics are very flat for frontal sound incidence, even in the upper frequency range. The microphone can be used very close To a sound source without the sound becoming unnaturally harsh. By means of a high-pass filter interferences through subsonic and low frequencies are reduced remarkably.

Polar patterns
The dual-diaphragm capsule is elastically mounted and protected by a large headgrille. A switch below the headgrille selects the three directional patterns: omnidirectional, cardioid and figure-8. A window above this switch shows the symbol of the selected characteristic.
Electrical features
The letter A in the name indicates a more recent generation, as compared to the U 87 i microphones that were built from 1967 to 1986. Modifications apply to the electronic components of the microphone only; the capsule remaining unchanged.

The present-day circuitry increases the operational headroom of the U 87 Ai by the bias voltages for the capsule through a reduced resistance. The result is a higher sensitivity of 10 dB for identical sound pressure levels, and an improved S/N ratio of 3 dB.
Filter and attenuation
A switch located at the rear attenuates the sensitivity by 10 dB. When this switch is activated, the microphone accepts sound pressure levels up to 127 dB (equivalent to a sound pressure of 45 Pa) without distortion.

An additional switch at the rear allows to change the microphone's cutoff frequency. This reduces low frequency interference directly at the input of the microphone amplifier.

This setting also compensates for the unavoidable bass boost that occurs with all pressure gradient transducers when they are used at close distance (proximity effect).

The cardioid characteristic maintains a smooth frequency response at a distance of 30 to 40 cm, the figure-8 characteristic even at a distance of 15 to 20 cm.

• Acoustical operating principle Pressure gradient transducer
• Directional pattern Omnidirectional, cardioid, figure-8
• Frequency range 20 Hz… 20 kHz
• Sensitivity at 1 kHz into 1 kohm 20/28/22 mV / Pa1)
• Rated impedance 200 ohms
• Rated load impedance 1 kohms
• Equivalent noise level, CCIR2) 26/23/25 dB1)
• Equivalent noise level, A-weighted2) 15/12/14 dB-A1)
• Signal-to-noise ratio, CCIR2) (rel. 94 dB SPL) 68/71/69 dB1)
• Signal-to-noise ratio, A-weighted2) (rel. 94 dB SPL) 79/82/80 dB1)
• Maximum SPL for THD 0.5% 3) 117 dB (cardioid)
• Maximum SPL for THD 0.5% with preattenuation3) 127 dB
• Maximum output voltage 390 mV
• Supply voltage (P48, IEC 61938) 48 V ± 4 V
• Current consumption (P48, IEC 61938) 0.8 mA
• Matching connectors XLR3F
• Weight 500 g
• Diameter 56 mm
• Length 200 mm