Neumann U87

[Goldmond]

Has anyone used a Neumann U87 for audio? Indoor? Outdoor? They're the number one industry standard mic for recording vocals and have omnidirectional, cardioid and figure-8 polar patterns so I would think they would be great for getting audio for film or video but I don't want to assume.

 

[Steve House]

Has anyone used a Neumann U87 for audio? Indoor? Outdoor? They're the number one industry standard mic for recording vocals and have omnidirectional, cardioid and figure-8 polar patterns so I would think they would be great for getting audio for film or video but I don't want to assume.

Would depend on what you're recording. There's no question they're one of the world's great mics but they're physically large and very heavy to put out onto the end of a hand-held boom. Their optimum working distance is going to be relatively close which would make them hard to use for dramatic dialog or interviews. Their sound quality is superb but that's only one of the factors that go into picking the right tool for the job at hand.

 

[Goldmond]

U87

U87

That is true, you would have to get it mighty close. And it's not designed for that anyway. Of coarse, all mics work better the closer you get. I was looking into getting some mics for audio and thought that since I had access to a U87 why would I buy a 200-400 dollar mic when I have access to a $2000 dollar mic.

 

[Steve House]

That is true, you would have to get it mighty close. And it's not designed for that anyway. Of coarse, all mics work better the closer you get. I was looking into getting some mics for audio and thought that since I had access to a U87 why would I buy a 200-400 dollar mic when I have access to a $2000 dollar mic.

Very true, hope springs eternal <g>! Neumann does make some mics that are very well respected for film/video production - take a look at the KMR 81i and 82i shotguns. If you've hit the lottery and want a stereo mic, check out the RSM191a - priced to move at a mere $5250! LOL

 

[Oleg 2]

the biggeest problem is no so much the weight as it become the same as 816 but the side adress , almost impossible to work wih .
but everything is poossible in film buisness and every 2 minutes some one discovers the weel again

 

[Ted Spencer]

Well, one thing a U87 will certainly serve you well for is narration, ADR and Foley. I recently did the latter two for a half-hour TV show and used an 87 for everything including singing by two of the actors.

It's the all time workhorse high-end mic.