NEUMAN U87 Ai

T he readers of the SOUND ON SOUND magazine have voted: U 87 Ai - the BEST MICROPHONE, announced during the Winter NAMM show 2012 in Anaheim, California. The SOS award went to products, that "have made our lives in the studio all the more enjoyable". It is a further evidence for the reputation of the U 87 Ai as the world famous, professional standard studio condenser microphone. Until today the U 87 sets the mark in the microphone industry by which all others are measured. The U 87 presents a wide range of features and versatility that make it to one of the most desirable mics available. Our users are recognising the microphone immediately by its distinctive design. Well-known for its warm and well balanced characteristics - your perfect choice as vocal microphone for all types of music and speech. The usage as main microphone for orchestra recordings or as spot mic for single instruments make it the most general-purpose microphone - in studios, for broadcasting, film and television

T he U 87* is equipped with a large dual-diaphragm capsule with three directional patterns: omnidirectional, cardioid and figure-8. These are selectable with a switch below the headgrille. A 10 dB attenuation switch is located on the rear. It enables the microphone to handle sound pressure levels up to 127 dB without distortion. Furthermore, the low frequency response can be reduced to compensate for proximity effect

Se electronics Gemini II-MICROPHONES

The Gemini II dual valve microphone is a no-holds-barred piece of microphone history. The dual valve design means pure valve warmth from the 12AX7 input valve, coupled with a 12AU7 valve on the output stage. The result is an incredibly large, detailed, and intimate sound – reminiscent of the classic valve microphones from decades ago, but with a thoroughly modern twist. This provides the Gemini II with a sparkling, pristine high-end typically only found in the most expensive solid-state microphones, while maintaining the rich, thick tonality of a tube mic.

T he Gemini has a 20Hz-20kHz frequency range, but with a little presence lift to add air and detail to the high end. Its sensitivity is a fairly typical 20mV/Pa, and the output impedance is an equally typical 200Ω. Its equivalent input noise level is 16dBA, which is on the good side for a tube mic, and though the mic has no pad switch fitted it can accommodate SPLs are high as 130dB (for 0.5 percent THD at 1000Hz). This isn't as high as some models I've reviewed, but is still more than adequate for most situations in which this type of microphone is likely to be used. It is certainly more than enough to deal with even the loudest vocalist. There's also no low-frequency roll-off switch on this mic, so if this facility is needed it would have to be provided by the mic preamp.

AKG C414-MICROPHONES

The C414 XLS multipattern condenser microphone offers a choice of nine polar patterns for the perfect sonic capture for every application. A peak hold LED displays even the shortest overload peaks. For live sound applications and permanent installations, all controls can easily be disabled for trouble-free use. The C414 XLS maintains the sonic character of the legendary C414 B-ULS, the most popular AKG C414 version since 1971. Engineered for highest linearity and neutral sound, it has been the most versatile large-diaphragm microphone for decades.

The Gemini has a Audio frequency bandwidth of 20Hz-2000kHz frequency range. Its sensitivity is a fairly typical 23 mV/Pa, and the output Electrical impedance is an equally typical 200Ω and recommended load impedance 2200 Ohms . Its equivalent noise level is 6dBA, and the mic has a Preattenuation Pad of 6;-12; -18 dB ,base cut filter 160;80; 40 Hz.

NEIMANN TLM 107-MICROPHONE

M ulti-faceted versatility, no-compromise sound and innovative operation: With five directional characteristics and a novel operating concept, the TLM 107 provides sound without any coloration. Featuring equally impressive level handling and low self-noise, it captures everything from the softest whisper to thundering drums. The great consistency of the five polar patterns, omnidirectional, cardioid and figure-8, with the intermediate patterns wide-angle cardioid and hypercardioid, is also unusual for a large-diaphragm capsule. The TLM 107 provides optimal sound not only for the cardioid setting; it also ensures maximum precision over the entire frequency range for all of the other directional characteristics. The sound always remains balanced, with an almost linear reproduction up to 8 kHz, and a slight boost in the highest frequencies that lends presence and freshness to the voice. Here particular attention has been paid to the natural reproduction of speech sounds, especially the critical “s” sound. The grille is acoustically optimized for low sensitivity to pop sounds. In addition, the sound transducer is edge-terminated, with both diaphragms at ground voltage. Specifically, this ensures considerably reduced sensitivity to dust and humidity.