Neumann U87 Studio Condenser Microphone (VINTAGE)

Description: "The U 87 Ai condenser microphone is an fet 80 series studio microphone with three switchable directional patterns. Outstanding performance and an attractive shape. The U 87 Ai is equally well suited for applications in the radio and television broadcasting, firms and phonograph record production.

The supplementary letter A in the name indicates a modified version of the U 87 i microphone supplied since 1967.

The modification applies only to the electrical part of the microphone. It

makes the U 87 Ai safer to operate by reason of a lower-impedance supply lead for the capsule polarizing voltages; it increases the transmission factor by about 10 dB for the same sound pressure level; and it improves the S/N ratio by 3 dB. In place of the battery holder of the U87 i, the U87 Ai has a dc converter, which increases the current consumption to 0.8 mA.

The acoustic characteristics and the eternal form of the microphone remain unaltered: It's large grille houses and elasticity suspend dualmembrane capsule. The axis of maximum sensitivity is at right angles to the microphone body. It's front is marked by the Neumann emblem. Below the grille are three switches. These enable the directional characteristic, low frequency response and attenuation factor to be changed for different requirements.

The directional characteristics "omni", "cardioid" or "figure-8" are set with a slider switch on the front of the microphone. A window above the switch shows the setting by symbols. In the "cardioid" and "figure-8" positions the frequency response of the transmission factor is practically linear for perpendicular sound incidence, even in the upper radio frequency range. The microphone is thus particularly suitable for use at short distances from the sound source without and unnaturally sharp sound impression.

A second slider switch located on the rear of the microphone introduces a pre-attenuation of about 10dB in the circuit.

The microphone will handle sound pressure levels of up to 127 dB (corresponding to a sound pressure of 45 Pa) without distortion.

To combat structure born or wind noise, an electrical high-pass filter in the U 87 Ai clips sub-audio frequencies.

Operating the third switch makes the high pass filter sign visible in its corresponding cutout window and introduces a low frequency roll-off. Low frequency interfering noises are thus attenuated at the input of the microphone amplifier. The unavoidable emphasis on bass notes which occurs in all pressure-gradient microphones during close talking ( proximity effect) is compensated to such an extent that a uniform frequency response is produced in the "cardioid" position for a talking distance of 30-40 cm and the "figure-8" position for a distance of 15-20 cm.

The microphone is largely immune to parasitic alternating currents in the cable shield, ac-included hum and interference caused by radio and tv transmitters and radar equipment due to filtering in its output line and specially constructed output transformer with high common mode rejection and a static shield winding."

Specifications: -

Neumann U87 AI Specifications:

U87 Brochures, Operating Instructions,
and Additional Information from Neumann.com

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