NEUMANN U 87 Ai Studio Set
MRP - Rs. 3,49,900
NEUMANN U 87 Ai Studio Set: U 87 Ai studio condenser microphone with EA 87 elastic suspension in a wooden box, nickel or matte black. Available in India from Shivansh Electronics, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
VISUAL GUIDE — See Every Photo, Spec & Setup Step (PDF)
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Acoustics
| Acoustical operating principle | Pressure gradient transducer |
| Directional pattern | Omnidirectional, cardioid, figure‑8 |
| Frequency range | 20 Hz - 20 kHz |
| Sensitivity at 1 kHz into 1 kΩ (omni / cardioid / figure‑8) | 20 / 28 / 22 mV/Pa ± 1 dB |
| Equivalent noise level, CCIR (omni / cardioid / figure‑8) | 26 / 23 / 25 dB |
| Equivalent noise level, A‑weighted (omni / cardioid / figure‑8) | 15 / 12 / 14 dB‑A |
| Signal‑to‑noise ratio, CCIR, re. 94 dB SPL (omni / cardioid / figure‑8) | 68 / 71 / 69 dB |
| Signal‑to‑noise ratio, A‑weighted, re. 94 dB SPL (omni / cardioid / figure‑8) | 79 / 82 / 80 dB |
| Maximum SPL for THD 0.5 % (cardioid) | 117 dB |
| Maximum SPL for THD 0.5 % with pre‑attenuation | 127 dB |
Electrical
| Rated impedance | 200 Ω |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 Ω |
| Maximum output voltage | -6 dBu |
| Supply voltage (P48, IEC 61938) | 48 V ± 4 V |
| Current consumption (P48, IEC 61938) | 0.8 mA |
| Output | Transformer‑balanced; pin 1 ground, pin 2 +, pin 3 - |
| Switches | Polar pattern; pre‑attenuation -10 dB; low cut |
Mechanical and environment
| Matching connector | XLR 3 F |
| Weight | 500 g |
| Diameter | 56 mm |
| Length | 200 mm |
| Finishes | Nickel; matte black (mt) |
| Operating temperature range | 0 °C to +70 °C |
| Storage temperature range | -20 °C to +70 °C |
| Humidity range | Max. 90 % at +20 °C |
Notes
| Noise and S/N | According to IEC 60268‑1; CCIR weighting according to CCIR 468‑3, quasi peak; A‑weighting according to IEC 61672‑1, RMS |
| Maximum SPL | THD of the microphone amplifier at an input voltage equivalent to the capsule output at the specified SPL |
Product overview
The NEUMANN U 87 Ai Studio Set combines the U 87 Ai large-diaphragm studio condenser microphone with its EA 87 elastic suspension in the EA 87 Ai wooden box: the world's best-known studio microphone, ready for the stand.
The U 87 Ai has shaped the sound of countless records since 1967 and is the standard microphone for speech and vocals. Three polar patterns, pad and low cut make it adaptable to a wide range of applications, and the EA 87 elastic suspension, designed for the U 87 Ai, keeps structure-borne noise and mechanical shocks away from the microphone. The set is available in nickel and in matte black (U 87 Ai mt Studio Set with EA 87 mt).
| Microphone with elastic suspension | U 87 Ai + EA 87 |
| Polar patterns: omni, cardioid, figure‑8 | 3 |
| Self‑noise (cardioid) | 12 dB‑A |
| Max. SPL with pre‑attenuation | 127 dB |
Key features
- The world's most famous studio microphone, introduced in 1967
- Classic sound, instantly recognisable yet versatile, with a balanced frequency response
- Three polar patterns: omni, cardioid, figure-8
- Switchable low cut and pad: -10 dB pre-attenuation for up to 127 dB SPL
- Very low self-noise: 12 dB-A in cardioid
- Dual-diaphragm capsule design of the U 67, FET circuit with transformer-balanced output
- XLR 3 output, 48 V phantom powering (P48, 0.8 mA)
- Set with the EA 87 elastic suspension (5/8"-27 swivel mount, adapter for 1/2" and 3/8") in the EA 87 Ai wooden box
Classic Neumann engineering
The U 87 Ai uses the same dual-diaphragm condenser capsule design as its predecessor, the legendary U 67 of the early 1960s. Its head amplifier is based on the same design principles as its tube-driven predecessor, but realises them with a unique FET circuit with a minimal signal path and a transformer-balanced output, ensuring maximum signal integrity and high common mode rejection. The result is a studio microphone of unmatched clarity.
Three patterns, pad and low cut
Omni, cardioid or figure-8 are selected with a slider switch on the front, shown by symbols in a window above it. A second switch on the rear introduces a pre-attenuation of about 10 dB, so the microphone handles up to 127 dB SPL without distortion. The low-cut switch compensates the proximity effect: the response is uniform in cardioid at 30 to 40 cm and in figure-8 at 15 to 20 cm talking distance.
Applications
Its natural sound and unique midrange presence make the U 87 Ai the ultimate vocal microphone and the prime choice for speech: voice-over, dubbing and audio books. Thanks to its balanced response in each pattern it is a versatile microphone for anything from acoustic guitar to drum overheads; its solid bass and excellent midrange detail suit bass and guitar cabinets; in classical recordings it is a frequent spot microphone for soloists such as cello, and a stereo pair is the preferred choice of many engineers for piano in any genre.
In the box
- U 87 Ai microphone (U 87 Ai mt in the matte black set)
- EA 87 elastic suspension (EA 87 mt in the matte black set)
- EA 87 Ai wooden box
- Cardboard box packaging
Available versions
- U 87 Ai mt Studio Set: matte black, Cat. No. 008661
- U 87 Ai Studio Set: nickel, Cat. No. 008660
NEUMANN U 87 Ai Studio Set: frequently asked questions
Which polar patterns does the U 87 Ai Studio Set offer?
Omni, cardioid and figure-8, selected with a slider switch on the front of the microphone; a window above it shows the setting.
Does the U 87 Ai need phantom power?
Yes: 48 V phantom power (P48, IEC 61938), 48 V ± 4 V, 0.8 mA. Any P48 supply that provides at least 0.8 mA per channel is suitable.
What do the pad and low-cut switches do?
The pad reduces the sensitivity by about 10 dB so the microphone handles up to 127 dB SPL. The low cut attenuates low-frequency noise and compensates the proximity effect at close distances.
What does the U 87 Ai Studio Set contain?
The U 87 Ai microphone, the EA 87 elastic suspension and the EA 87 Ai wooden box, packed in a cardboard box (U 87 Ai mt and EA 87 mt in the matte black set).
Where can I buy the NEUMANN U 87 Ai Studio Set in India?
The NEUMANN U 87 Ai Studio Set is available from Shivansh Electronics, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, with delivery across India.
Workflow 1: Lead vocals
Singers, producers and studios recording vocals.
Connections
| Connect | To |
|---|---|
| U 87 Ai in an EA 87 elastic suspension | Microphone stand |
| XLR 3 microphone cable | Microphone preamp or audio interface input (P48) |
| Pop screen (PS 15 / PS 20 a) | Between singer and microphone |
Setup
- Fit the U 87 Ai in the elastic suspension and connect a balanced XLR cable.
- Switch on 48 V phantom power.
- Select cardioid and face the front (Neumann logo) to the singer, with a pop screen in between.
- Set the gain on the loudest passage and record.
Tip: Use the low cut if the singer works very close to the microphone.
Workflow 2: Voice-over, dubbing and audio books
Speakers and narrators in voice booths and broadcast studios.
Connections
| Connect | To |
|---|---|
| U 87 Ai | Mixer or interface microphone input (P48) |
| Elastic suspension | Desk or floor stand |
Setup
- Select cardioid.
- Position the speaker 30 to 40 cm in front of the logo side and switch in the low cut for an even response.
- Check the level with normal speech.
- Record.
Tip: Test with normal speech, never by blowing into the microphone.
Workflow 3: Acoustic guitar and solo instruments
Recording acoustic instruments in the studio.
Connections
| Connect | To |
|---|---|
| U 87 Ai | Preamp input (P48) |
Setup
- Select cardioid for a focused sound or omni to include more room.
- Place the microphone in front of the instrument.
- Move it until body and detail are balanced.
- Record and compare takes.
Tip: The response stays balanced in each of the three patterns.
Workflow 4: Bass and guitar cabinets
Engineers miking amplifiers close up.
Connections
| Connect | To |
|---|---|
| U 87 Ai | Preamp or mixer input (P48) |
Setup
- Switch in the -10 dB pad.
- Place the microphone in front of the speaker.
- Set the gain so the input does not clip.
- Record.
Tip: With the pad the U 87 Ai handles up to 127 dB SPL.
Workflow 5: Drum overheads and room sound
Drum recording in studios.
Connections
| Connect | To |
|---|---|
| U 87 Ai (one or two) | Preamp inputs (P48) |
| Swivel mount or suspension | Tall boom stands |
Setup
- Place the microphone(s) above the kit.
- Use cardioid for a direct sound or omni for more room.
- Switch in the pad if the cymbals are loud.
- Check the balance of the kit and record.
Tip: Use the low cut against stand rumble.
Workflow 6: Piano and classical soloists
Classical, jazz and pop engineers.
Connections
| Connect | To |
|---|---|
| Two U 87 Ai as a stereo pair | Two preamp inputs (P48) |
| Stereo bar or two stands | In front of or above the piano |
Setup
- Set up two U 87 Ai as a stereo pair at the piano, or one as a spot microphone for a soloist such as cello.
- Choose the pattern for the stereo technique.
- Match the gain of both channels.
- Record.
Tip: A stereo pair of U 87 Ai is the preferred choice of many engineers for piano.
