NeumannU 87 Ai Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone - Nickel

Industry standard microphone for a reason. Yes, it's *really* expensive. Yes, it's a also just a little bit better. What mic to pick depends on who is singing and what kind of tone you want out of their voice. The Neumann U87 might not be the exact sound everyone is looking for but it's a standard for a reason. You may or may not like a different mic for a specific application but there is nothing you can fault the U87 for. If I had to pick just one mic from my collection, this would be it.

I bought a Neumann and recieved chinese mic just like it but without the logo.A phony one! I was robbed!!!

When I owned I.N.S. Recording in New York City this was our main vocal mic. That was from 1981 to 1993. At that time if you did not own this mic you would not be considered a professional studio. We had platinum albums that were recorded using this mic. That said, while this is a very accurate mic, I would not choose this to record vocals or acoustic instruments today. Indeed, I would choose an M Audio Sputnik over this, which has a more modern and flattering sound and is a fraction of the cost. For this kind of money the sound should be magic and it is not.

Great mic and pure sound.

Can you use a clone and get good results? Sure. Will you get the same high end sparkle and mojo you get with a REAL NEUMAN U87 AI, ABSOLUTELY NOT! Let's be honest, anyone that doesn't understand WHY one should pay this amount for a real Neuman, is not musically experienced enough to know the difference from a dime a dozen harsh Chinese Mic, and what this microphone has to offer. There is a reason it is trusted in any serious studio.It will sound GREAT on MOST voices. It sounds incredible in the mix. Hands down, a studio favorite.Don't be fooled by the haters who wish they had a real U87 AI. It's a shame that people can leave reviews here that have never even HEARD the mic or understand the art of professional audio engineering.I tried every clone in the book trying to convince myself they would be close enough to a real U87 AI. They aren't close.Pareto principle in full effect. You can pay 20% the cost of the U87 for a clone, and get 80% of the sound quality of a U87 AI. But you truly must pay the extra 80% to get that last finishing touch Grammy Record last 20% magic that ONLY a REAL Neuman U87 AI will give you.It brings out all the nuances in my voice and truly gives me more confidence as a singer. It captures unique qualities in my voice that no other mic is able to capture. Pair it with a Vintech X73i for a little extra grit and character. Or you can dial it into a Great River MP-500NV for the best of both worlds, but providing a tad more smooth buttery softness. Ad an API 512C, and you'll enjoy a nice punchy, aggressive quality to this mic. Sure, these pre-amps are great, but the point is this microphone ROCKS and I don't have to wonder anymore. I own it, and it performs incredibly. End of story. Buy this microphone if you can afford it, or heck...maybe even if you can't afford. You won't be sorry. There is a reason these mics retain their value.You get what you pay for.Enjoy!In Summary. Yes. It's all that.

I've been playing music and recording for over 30 years......I ran a test between the high dollar U87 and some very inexpensive mics from CAD / MXL and Audio Technica and there was next to no difference. There is a huge markup on this Mic and it is mainly from past nostalgia. Since then many of the same parts are used in a variety of Mics. I used a very inexpensive Audio Techica through an Alesis Firewire Mixer as a preamp and had excellent results. The Mic cost about 65.00 with a frequency response of 20 to 20khz which is completely in the human hearing range......I guess we can thank Mass production and the fact that many of these mics are made in China. Quality control is good, but to spend 3,000 and above for a condensor microphone these days is a waste of money period.