Neumann U 87 Ai: The Industry Standard for World-class Sound

[@sweetwater]

How would you use a Neumann U 87 Ai condenser mic in your studio? Sound off in the comments, and be sure to swing by Sweetwater to snag one for yourself 👉 sweetwater.sjv.io/NeumannU87Ai

[@DanielSilva-te1ww]

I’ve been saving for this mic, almost that time!

[@ItzrealMusic]

got one yet ?

[@dassolosyndikat5113]

You can lend one it's much cheaper. You don't have to spend all that money you won't use it all the time. Lending this mic for a month costs around 60.00.

[@officialdiomer]

where?@@dassolosyndikat5113

[@bigmacmillerlite8775]

Mitch you really do the best gear reviews bud. Good job.

[@Rgdonaire_07]

Love my U87ai. I have not had the luxury to use U47, U67 or Soyuz 017, but I know I can get amazing recordings with my U87ai. It’s very neutral sounding and highs and lows are smooth, so you can shape it anyway you like during mixing and it will sound amazing. The multiple patterns makes this a total workhorse too.

[@waves7300]

Exactly

[@HarvinderSingh-yy8th]

U87 vintage is better than U87ai.

[@Rgdonaire_07]

@@HarvinderSingh-yy8ththey sound different. Better is a subjective, and the vintage ones are at least 2k more expensive, not worth it in my opinion. You can eq the ai all you want and it will still sound natural.

[@CenterThePendulum]

I’ve demo’d all, and the 017FET Soyuz is the best on my raspy baritone voice (think a cross between Mark Lanegan and Gavin Rossdale). Detailed mids/lows with an open top end, it’s really perfect for me

[@tonischjelderup8708]

I just ordered this one, now my dream came true!

[@joshgarcia336]

I have both u87 and ref c.......the u87 records a fuller sound in the low mids and the ref c records more hifi sound....both record well and couldn't live without the two...next goal is the c800g

[@djcarlo]

Looks amazing!

[@matchmediafilms]

Great review , thanks Mitch!

[@ronaldcoleman9370]

Yeah, if I had the extra money, I would definitely pick one or two of these up!!!

[@dassolosyndikat5113]

You cand lend mics.

[@EmekaNoble]

Why not buy 4 since your so rich lol

[@ISLANDVISUALS309]

I love my u87 ai

[@thaexception3406]

Informative

[@Kelly-wx9ry]

Good enough for the BeeGees, good enough for me.

[@cristian-marius-albu]

I just compared on Audio Test Kitchen the frequecy response measurements for both Gefell M930 and Neumann U87ai. The Gefell is slightly better compared to Neumann and cost half the price. Of course you get just cardioid pattern and no other features but the sound is smooth like butter.

[@rizzyinstrumentals]

Mitch is a G 🎉

[@drdelewded]

Should have stated the OG 87 didn't NEED those batterys if you had Phantom. Weve never used batteries with the pair we have at our studio.

[@wadewilliams1892]

Mitch

[@grandclubproductions]

Great video! Thank you! May I ask you if it is okay to leave the mic connected to the interface with xlr all the time? Or is it worth disconnecting it and putting in the box after the vocals session?

[@sweetwater]

Hello, great question! While there is generally no inherent issue with leaving the mic plugged into the interface, you will just want to be careful that your monitors are not turned too far up when engaging the phantom power (or powering up the interface) as the audible “pop” when that causes can damage them. Jason Filloramo, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1281, [e-mail]

[@grandclubproductions]

@@sweetwater Thank you so much for your reply! Makes perfect sense!

[@HarvinderSingh-yy8th]

I thimk GTZ U 87 is best budget cm for beginners.

[@gori_maheswari8994]

Giveaway result kb ayega

[@andreasoberg2021]

How would you set this up to record a piano? I guess you would need two of them. I have a few Schoeps cardoid microphones, how would these compare to them for piano?

[@sweetwater]

Hello, great question! Yes it would be ideal to use a stereo pair to record a piano, although if you only had one you could experiment with omni and figure 8 patterns and placement. Small diaphragm mics like the Schoeps will typically be more transparent than large diaphragm condensers like the U87, which will impart some character to the signal. Which is better for you really depends on the context of the recording and the room. Thanks! Jason Filloramo, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1281, [e-mail]

[@FromTheHipp]

i never liked how i sounded on the U87. i prefer telefunkens and i prefer the u47s.

[@HarvinderSingh-yy8th]

Old U87 vintage sounds much better.

[@tuneunleashed]

The most overrated microphone in history!

[@waves7300]

I disagree. This thing has so much body and a balanced top end

[@prod.xo.]

It’s a good mic just need to EQ it

[@Man-of-Steel674]

​@@waves7300Soyuz mics are better

[@waves7300]

@@Man-of-Steel674 send me one

[@emuhunter1]

@@Man-of-Steel674Soyuz are great too, but I don’t think better is the word I’d use (at least not objectively). They all sound awesome (including the U87).

[@Студийныймикрофон-в7х]

Neumann U 87 - я сливаю в унитаз))).

[@darrylweller6143]

tried it once and was very underwhelming. Soyuz 017 better

[@officialdiomer]

tube or FET?

[@darrylweller6143]

@@officialdiomer fet

[@waves7300]

BS

[@terrydrums]

If I owned this mic, I would use it to mic bagpipes. I’m just kidding. I would never…be able to own this mic. 🫤