If You’re Going to Buy a Neumann U 87 Ai, Get the Studio Set!

It is no exaggeration to say that the NEUMANN U 87 Ai is synonymous with the industry standard full-scale recording microphones. This article briefly introduces the U 87 Ai STUDIO SET, a product that includes the U 87 Ai and the suspension EA 87, as well as the U 87 Ai. In addition, I’m going to talk about the campaign where Sound House is giving away a limited number of units.

U 87 Ai STUDIO SET Campaign with diaphragm cleaning ticket is now available

Sound House announced a campaign regarding the U 87 Ai STUDIO SET on June 24, 2022. This campaign is limited to 100 sets only, and a diaphragm cleaning ticket will be included with the purchase of the U 87 Ai STUDIO SET.

＜Service card included in the campaign＞

Many of you may not know about diaphragm cleaning, so let me explain further.

A microphone is a device that converts sound, which is air vibration, into an electrical signal, and the part that receives and converts air vibration is called a diaphragm. A condenser microphone is equipped with a diaphragm that uses the mechanism of an electric part called a condenser. When the very thin membrane in the condenser vibrates, its capacitance changes, and these changes are extracted as an electric signal. Because the diaphragm is thin, it is light and can respond finely to delicate sounds.

＜U 87 Ai diaphragm＞

Diaphragms are often contaminated by spit and dust in the air as they are used, and their performance deteriorates. Inexpensive microphones often cannot be cleaned to improve performance, but since the U 87 Ai is for professional use, the manufacturer offers diaphragm cleaning services. Regular diaphragm cleaning is essential to the longevity of the U 87 Ai.

The ticket included in the campaign offers one free diaphragm cleaning, which normally costs 24,000 yen (tax not included), so if you are considering purchasing the U 87 Ai, do so during the campaign period.

STUDIO SET Contents - Essential EA 87 Suspension

＜U 87 Ai STUDIO SET＞

Let me introduce the contents of the U 87 Ai STUDIO SET.

First of all, the U 87 Ai microphone is included. The U 87 Ai STUDIO SET also includes the EA 87 suspension and a special wooden box. Note that the wooden box cannot be stored as a set, only the U 87 Ai can be stored in it.

The EA 87 suspension consists of an inner frame that holds the microphone and an outer frame that holds it to the microphone stand, which are connected by a rubber band that makes the microphone seem to float in the air. Vibration noise transmitted from the floor through the microphone stand is unexpectedly loud, and the use of suspensions can considerably reduce noise caused by vibration. It can also reduce noise if you accidentally touch the mic stand during recording. This has saved me several times.

＜Suspension EA 87＞

The low-cut switch on the U 87 Ai can also cut bass noise, but the noise coming through the microphone stand is a bit more distinct, so it may not be cut by the low-cut switch. It is best to use the low-cut switch and suspension in combination.

In other words, if you are going to purchase the U 87 Ai, you should also purchase the suspension. The STUDIO SET, which includes these two products, is a logical set of accessories.

The U 87 Ai is still a classic

The U 87 Ai condenser microphone included in the U 87 Ai STUDIO SET is a microphone that needs no introduction, but here I would like to consider again its features and why it is so beloved.

The predecessor of the U 87 Ai, the U 87 i, and the U 87 is said to be the U 67, which was released in 1960. After the success of the U 67, a tube microphone, the U 87 was released in 1967. Although many microphones have been created and released in the recording world, one of the reasons why they are still loved is because of their sound.

In recent years, there are many so-called “good sounding microphones” other than the U 87 Ai. Many of them have a strong character and are positioned as the mic to use if you want a certain sound. If you have a clear idea of the sound you want to record, the number of choices has clearly increased compared to the past.

However, even today, it is rare to find a microphone like the U 87 Ai that can record anything with a satisfying and usable sound.

It is safe to record with the U 87 Ai.

This sense of security is something that no other microphone can replace. There are microphones that sound similar to the U 87 Ai when you listen to them, but the quality of the U 87 Ai becomes apparent when you proceed with sound creation. Whether you use plug-ins to create the sound or edit it, the U 87 Ai's precise sound remains until the very end. Recording is recording, so even if you regret it later, you cannot go back to the place and time of the recording. Therefore, getting the peace of mind that recording with the U 87 Ai will be safe is the best selling point of the U 87 Ai.

Although often used for vocals and piano, the U 87 Ai is also an excellent microphone for other applications.

＜One of the reasons why it is a classic is that it is highly versatile＞

Take, for example, a drum top. The body is equipped with a -10dB PAD (switch for withstanding high volume), and when the PAD is turned on, it can withstand a sound pressure up to 127dB. This may be tough for rock drums at close range, but at the top, you can take advantage of its subtlety to cleanly capture the sound of cymbals and snare drums.

The U 87 Ai can be used not only on-mic but also off-mic to take advantage of the U 87 Ai's excellent midrange, which I feel is delicate and precise yet soft and pleasant to the ear. The directionality is also switchable, which gives you the option of omni-directionality.

It is also worth mentioning that the U 87 Ai's low noise level is noteworthy, but I believe its true value is more pronounced with off-mic use than with on-mic use. While an inexpensive microphone may be fine for on-mic use, this is not the case with off-mic use. The U 87 Ai can be used off-mic without any concerns.

Now that I have introduced the U 87 Ai and the U 87 Ai STUDIO SET, what do you think? If you are on a budget and have a hard time deciding which microphone to buy, the U 87 Ai is a good choice. Microphones can be hit or miss, for better or worse, and there is always compatibility, but the U 87 Ai can be used with just about anything. It is a very simple feature, but I don’t know of another mic that has this same feature.

If you are planning to buy a microphone set, why not try STUDIO SET and purchase during the campaign?

Neumann “U87Ai” Diaphragm Cleaning Service Card Included Campaign

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