MDM, wrote on Thu, 04 September 2008 13:49 |
what's not to love?
... the fact that the rear side was often NOT as good as the front (I know because I worked for a Radio station which had quite a few)
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I am sorry, but I cannot support that contention. I have never found any rhyme or reason how Neumann selected sides of a K87 capsule, other than putting to the front where the writing is.
In addition, I have it from good authority that Neumann did the writing randomly, i.e. no front-side selection for K87 capsules based on performance was made (and how could they, considering that uniform performance is required for omni and figure-eight.)
I would also argue it's close to impossible for you (or me) to hear what the rear side of a double backplate/diaphragm capsule sounds like unless you mechanically reverse the capsule in its mount, then test the new front side against the old one, in cardioid.
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the U87 (incl. Ai) had much market in broadcast, which means: cardioid (back side) almost never used
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and that I would regard as a big plus. You get to experience an almost brand-new cardioid after reversing the capsule.
In general, I still maintain that the U87 is the most versatile of all professional solid state microphones ever made. A workhorse if there ever was one.
And, as to price:I would not denigrate those who pay two grand or more for this mic. Most of us know what we want in a mic and are no fools who would buy a model just on someone else's idea of value.