The Neumann U 87 AI-SET condenser microphone delivers a smooth natural sound. This studio microphone boasts three directional characteristics - omni, cardioid, and figure-8 – that offer the Neumann U 87 Ai AI-SET a 6dB improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio. This cardioid microphone maintains a smooth frequency response at a distance of 30 to 40 cm while the figure-8 characteristic extends that to a distance of 15 to 20 cm. The Neumann U 87 Ai AI-SET studio microphone is equipped with two switches at the rear: one enables this cardioid microphone to accept undistorted sound pressure levels up to 127 dB and the other reduces low frequency interference for proximity effect.