Studio Microphone

U 87 Anniversary Set

For its 40th anniversary the U 87 was offered as a special set in a unique retro style case. The microphone, its shock mount, and the exclusive 60s style pop shield featured an attractive combination of polished and matte nickel surfaces.

  • Attractive combination of polished nickel parts with the traditional Neumann matte nickel
  • Fine and robust, unique retro-style case
  • Exclusively designed PS 87 pop screen
U 87 Anniversary Set
U 87 Anniversary Set

The U 87 40 Years Anniversary Set

This special edition, in a fine and robust, classic style case, is offered with unique product features. The set includes an exclusively designed pop screen. Its characteristic design is a reminiscence of the sixties, the early years of the U 87.  The entire set shows the stylish combination of polished nickel parts with the traditional Neumann matte nickel look. Microphone, elastic suspension and pop screen are instantly recognizable.

The set contains a dust cover embroidered with the anniversary logo, and a pair of white gloves for handling this valuable equipment. A signed and framed certificate of authenticity with individual serial number completes each original set.

The U 87 is equipped with a large dual-diaphragm capsule with three directional patterns: omnidirectional, cardioid and figure-8. These are selectable with a switch below the headgrille. A 10 dB attenuation switch is located on the rear. It enables the microphone to handle sound pressure levels up to 127 dB without distortion. Furthermore, the low frequency response can be reduced to compensate for proximity effect.

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 remained unchanged.

The present-day circuitry increases the operational headroom of the U 87 Ai by supplying 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
Diameter 56 mm
Weight 500 g
Current consumption (P48, IEC 61938) 0.8 mA
Directional Pattern Omni, cardioid, figure-8
Frequency Range 20 Hz ... 20 kHz
Matching connector XLR 3 F
Rated Impedance 50 Ohms
Supply voltage (P48, IEC 61938) 48 V ± 4 V
Length 200 mm
Maximum output voltage 390 mV
Rated load impedance 1000 Ohms
Equivalent noise level, CCIR 26/23/25 dB
Maximum SPL for THD 0.5% 117 dB (cardioid)
Equivalent noise level, A-weighted 15/12/14 dB-A
Sensitivity at 1 kHz into 1 kohm 20/28/22 mV/Pa
Maximum SPL for THD 0.5% with preattenuation 127 dB (cardioid)
Signal-to-noise ratio, CCIR (re. 94 dB SPL) 68/71/69 dB
Signal-to-noise ratio, A-weighted (re. 94 dB SPL) 79/82/80 dB
Signal-to-noise ratio, CCIR (re. 94 dB SPL) 68/71/69 dB

WHAT OTHERS SAY

Why I Use Neumann Microphones

Why I Use Neumann Microphones

Jon Regen & Neumann

Jon Regen & Neumann Make Beautiful Music Together in Tel Aviv

The bottom line

"The bottom line is that the TLM 103 is a phenomenal microphone. Five stars go to Neumann on this one... it's a keeper!"

WARNING (for California residents only): This product can expose you to chemicals including lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects and other reproductive harm. For more information go to: www.p65warnings.ca.gov.

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