Its natural sound a… Neumann U87 was first released in 1967. The result is a studio microphone of unmatched clarity. Click here to login, The ability to reply to and create new discussions, Access to members-only giveaways & competitions, Interact with VIP industry experts in our guest Q&As, Access to members-only sub forum discussions, Get INSTANT ACCESS to the world's best private pro audio, Promote your eBay auctions and Reverb.com listings for free. As if that's not enough, AKG goes further to add a low-frequency roll-off to the mic. I was recently in a local studio that has a good bit of pedigree, and in their mic closet was Joly modded MXL's, and an unused 87 in the case at the bottom. There are no filter switches, no pads and surely no polar pattern switch. I guarantee you can find thousands of records that used this microphone during the tracking process. Guess what, there's more! It's fair to say that this is a pretty iconic microphone. Why is the Neumann U87 Such a Popular? Today, the U87 is some sort of "holy grail" of mics. This mic is versatile and can be used effectively for in different recording situations. Warm Audio WA-87 Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone Review. You’ll find the U87 in regular use for Top 40 music, including pop, rock, hip-hop, country, and everything in between. Obviously the high end could be eq’d out of the Neumann if that was the only mic … The 4047 really does the smokey, jazzy sound very well and is very nice on bass and even outside a bass drum, it has more bass reach than a U87 - but the U87 has that thick low mid and presence which just works on voice. The original U87 and the ai are very different... You need an account to post a reply. All of these mics can be "tuned" to sound like the U87 by adding various amount of filtering in the circuit. U87 is well-regarded as good all-rounder but some say that although it has its reputation and history, there are new microphones that are strong competitors even for less money. Since then it has cemented its place as a legendary microphone in the recording industry. or has the same features? Just a friendly reminder that political discussion, (including "offhand" and 'sideways' commenting) is, Looking for the best mic available thats similar to the Neuman U87, but $500 and under. The number one reason why you would want an alternative is the price. If i were you, look for a studio projects T3 mic used and drop in a nos ge 5 star 12ay7 tube. I too have had good luck getting in the U87 ballpark with the Studio Projects C1... whats the difference in the nt1a and nt2a?? The U 87 Ai is the standard microphone for speech and vocals. The mid-range is not bad for an average mic, but it could do with a little more warmth and body to the sound. None of them have the U87 circuit and will sound different than the Neumann. Which do you thing sounds the closest, say in the sub $500 range? Today, the U87 is some sort of "holy grail" of mics. When a mic is very sensitive, it's usually seen as a plus, but in some cases, it can be counterproductive. This also means that when your recording room is less than ideal, the U87 will pick up reflections, which some other mics would not pick. That is not a price tag that is within many people's budget. This is where it's a little different from the U87; when cutting through the mix. Im confused now...just when i thought i made a decision now ur saying the c1 is better. The wa87 also handles loud sources quite impressively, even with the 10db pad disabled. Like TLM103, Peluso P87 costs about half the price of the U87, but unlike the TLM, it has a lot more in common with the U87. The U87 is the classic microphone line, and the U87 AI is just one more mic in a long legacy of great mics. Since then it has cemented its place as a legendary microphone in the recording industry. Unlike the U87, you may not be able to use this mic for many different recording scenarios. If you're recording a vocalist whose voice has a "bright" natural mix, you should be careful, so you don't get harsh vocal. Since 1967, the Neumann U87 has been one of the most popular vocal microphones available. All of these mics can be "tuned" to sound like the U87 by adding various amount of filtering in the circuit. If your studio falls in this category, you may have to go for a less sensitive mic. Neumann U87 costs over $2000. While a successor to the U87, the large diaphragm U87 AI is a fantastic mic all on its own. thx in advance. At over $3,000 when purchased new, this classic microphone … The 5 Best Drum Recording Interface [2020 Reviews Buying Guide], The 5 Best Bass Drum Microphones [Reviews 2020], 6 Best XLR Cables for Mics and Gear [Buyer’s Guide], 10 Best Headset Microphones for Singing [Out of 24 Tested], The Best Overhead Drum Mics on the Market [Reviews 2020]. The AT4047 is a nice mic, transformer coupled, a little more $, but I would not be too solid in price, some times a little more $ can make big difference IMHO.. Have you tried the TLM 102 or 103? If anyone made a condenser microphone today, and you wanted to brag about its quality, you would be asked: " … The AKG C414 was launched in 1971, and since then has carved a special place for itself among recording microphones. Bass buildup when the subject is very close. If anyone made a condenser microphone today, and you wanted to brag about its quality, you would be asked: " but is it as good as the U87?" Also, you can select one of three polar patterns; cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-8. Put them side by side and record and you won't hear that much difference in the two. I'm not talking about sibilance, but the overall tonal color of the high end was not real smooth. Neumann U87 was first released in 1967. You can choose among the cardioid, super-cardioid, hyper-cardioid, figure-8, and omnidirectional patterns. You can choose the 0db, 6db, 12db, or 18db pad. Peluso managed to make this mic look like the U87 without looking like a knock down copy. The technical demands of producing such mics generally make them pretty expensive. Just by looking at the P87, you see the resemblance with the U87. Three polar patterns plus pad and low cut options make it adaptable to a wide range of applications. The Advanced Audio CM-12 is a tube mic styled like a C12 and the AT 4047 is styled a bit like a fet 47, so perhaps the Advanced Audio cm-87 might be closer to your tastes? It has an excellent mid-range response, with audible presence boost.