Neumann U 87

Originally introduced in 1967, a version of the U 87 is still produced by Georg Neumann GmbH.

[3] The U 87 has a large 25.4 mm diaphragm, and can operate with any one of three selectable polar patterns: cardioid, omnidirectional, or figure-8.

Introduced in 1967 as the solid-state successor to the U 67,[4][5][1] Neumann introduced the U 87 alongside the KM 86, KM 84, and KM 83 as part of the company's first 'FET 80' series of microphones that utilized use solid-state FET electronics that didn't require separate power supplies or multi-pin power cables and allowed the mics to be made smaller.

[6] The U 87 is more often used for vocals, and has been used in the recording of such notable songs as Neil Young's Heart of Gold,[7] Culture Club's "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me",[8] Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville",[9] Gary Wright's "Dream Weaver",[10] War's "Low Rider",[11] Paul Davis' "I Go Crazy",[12] Soft Cell's "Tainted Love",[13] Aerosmith's "Walk This Way",[14] Grateful Dead's "Touch of Grey",[15] Talking Heads' "Road to Nowhere",[16] Don McLean's "American Pie",[17] The Doobie Brothers' "What A Fool Believes",[18] Blondie's "The Tide Is High",[19] and Frank Zappa's long-playing album "Lumpy Gravy".

[20] It is also an effective microphone for broadcasters, and has been used by individuals and organizations such as Casey Kasem and NPR.