If you have ever seen a photo of a professional voiceover studio, there is a good chance a Neumann U87 was standing in front of the voice actor. For decades it has been the workhorse of voiceover, radio and TV studios, which is why it is often called the industry’s gold standard. At Voice.ge, we record with the Neumann U87 too.
Key takeaways
- The Neumann U87 is a large-diaphragm condenser microphone, introduced by the German company Neumann in 1967.
- Its sound is natural, clear and balanced: the voice sits up front in the mix without harshness.
- Directors, producers and broadcasters know its sound, which makes U87 recordings easy to use in any project.
- The microphone matters, but so do room acoustics, signal chain and the voice actor’s skill.
A short history
Neumann is a German company founded in Berlin in 1928 and one of the best-known makers of studio microphones. The U87 was introduced in 1967, and its updated version, the U87 Ai, has been in production since 1986. For more than half a century it has been standard equipment in recording studios around the world.
What the U87 is
The U87 is a large-diaphragm condenser microphone. Microphones of this type capture the smallest details of a voice: breath, intonation and warmth. That is exactly what voiceover needs, because the voice is the only performer.
Key features:
- Three polar patterns: omnidirectional (all directions), cardioid (front) and figure-8 (front and back). Voiceover usually uses cardioid, which focuses on the voice and reduces room noise.
- −10 dB pad: prevents distortion with very loud sources.
- Low-cut filter: reduces unwanted low-frequency noise such as rumble or vibration.
- 48 V phantom power: like most studio condenser microphones, it needs external power from a professional audio interface or console.
Why it is the gold standard
Natural, clear sound
The U87 reproduces a voice almost as it is, with a characteristic clarity in the midrange. Speech stays intelligible on TV speakers, phones and car audio, and the sound is never harsh or tiring, which matters for long-form narration such as audiobooks and e-learning.
The industry knows its sound
Directors, engineers and broadcasters have heard countless recordings made with the U87. A voice recorded on it fits easily into a mix and needs little processing. International agencies and production companies often expect exactly this sound.
Consistency
Advertising campaigns can run for months, and new versions or changes are often needed. A pickup recorded with the same microphone in the same studio matches the original, so listeners cannot hear the difference.
Reliability
The U87 has been working in studios for decades. It is dependable, stable and delivers predictable results session after session.
The microphone is only part of it
An expensive microphone alone does not make a great recording. A professional result depends on everything working together:
| Component | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Room acoustics | An untreated room adds echo that is almost impossible to remove |
| Microphone | Determines how accurately and naturally the voice is captured |
| Preamp and converter | Carry the signal cleanly, without added noise |
| Voice actor and direction | Intonation, pace and emotion that bring the script to life |
| Post-production | Editing, mixing and mastering to broadcast or platform specs |
That is why we use the U87 in an acoustically treated space and process the final file to the technical requirements of your project.
What to ask a studio before you order
- Which microphone do they record with? A studio large-diaphragm condenser such as the U87 is a good sign.
- How is the room treated? You should not hear echo or street noise in the recording.
- What format will they deliver? For example, WAV 48 kHz / 24-bit for video and broadcast.
- Can they record changes with the same sound? Important for long-running campaigns.
For more tips, read how to choose a voice actor and radio and TV commercial voiceover. The factors that affect cost are covered in our voiceover pricing guide.
Conclusion
The Neumann U87 did not become the gold standard by accident: it captures the voice naturally and clearly, its sound is known worldwide and it delivers consistent results every time. That is why we make every recording at Voice.ge with this microphone, so your voice sounds on air the way it would in the best international studios.
