Neumann U 87

The Neumann U 87 is the microphone you’ll find in front of the vocal booth in studio after studio. Introduced in 1967, it became the reference large-diaphragm condenser for vocals in professional rooms, rap sessions included.

History

Neumann designed the U 87 as a solid-state (FET) successor to its tube-powered U 67, with a similar large dual-diaphragm capsule. In 1986 Neumann updated it as the U 87 Ai, with higher output and lower self-noise, and that version is still in production.

The sound

The U 87 has a present, slightly forward upper midrange that helps a voice sit on top of a dense beat, and a full low end that rewards a rapper working close to the mic. Three polar patterns (omni, cardioid and figure-8), a 10 dB pad and a low-cut switch make it flexible enough for vocals, room sound and instruments.

In hip hop studios

Mic credits on rap records are rarely documented, so we only list a record here when there’s a source. What’s clear is that the U 87 was a fixture in the New York and Los Angeles studios where much classic hip hop was tracked. If you know a sourced U 87 credit, send it through the suggest-a-credit form on that album’s page.

Buying one today

The U 87 is one of the most counterfeited microphones in the world. Buy from a reputable seller, check the serial number with Neumann, and compare the grille, badge and internals against genuine photos. Test all three patterns and the pad, and listen for noise or crackle, which can mean the capsule needs service.