The Truth About The Neumann U87ai... and The $500 Mic That SUPRISED Me!

Video Description

Last week, I released a blind U87 microphone shootout between the legendary Neumann U87AI and four budget-friendly challengers, all under $700. This week, I’m sharing my unfiltered opinions. After spending more time with each mic, I’ve got a lot to say about what makes the U87AI both iconic and overrated, and which affordable 87-style mic actually surprised me enough that I went out and bought it myself. If you’ve been wondering whether the Neumann U87 is truly worth $3,750… or if one of these modern clones can hang with the original, this video will give you the real-world, engineer’s perspective, no marketing fluff, just honest thoughts. The Microphones: Neumann U87ai Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone: https://www.zzounds.com/a--3993776/item--NEUU87AISETZ?siid=3917 Warm Audio WA-87 R2 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone: https://www.zzounds.com/a--3993776/item--WAUWA87R2?siid=285093 The United Studio Technologies UT Twin 87: https://www.zzounds.com/a--3993776/item--UTDUTTWIN87 Roswell Pro Audio Mini K87: https://www.roswellproaudio.com/chapman Dachman Audio DA87 SE:(not affiliated) https://www.dachmanaudio.com/products/da-87se Preamp used: The A Designs P1 500 series mic pre: sweetwater.sjv.io/kO6NWN OTHER GEAR LINKS: What I use for audio: (affiliated unless noted otherwise) My Voiceover Mic: (Not Affiliated) https://www.dachmanaudio.com/products/da-87se I use this one A lot - The Roswell Mini K87: https://roswellproaudio.com/chapman My Interface: https://www.zzounds.com/a--3993776/item--ANEDISCRT4PROSYN?siid=317635 My VoiceOver Preamp: sweetwater.sjv.io/kO6NWN My Main Monitors: https://www.zzounds.com/a--3993776/item--NEUKH120II?siid=335650 My Headphones: https://www.zzounds.com/a--3993776/item--BEYDT770PRO250?siid=302076 My LiN76 Compressor: https://www.zzounds.com/a--3993776/item--LIALIN76?siid=322099 Plugins: https://pluginboutique.com/?a_aid=691f3713a627d My Camera Gear: My Main camera: https://amzn.to/40Q93bY My Main Lens: https://amzn.to/3GD2Wkx My Main On Camera Microphone: https://www.zzounds.com/a--3993776/item--RODVMNTG?siid=272904 My B Lens: https://amzn.to/44GwEgB My Softbox: https://amzn.to/3EyfA2Q Subscribe for real-world, no-hype recording insights: www.Youtube.com/@UC7erPUP_HjRQvLg53ck1_Aw Follow me on TikTok/IG: @andrew_chapman Business inquiries: [email protected] #NeumannU87 #homerecording #microphonereview #microphone #homestudio Timestamps: Intro: 0:00 The Neumann U87ai: 0:29 United Studio Technologies UT Twin 87: 4:09 Warm Audio WA87 R2: 6:46 Dachman DA87 SE: 9:40 Roswell Audio Mini K87: 10:47 Shootout Audience Poll Results: 13:57