VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[Mike Sommer]

There are very little difference between the old or the new U87's. Aside from a "slightly" repositioned high frequency boost (up 2dB at 10k, vs the boost at 8k in the old model) the audio circuitry is almost identical to the old model, both in performance and components. But all U87's have a Honk, because of their frequency specific feedback loops to meet the standards set by the German Broadcast System.

You can EQ out the honk as the BBC does and or use a preamp that has smoother Mids and upper end like a Neve 1073 or a Golden Age Pre 73. This is why mic and preamp pairing are very important. This in itself is why I avoid most modern IC based preamps.

Also the U87Ai's headroom is lower by 5dB than the old U87 model because the single-FET circuirty has remained unchanged, while the capsule output was increased. Because of this the FET's headroom is reached much sooner.

The peceived performance differences between the old and new models are typically due to:
1) Significantly higher output of the current U87Ai which will affect mic preamp settings and possibly listening levels
2) Varying capsule performances, both from batch to batch and year to year, and of course from use and abuse.

So naturally a used U87's will sound different form mic to mic.
Because of this buy a U87 that sounds best to your ears. And ignore the claims that "old" U87s will sound better than newer or current generation models, because as long as Neumann/Sennheiser continues to put the same components and circuitry into the U87, performance will remain relatively unchanged.

It's also good to understand that Neumann tuned to the specifications of the German Broadcast System "Brown Book." With high-end shelving of -4dB @16khz so it would not interfere with the 19k pilot tone, bare minimum low end attenuation, gain suppression and RF choking so Neumann could sell its mics to its biggest customer-- the German Broadcast System.
_________________
The Blog:
http://voiceoveraudio.blogspot.com/

Acoustics are counter-intuitive. If one thing is certain about acoustics, it is that if anything seems obvious it is probably wrong.

[SkinnyJohnny]

Thanks for the info and detailed response Mike!
If memory serves me right, I was using a Manley Voxbox and a GML 2032 at the time.
_________________
John Weeks Voice Overs
www.johnweeksvoiceovers.com