Neumann U 89 i - nickel

The U 89 i combines advanced capsule technology with classic transformer-coupled electronics. The result is a highly versatile large-diaphragm condenser microphone for all studio applications. Features include five selectable polar patterns and a two-stage low-cut, as well as a switchable 6 dB pre-attenuation for extreme sound pressure levels up to 140 dB without unwanted distortion. The U 89 i is similar in appearance to the legendary Neumann U 87 but smaller and lighter. This is no accident: the U 89 i, introduced in 1980, was designed with the goal of improving on the classic Neumann U 87. much respect. Not only can the U 89 i handle much higher sound pressure levels, it also has a more flexible low-cut filter (lin, 80Hz, 160 Hz) to suppress rumble and compensate for the proximity effect. And in addition to the three main polar patterns, omni, cardioid and figure 8, the U 89 i offers two intermediate positions, wide cardioid and hypercardioid. The K89 dual-diaphragm condenser capsule is an advanced design with an extended, very even frequency response in all polar patterns. The diffuse field response is also very even, which is crucial for natural-sounding recordings in reverberant environments. In other words, the sound balance of the U 89 i remains intact as you switch between polar patterns, and any off-axis noise, including spills from other instruments, is captured uncolored. This is quite exceptional for a microphone with a large aperture. The U 89 i offers the best of both worlds: it combines the sonic precision and linearity of a state-of-the-art small-diaphragm condenser microphone with the smoothness and flexibility of a large-diaphragm microphone. This makes the U 89 i a truly universal studio microphone. The U 89 i is an excellent vocal microphone, especially for trained professionals who prefer to have their voice captured in its natural beauty. For the same reasons, the U 89 i is a sought-after microphone for voice-over and movie dubbing. The U 89 i's unique combination of flexibility and superior off-axis behavior makes it an excellent choice for orchestral recordings, where it can be used as the main microphone or as a spot mic for soloists and individual sections.

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