U 87 Ai

Common name: Neumann U 87 Ai

Production Status: In production

The U 87 Ai is the evolution of the previous U 87 large diaphragm condenser microphone, manufactured by Georg Neumann GmbH from 1986. Both microphones belong to the “fet 80” series. The new version electronic is widely re-designed and the microphone uses the K 67 capsule, instead of the K 870 present in the U 87 microphone. The transducers have virtually the same electro-acoustical performances but the fixed electrodes of the two halves are electrically separated for the K 870 and joint in the K 67. This is because it was designed for the U 67 and its derived microphones. The 1960 K 67 was done in full brass while the U87A version uses some plastic parts (diaphragms rings). The U 87Ai uses a DC/DC converter originally engineered for the U 89 to achieve higher voltage capsule polarization compared to the first version. The increased capsule voltage combined with the new amplifier design result in a significantly improved microphone sensitivity. The cone shaped microphone body is unchanged and the microphone is indistinguishable from the previous versions. All the switches present on the previous U 67 and U 87 are still present, a three positions polar pattern switch, two switches for – 10 dB PAD and a low pass filter, located at the head grille assembly. The microphone is available in nickel or dark matt finish. As with the U 67 and U 87 microphones, the U 87 Ai is a reference standard for pro-audio industry and it is one of the most widely used large diaphragm professional microphone.

Read George Shilling’s article about the history, features, and uses of this historic mic.