CoolCat
Well-known member
I finally grabbed a U87AI to finally hear for myself and end a small mystery that's been around for years.
Thought to add some fodder of the HR mic topic of this "standard".
Got one from Guitar Center, used, with 45 day return.."excellent".$2k..
I've done the Klaus reading and more. Deep dived into the fakes and authenticating these 87AI. In GC I opened the box, took off the barrel and the PCB circuit boards were easy to check out.
U87AI I got came in a box, but no shock mount. Grabbed a great deal from Amazon all fit perfect, works really good. $30.
Next I took the capsule out to verify it wasn't a fake too, which was a bit of a job.
All the key components correct, legit circuit # 6 which is a good one,etc...a lot of good info on the net.
The Capsule checked out 2022, KM870 serial number, very stock. Pictures taken.
As I did all this work it occurred how bad the FAKES became a reason for all this paranoia work.
*little note is to study the capsule holder for untouched"blue wax seal", and with a magnifying glass there is a N stamped in it. Well it was good , I took a picture then proceeded.
Then the fun began in comparing to other mics laying around.
The U87AI is a hotter mic, sensitivity high but so is the WA47 and Shure KSM 44., so ok, I have a decent blanketed/pillows "large vocal booth" room.
Compared it through a nice ISA430 preamp and here were some interesting notes.
1. The HPF was not to my liking, it is really high freq, some say 400hz! I don't know but there was no bass at all. Maybe this is good for orchestras or something but Im doing close up vocal.
Reading on the internet a person can change out the resistor, desolder and pop in another to move the HPF point.
I chose to turn it OFF and use the ISA430 filter and removed my worst room noise to a normal 80ohm and all was well.
2. Seems the pad isn't good for the sound, but I didn't use it and not an issue.
Recorded some brief stuff and compared to KSM32, Chandler Limited TG-L LDC, Antelope Audio LDC, MXL V67G LDC, WA47 LDC....no SM7b today it was in use.
Next repeated with the Antelope Audio interface preamp, instead of ISA430 , same mics.
As a review it was fun to finally have one here, the "standard", on the other hand it was just a mic with the "fame" thing buzz but in sound I was a bit let down because it wasn't special.
It was what it is. Its excellent shape, 2022, circuit #6, in perfect shape, the box case correct and the capsule confirmed, <$2000, someone else probably didn't need to keep it and its a bit of cash to some people for a hobby/HR. Im going to mess around with it for awhile and listen to the tracks more but I don't think Ill keep it.
For some reason it kind of reminds me of my daughter when she went through a phase of liking Gucci and expensive purses, well made, famous, popular,expensive but not really needed, and if it gets dinged or damaged $$$$$ drops off. It also seemed like a new car, whoever bought it pays $3700, used in 4yrs it dropped to $2k....ouch. I doubt it will depreciate much more.
serial number shows 176,xxx there's a lot of these mics out there!
1967 to 2026 and still going.
Thought to add some fodder of the HR mic topic of this "standard".
Got one from Guitar Center, used, with 45 day return.."excellent".$2k..
I've done the Klaus reading and more. Deep dived into the fakes and authenticating these 87AI. In GC I opened the box, took off the barrel and the PCB circuit boards were easy to check out.
U87AI I got came in a box, but no shock mount. Grabbed a great deal from Amazon all fit perfect, works really good. $30.
Next I took the capsule out to verify it wasn't a fake too, which was a bit of a job.
All the key components correct, legit circuit # 6 which is a good one,etc...a lot of good info on the net.
The Capsule checked out 2022, KM870 serial number, very stock. Pictures taken.
As I did all this work it occurred how bad the FAKES became a reason for all this paranoia work.
*little note is to study the capsule holder for untouched"blue wax seal", and with a magnifying glass there is a N stamped in it. Well it was good , I took a picture then proceeded.
Then the fun began in comparing to other mics laying around.
The U87AI is a hotter mic, sensitivity high but so is the WA47 and Shure KSM 44., so ok, I have a decent blanketed/pillows "large vocal booth" room.
Compared it through a nice ISA430 preamp and here were some interesting notes.
1. The HPF was not to my liking, it is really high freq, some say 400hz! I don't know but there was no bass at all. Maybe this is good for orchestras or something but Im doing close up vocal.
Reading on the internet a person can change out the resistor, desolder and pop in another to move the HPF point.
I chose to turn it OFF and use the ISA430 filter and removed my worst room noise to a normal 80ohm and all was well.
2. Seems the pad isn't good for the sound, but I didn't use it and not an issue.
Recorded some brief stuff and compared to KSM32, Chandler Limited TG-L LDC, Antelope Audio LDC, MXL V67G LDC, WA47 LDC....no SM7b today it was in use.
Next repeated with the Antelope Audio interface preamp, instead of ISA430 , same mics.
As a review it was fun to finally have one here, the "standard", on the other hand it was just a mic with the "fame" thing buzz but in sound I was a bit let down because it wasn't special.
It was what it is. Its excellent shape, 2022, circuit #6, in perfect shape, the box case correct and the capsule confirmed, <$2000, someone else probably didn't need to keep it and its a bit of cash to some people for a hobby/HR. Im going to mess around with it for awhile and listen to the tracks more but I don't think Ill keep it.
For some reason it kind of reminds me of my daughter when she went through a phase of liking Gucci and expensive purses, well made, famous, popular,expensive but not really needed, and if it gets dinged or damaged $$$$$ drops off. It also seemed like a new car, whoever bought it pays $3700, used in 4yrs it dropped to $2k....ouch. I doubt it will depreciate much more.
serial number shows 176,xxx there's a lot of these mics out there!
1967 to 2026 and still going.
