Neumann U 87 Ai Set Large-diaphragm Condenser Microphone - Nickel Reviews

I've tried many microphones over the years, wasted so much time and money chasing the U87 sonic signature. I could have had one by now with all the $$$$ I've spent on microphones since 2011. But we learn and grow. I recently got a Townsend Sphere microphone and even that paired with two Neve 511s, the U87 Microphone Model doesn't come close to the real U87.

I recently took my Neve Shelford Channel to my friend's studio who has a U87. Those two paired together is vocal paradise for Hip Hop Vocals.

I listened to the vocal session at my studio and was blown away by the quality, so much so that I wanna sell my Sphere and return my Rupert Neve 6 Slot Chassis plus the 511s to put that $$$ towards the U87. That's all I need for my studio, the U87 paired with the Shelford Channel. I can use that set up for anyone who records at my Studio.

When you're recording with expensive microphones like the Sony 800g, U87, and Elam 251 going into hardware preamps like a 1073, the tube tech CL1B, then mix those vocals with plugins, it doesn't fall apart. You retain a lot of the vocal quality because the front end recording chain is high end. But you can't do that with a cheap mic and cheap front end

I regret not getting the U87 a long time ago.

I was using a TLM103, almost to my perfect satisfaction, but finally took a shot at picking up the U87. When I first got it I replaced the 103 with the 87 for a cold test run, and without any other tinkering it instantly sounded much more clear and "alive." Dialing in the eq and dynamics has been easy--I need much less of them.

Yes, it's pricey, but so far this has been the one purchase to have made the most difference on vox/voice.

I finally bought this mic and I am happy with my purchase!
This mic is very transparent so what you record is exactly what you get . So record as treated as possible because it is a very detailed mic and what you run through it matters too. I have mine running thru Neve 1073 and 1176 sound amazing ! If you get this mic do not go cheap on it when it comes to preamp/interface. Get a nice quality preamp/interface to get the most out of this mic . If you run it thru the Neve 1073 you get that Neve vintage colored sound . I don't own but I actually listened to it with the Avalon 737 preamp , it gives that neutral clean sound . So do your research on what preamps to get .

Excellent microphone & build quality. You get what you want when you purchase this mic: versatility (works on vocals and instruments), accurate representation of sound source, and a workhorse of a mic.

Short of the $6-12k range of mics, this is THE solid first pro microphone you should get for vocals. A work horse.
The first thing you put on a source. It's rare it doesn't work on a source.
Maybe older mics can sound better, but I don't like to gamble on how "fixed" an older mic is. (and pay double having it checked/fixed)

I got this mic b/c I wanted COLOR and VINTAGE.

Of course, a microphone is only as good as its preamp. (just like a Guitar & Amplifier) I like something along the lines of a 1073 (clone for me, BAE, bc of more color/vintage) but point is, pairing this with a

I'm a voice actor and this mic sounds fantastic...replicates my voice naturally, just how I and my client's want. Plus it makes the sound engineer happy...and that's important. ;-)

Yes, that's how long I waited, dreamed of and drooled over owning this legendary mic. I remember a friend/colleague letting me hear my voice on his that long ago and never forgot the quality sound. So, my guy at Sweetwater, Jacob Leonhardt emailed me the special deal offer and finally said "it's now or maybe never" to buy. Jacob took very good care of me; and it arrived right on schedule, so naturally I was like a kid at Christmas! Opened up the high-quality (redwood?) box it arrived in, along with nickel shock mount and mic cable, plugged it into my Aphex Channel pre-amp and WOW!!! Immediately impressed by the clarity, almost non-existent mouth noise, and awesome sound! So I'm thinking, well-worth the wait and investment. Now, it's not totally replaced my Sennheiser MKH416, and I have them BOTH installed and conveniently ready to use, but it's becoming my new fav for high-quality Voice Over. If you're wondering if this venerable, legendary mic lives up to it's reputation, take my word for it...it does! Ron Allan, BIG VOICE Productions, LLC

The U87 fits so well in many situations. We use it for vocals which gives us a nice resuponse over all. For bass drums to pick up the low end and a bit more of the beater click. For micing room ambiance to better hear the subtle reflection energy. I really like it as the figure 8 of a mid side combination on an acoustic guitar as well as a guitar can mic.

I have a meager budget. Sometimes when I save up a while and purchase an item, I feel a bit let down. I can happily say that this is not the case - and who doesn't love a mic that raises in value if maintains correctly?

Finally, a word of warning. Once you hear the sound and it's clarity - you learn that the pre's in most audio interfaces aren't up to snuff and the wallet has to be opened back up for a mid level preamp. I went with a Neve, but Sweetwater has more than a few to choose from.

Huge upgrade to the Neumann TLM 103 that I had. The TLM 103 does add warmth but if you want natural sounding vocal recordings this is the best mic. You can always add warmth later on in the processing.

I've recorded with Keith Whitley's producer in the Sound Emporium, Nashville with this mic. I can't tell you how please I am beyond description. I've recorded on almost every mic out there, many good, this one your going to shine!

I had one of these in my possession for a couple of months. I recorded with it. It sounded great. I loved it. I had to give it back. :-(
I am a hobbyist recording guy, thus my budget unfortunately does not justify the cost of one of these things. However, if it did, I would have one. If you can afford it, buy it.

I've literally been saving up for a u87 for 10 years, and finally got one this week. I'm writing this a few minutes after finally tracking my first session with it - and I have to say, the sound quality actually took my breath away. This microphone is so beautiful, so silky, so detailed, so rich - it makes you sound like you. I'm a radio/podcast person, so I'd offer the caveat that I probably won't end up using it on a lot of instruments or non-vocal sources, and don't have a good sense of what makes an ideal mic for that kind of recording. My primary uses are close-mic'd voices for storytelling and narration - and wow does the u87 sound beautiful for those things!

There is a reason why professionals like Steven Wilson who is also an "audiophile" use it. Blown away. Worth every dollar.

I was skeptical about buying this mic because, even though it's legendary, many folks on the internet say it's way over-priced and some say the newer Ai version that's available is lousy compared to the 1980s version. But I must say, this mic is amazing. I use other Neumann products and am always blown away by how crisp and clear the sound representation is. The fidelity is incredible. I did some voice-over work with my dad and his comment was, "Whoa, my recorded voice sounds just like it does in real life!" His voice is definitely a bass voice, but a bit high in that spectrum. When he talks high, he can sound nasally on something of lesser quality (like when he's recorded preaching at church live through an E6). But this U87 renders his voice masterfully. If you're looking for a mic that flatters your voice or gives it an unnatural (which isn't necessarily bad) sheen that sounds cool on record (like if you're trying to sound vintage or smoother or bassier than you actually are or something - again, not "bad" per se), then yeah, I could see why this wouldn't be your go-to. But the pros have gone to this for years because it reliably presents what you put into it with precision and accuracy. Very nice. I've also used it on vocals (I'm baritone - like right smack in the middle of bass and tenor - I call it a pop music voice) and acoustic guitar (Taylor 314CE). The proximity effect is not bad - it's a good proximity effect, one that's useful, not overdone and has to be filtered out. I don't actually even use the HPF sometimes. The Taylor has some really nice bass tones as well as some sparkling bright, crisp highs (standard Taylor sound), and it has a TON of resonance. I've had trouble with some other cheaper mics which couldn't handle all this intake - it muddied the sound or distorted sometimes. Sure I could fix that with EQ and mic positioning, but what's the point of that? I'd rather have my U87 which I can rely on to soak in all of that nice Taylor sound and give it right back to me through my speakers. That way I'm not using mic positioning and EQ to "save" my sound, I'm just using those tools to perfect my sound. I don't like having tools which limit me and make me serve their short comings. I want tools which work for me, not make me work for them. This U87 is quality enough to let me call the shots. With lesser mics, I often have to work hard just to get the sound I want; this one isn't going to do it all for you, but it certainly makes capturing the sound my ears are hearing much easier. I don't think I'll ever sell this thing.

Oh and the set is nice too. The mic-only deal is a bit pointless unless you already have a shock mount etc - the set comes with other things which we all will need to use this mic.

The wood box is nicely made. The shock mount works great. I LOVE Neumann's screw-in shock mount design - AKGs (plastic - what?!) shock mounts don't always convince me they will hold my investment, so this Neumann design was a huge relief.

I have never owned a microphone of this caliber before, having spent my time on the "other side" of the glass in my studio experiences. Now that I am working on writing and recording, I decided it was time to get as serious about my recording gear as I have been about my guitar gear all these years. The U87Ai seemed the obvious target, as it and the C414 from AKG were the two mics I have seen in virtually every pro studio I have been in (I have a C414 XLII as well).

I set this up to test with the other mics I have, and with a Bock iFET that I purchased based on the suggestion of Sweetwater reps. The Bock is a unique mic, and a keeper, but that will be in another review. The Neumann U87 has really shown me what a great microphone is capable of... like great guitar gear, it continues to shine in places lesser gear falls short. The clarity is something I didn't even know I was missing. The detail is truly astounding, and has to be heard to be believed. I thought I might be less than impressed and return it, but that thought has left my mind. Once I heard this, I feel like I'd be shortchanging myself to not have it available.

I will say it is an honest mic. What I mean is that when you send something good through it, every amazing detail is there. You can't process what isn't there in the first place, and I feel this microphone catches everything, so there's a lot to work with. It takes EQ or compression very well, and always manages to sound musical (even when I don't). That said, it won't make a lackluster vocal sound good or an out of tune guitar sound tuned. If you send it junk, you'll get a very articulate recording of junk. On the other hand, when you hit it right, every bit of the performance is there. A beautiful thing, indeed.

The price of this rather magnificently constructed item isn't the most expensive thing out there, but neither is it an SM57 in cost. It's an investment in your sound. What's that worth to you? I'd say it's not cheap, but it is reasonable for what you're getting.

By the way, I see a lot of comparisons online with sub-$500 mics and that works like it does for guitars and amps and whatever: in a flash comparison, you might not notice the much difference. In regular use, like with every proper piece of gear, the differences will show. I have seen it for years in other gear, and now totally get it with quality microphones. There is a big difference, and it's all the little things.

I can now see that there is a reason this is the mic you envision when someone says "professional studio vocal microphone." It lives up to its reputation. Finally, I will say I have already spoken with the folks at Neumann, who were amazingly tolerant of my newbie questions and concerns. Nice, knowledgeable guys who enjoy sharing their knowledge of microphones and recording.

All good, five stars.

As a voiceover artist for film trailers and car ads, warm and soft to concert loud and big this mic has changed my client base. Before the U87Ai I had some pretty nice gigs but since picking it up almost everything I have voiced is national or international. It is so awesome! Paired with the Manley Core channel strip and Baby Face Pro interface clients are happier than ever and I do little if no post to my voice. Love it! Thanks to Brad at Sweetwater guiding me.

I must admit I at first mainly bought this mic for the studio bling effect. After Not landing a couple customers due to my mic locker, even though my mics were great, I needed to upgrade. The fact that it was to lower costing Neumanns made me realize in a world of everyone has a computer and everyone thinks they own a studio, I needed the real McCoy the big gun. Boy was I surprised at the quality this mic actually brings. All these haters of the supposed old school greatest are mainly just jealous.. There is a reason this mic is held in such high thoughts for so long, it is excellent, it is smooth, it brings out the details other mics barely touch, & it is studio bling. LOL. I love it, my Rode K2s while still awesome have takin a backseat finally, where I still say they are better than most of the other more expensive mics, the U87 does blow them away in many many ways. I mainly stick with Neumann and seinheiser now..

Yes, it is everything they say it is.

This is a very accurate mic, has nice character and mixes with little effort.
It has no magical power that will make you sing better, but will make good singing sound great

I am a singer/guitarist primarily, and a producer secondly... I have recorded my own vocals in my ever growing home studio for 10 years... Before using this mic I was using a $600 tube microphone (K2) which sounded really really good to my ears (at least for the price) but I always felt like it lacked something, some gloss and CLARITY... Finally I decided to buy this microphone and the Focusrite ISA 430 as a preamp. I was afraid before, as it has bad reviews in some sites BUT DONT LISTEN TO THEM! , this microphone was the best investment ever made so far. CLEAR, SMOOTH ON THE HIGHS, and with CHARACTER... I also like the fact that it sounds so modern and stacks incredible with multiple tracks. Even my girlfriend said WOW the first time she listened to it. I learned that microphones are this expensive for something. Do yourself a favor and buy it, really!

I had a cheaper mic that was still a very good mic around the $500 range. There is no comparison. This mic sounds just perfect. It doesn't pick up back ground noises like other mics, it's like it has it's own built in noise gate. Every other mic I've ever used sound too hissy on the high ends. This mic has such a perfect EQ spectrum. Through an SSL channel strip it just sounds unbelievable! I've always wanted this mic but price wise couldn't pull the trigger. I finally did and you certainly get what you pay for! - Thanks Paul Allen for your continued support !

I was concerned by some negative reviews for the U87ai and some reviews that stated that a lower priced mic can do the job. I now see clearly and hear clearly with this fantastic mic. I'm using a pair to record my 1980 Baldwin Concert D Piano and it's better than I could have imagined. It's just perfect and I'm so happy with my purchase. If you can afford it, buy it!

This is a monster. Many people criticize this microphone unfairly. When I started recording, I had to use the budget microphones. I used to complain about this mic and how I could get just as good of a sound with cheaper gear. I WAS WRONG!!!

It wasn't until I owned a U87 that I realized how amazing this mic actually is. It is the standard for pro-vocals for a reason. It sounds great; it is durable; and it is easy to use.

Is it always the best option? No... Other great high end mics are awesome too, but is it always awesome? Yes! It always sounds great, and it takes EQ very well. Achieving a pro vocal sound is easy with this mic. All you have to do is record the lead vocals in cardioid (6 to 8 inches from the capsule with a pop filter) and add 1.5 to 3db (depending on the vocalist) of highs in your EQ, and the vocals slide perfectly into a mix.

I have worked with an AKG C12 and a variety of other high end mics that sound wonderful too. However, the U87 is the easiest to record. You can get great results in the least amount of time. The mic is professional! It is worth every penny. Don't waste your money on a TLM 103, TLM 67 or an M147. Go with this mic! It will allow you to compete with the pros instantly.

Incredible....I always thought that one way or another, all condenser microphones were similar (high price at least), but it took a test, a recording and it is definitely the best microphone you may have, definitely the standard in the warmth and clarity of the voices that a record ...... its price is high, but see it as an investment, which ultimately pays for itself

I record my Bass, Acoustic guitars, Vocals and Room with this mic. It's my favorite mic, and I can't imagine running my studio without the U87Ai!

I've recorded in many studios as an emcee (few speak for us on here. Lots of singers) and we always hear about pairing up this mic with the Avalon 737sp mic pre, but let's be real: most of us are not in a position to get within a city block of one of these expensive units. Well, I did a mixtape recently, with a collection of songs I did on 4 different set ups. Some professional top quality, others not so much. Lo and behold, the last place I went was an apt. in studio city that didn't have air conditioning, but for some reason this guy had the neumann and the avalon! I did two songs in there, and I must say: despite the lack of virtually everything else (we used a laptop, there was no vocal booth, the guy was not the best-trained engineer) my voice sounded 10 times better. In other words, if you have this mic and the avalon, your project studio can capture your RAP vocals as good as anyone anywhere using anything else.

Your only issue will be the highs can end up overbearing if you do not understand how to use EQ and Compression on the front end of the signal capture. It is also probably why your vocals end up sounding so crisp, tho.

So Idunno. I'm speaking for the artists who aren't full sail graduates. LOOK FOR THIS MIC. If the studio you are paying has this mic (or basically ANY Neumann), that's the first sign you are in the right place. I give this 5 stars because it's quality is so good, it's a beacon for a quality studio. To compare, if you have a so-so mic, you better have the world's best engineer to make it "work". A Neumann u87 Ai takes a lot of the luck out of getting an excellent recording.

Whenever I hear the word sound I think synonomously of the letters and numbers that make up Neumann U 87 ai .The Neumann U 87 ai creates sounds that are distinctivly indistinguishable from nature.It is impossible to tell what is the recording - and what is reality.A few such mics in the mike locker will set you back by a little and buy you a solid future as a solo artist or as a mayor recording studio.I can only recommend buying a U 87 ai ! It is the only choice.I had Tori Amos literally begging for to let her use an U 87 ai.It was humiliating to watch.

Everyone at Sweetwater is super nice and gets your items in perfect condition. Best source of equipment!

Ok so ive used a few mics over the last five years and the u87 has been my most recent purchase. I really wish it was my first or second mic. Not because it translates audio with perfection. its because ive used enough mics not to be impressed or blown away, but i understand why this mic is so popular. if you have a great natural singer this mic is perfect for them but its not going to fit every persons voice. there's no extras with this guy just perfect recordings. its hard to explain the sound from this mic besides saying what you put in is what you get out. which is perfect for some situations but too perfect for others.

I wouldn't say that I was "blown away" by the sound of this microphone. Be that as it may... It is an awesome piece of gear. A very accurate reproduction of the source sound. Isn't that the idea? There is a reason why it is the standard for serious studios.

i got this mic in the studio along with a handful of other mics under $1000 and i must say that this mic dont sound far from the other mics we have in the studio.it has a body sound to it but nothing worth $ in my opinion and nothing to get excited about,but its an ok mic and if u used a rode nt1A and mixed the song correctly u couldn't even tell a difference