Neumann U 87

The {{nowrap|U 87}} has a large 25.4 mm diaphragm, and can operate with any one of three selectable polar patterns: cardioid, omnidirectional, or figure-8.

File:Neumann_U87_microphone_20050905.jpg

Introduced in 1967 as the solid-state successor to the {{nowrap|U 67}},{{cite web|title=1967 Neumann U87|url=https://www.mixonline.com/technology/1967-neumann-u87-383659|website=MIX|publisher=Future plc|date=1 September 2006|access-date=17 January 2024}}{{cite web|last=Inglis|first=Sam|title=Warm Audio WA-87|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/warm-audio-wa-87|website=Sound On Sound|publisher=SOS Publications Group|date=December 2017|access-date=15 January 2024}} Neumann introduced the {{nowrap|U 87}} alongside the {{nowrap|KM 86}}, {{nowrap|KM 84}}, and {{nowrap|KM 83}} as part of the company's first 'FET 80' series of microphones that utilized use solid-state FET electronics that didn't require separate power supplies or multi-pin power cables and allowed the mics to be made smaller.{{cite web|last=Robjohns|first=Hugh|title=Peluso P-87|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/peluso-p-87|website=Sound On Sound|publisher=SOS Publications Group|date=May 2016|access-date=15 January 2024}} The {{nowrap|U 87}} could be powered either by the newly introduced standard of a 48V phantom power supply or two internal 22.5 volt batteries.

The original {{nowrap|U 87}} used a modified version of the '{{nowrap|K 67}}' capsule - the '{{nowrap|K 87}}'. From 1968 to 1974, Neumann also offered the {{nowrap|U 77}}, which worked with AB / Tonader powering (rather than 48V phantom power) or internal 9V battery, and used the same '{{nowrap|K 67}}' capsule used by the {{nowrap|U 67}}.

In 1986, Neumann introduced the {{nowrap|U 87A}}, which no longer required two 22.5V batteries, and was able to use the same {{nowrap|K 67}} capsule as the {{nowrap|U 67}}. A version with XLR connector is appended with a lowercase i, i.e. {{nowrap|U 87Ai}}. The updated version had -3 dB lower self-noise, 5-8 mV/Pa higher sensitivity, and 5 dB lower maximum SPL capability.

File:Balsom recording at Abbey Road, London 2013.jpg with a U 87 at Abbey Road Studios (2013)]]

The {{nowrap|U 87}} is more often used for vocals, and has been used in the recording of such notable songs as Neil Young's Heart of Gold,{{cite web|last=Mazer|first=Elliot|title=Classic Tracks: Neil Young's "Heart of Gold"|url=https://www.mixonline.com/recording/classic-tracks-neil-youngs-heart-gold-372802|website=MIX|publisher=Future plc|date=17 November 2023|access-date=24 January 2024}} Culture Club's "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me",{{cite web|last=Moayeri|first=Lily|title=Classic Tracks: Culture Club's "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me"|url=https://www.mixonline.com/recording/classic-tracks-culture-clubs-do-you-really-want-to-hurt-me|website=MIX|publisher=Future plc|date=10 November 2023|access-date=24 January 2024}} Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville",{{cite web|last=Daley|first=Dan|title=Classic Tracks: Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville"|url=https://www.mixonline.com/recording/classic-tracks/classic-tracks-jimmy-buffetts-margaritaville-365160|website=MIX|publisher=Future plc|date=5 September 2023|access-date=24 January 2024}} Gary Wright's "Dream Weaver",{{cite web|last=Hurwitz|first=Matt|title=Classic Tracks: Gary Wright's "Dream Weaver"|url=https://www.mixonline.com/recording/classic-tracks/classic-tracks-gary-wrights-dream-weaver-366143|website=MIX|publisher=Future plc|date=5 September 2023|access-date=24 January 2024}} War's "Low Rider",{{cite web|last=Schultz|first=Barbara|title=Classic Tracks: War's "Low Rider"|url=https://www.mixonline.com/recording/classic-tracks/classic-tracks-wars-low-rider|website=MIX|publisher=Future plc|date=6 October 2023|access-date=24 January 2024}} Paul Davis' "I Go Crazy",{{cite web|last=Flans|first=Robyn|title=Classic Tracks: Paul Davis "I Go Crazy"|url=https://www.mixonline.com/recording/classic-tracks/classic-tracks-i-go-crazy|website=MIX|publisher=Future plc|date=28 October 2023|access-date=24 January 2024}} Soft Cell's "Tainted Love",{{cite web|last=Flans|first=Robyn|title=Classic Tracks: Soft Cell's "Tainted Love"|url=https://www.mixonline.com/recording/classic-tracks/classic-tracks-tainted-love|website=MIX|publisher=Future plc|date=21 November 2019|access-date=24 January 2024}} Aerosmith's "Walk This Way",{{cite web|last=Flans|first=Robyn|title=Classic Tracks: Aerosmith's "Walk This Way"|url=https://www.mixonline.com/recording/classic-tracks/classic-tracks-aerosmith-walk-way-429406|website=MIX|publisher=Future plc|date=21 March 2017|access-date=24 January 2024}} Grateful Dead's "Touch of Grey",{{cite web|last=Jackson|first=Blair|title=Classic Tracks: Grateful Dead, "Touch of Grey"|url=https://www.mixonline.com/recording/classic-tracks-grateful-dead-touch-grey-367547|website=MIX|publisher=Future plc|date=1 September 2012|access-date=24 January 2024}} Talking Heads' "Road to Nowhere",{{cite web|last=Jackson|first=Blair|title=Classic Tracks: Talking Heads' "Road to Nowhere"|url=https://www.mixonline.com/recording/classic-tracks/classic-tracks-talking-heads-road-nowhere-366112|website=MIX|publisher=Future plc|date=1 August 2009|access-date=24 January 2024}} Don McLean's "American Pie",{{cite web|last=Jackson|first=Blair|title=Classic Tracks: Don McLean's "American Pie"|url=https://www.mixonline.com/recording/classic-tracks-don-mcleans-american-pie-365486|website=MIX|publisher=Future plc|date=1 January 2005|access-date=24 January 2024}} The Doobie Brothers' "What A Fool Believes",{{cite web|last=Flans|first=Robyn|title=Classic Tracks: The Doobie Brothers' "What a Fool Believes"|url=https://www.mixonline.com/recording/classic-tracks-doobie-brothers-what-fool-believes-365411|website=MIX|publisher=Future plc|date=1 May 2004|access-date=24 January 2024}} Blondie's "The Tide Is High",{{cite web|last=Schultz|first=Barbara|title=Classic Tracks: Blondie's "The Tide Is High"|url=https://www.mixonline.com/recording/classic-tracks-blondies-tide-high-372829|website=MIX|publisher=Future plc|date=1 March 1999|access-date=24 January 2024}} and Frank Zappa's long-playing album "Lumpy Gravy".{{cite AV media notes |title=Civilization Phaze III |others=Frank Zappa |year=1994 |chapter=General notes |first=Frank |last=Zappa |author-link=Frank Zappa |publisher=Barking Pumpkin Records}}

It is also an effective microphone for broadcasters, and has been used by individuals and organizations such as Casey Kasem and NPR.{{cite web|last=Ragusea|first=Adam|title=A top audio engineer explains NPR’s signature sound|url=https://current.org/2015/06/a-top-audio-engineer-explains-nprs-signature-sound/?wallit_nosession=1|website=Current.org|date=5 June 2015|access-date=24 January 2024}}{{cite web|last=Young|first=Clive|title=Radio Legend Casey Kasem’s Mic Heads to Auction|url=https://www.mixonline.com/news/radio-casey-kasem-neumann-mic-heads-to-auction|website=MIX|publisher=Future plc|date=10 February 2022|access-date=24 January 2024}}

The {{nowrap|U 87}} is also popular for micing guitar{{cite web|last=Hurwitz|first=Matt|title=Classic Tracks: Supertramp's "Give a Little Bit"|url=https://www.mixonline.com/recording/classic-tracks-supertramp-give-a-little-bit|website=MIX|publisher=Future plc|date=3 April 2018|access-date=24 January 2024}} or instrument amps, or as an overhead microphone.

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.neumann.com/en-en/products/microphones/u-87-ai/ U 87 Ai Studio Set at Neumann.com]

U87

Category:Products introduced in 1967