A replica of one of the most popular condenser microphone in history
The SA-87i is an exact sounding replica of the finest vintage U87 we could find. After repairing, testing and shooting out dozens of original U87’s for over a decade we stumbled across a 1979 rev 16 that sounded incredible on every single source so we decided to replicate it.
We tested every single capsule under the sun and combining them with different transformers and circuit values the SA-87i finally come to live and we managed to make it indistinguishable from our beloved vintage U87 microphone to the very last detail, and for the first time, at a price that makes it affordable to anyone.
The SA-87i is NOT made in China
Unlike similarly priced clones, the SA-87i does not use a low cost chinese transformer and it’s made by 100% by hand at our lab in Chile.
This ensures each capsule is carefully tested by a small team and that every SA87i we ship put sounds exactly the same. It also allows us to use the much needed Sowter output transformer which gives this mic it’s unique character and color, premium Vishay capacitors on the audio path as well as polystyrene capacitors, which are more stable and much more linear in the top end. This makes them the perfect choice for feedback circuitry. Every unit comes custom BG K-87 capsule from Rome.
The main shortcoming with current offerings is polarization voltage. While current models feature 60V, the vintage units were rated at 48V. The lower voltage of polarization makes the capsule sound more musical and mellow as well as increasing the microphone’s headroom, hence making it less susceptible to distortion.
We have remained 100% faithful to the original vintage circuit and schematic and have made no compromise in parts which ensures you are getting the best sounding microphone possible.
100% satisfaction guarantee – if you don’t love your SA-87i, we’ll refund you
If you’ve used an original vintage U87 before, we’re extremely confident the SA-87i will put a big smile on your face every time you use it.
However, if you’ve never touched the original before, as gear-lovers ourselves we understand that the only way to really know if this microphone is for you, is to put it through its paces. That’s why the SA-87 comes with a 30-day money back guarantee. This allows you to get it into your studio and see how it impacts your recordings. If you love it (and we think you will!), great…keep the unit and create amazing music with it. If not, no problems. Just send it back to us and we’ll fully refund your purchase.
Araks –
I can’t wait to receive the microphone. I have the SA-87 and I had to get the SA-87i knowing this one is going to be the best one. I know Josh has made this microphone to sound amazing. Can’t wait to record with it!
Alan Schwartz –
I’m a guitarist-I play sessions for people all over the world, in my home treated studio. The best acoustic guitar sound I had gotten before was on many sessions at P Diddys studio in nyc, on a vintage Neumann U87 into a Neve 1073. I recorded acoustic gtrs through my Stam Audio Sa-87i which arrived today, into a Stam 1073 mpa. I no longer need to go anywhere to get the richest, most expressive acoustic gtr tracks that fit perfectly in a mix (with a little eq & compression). Thank you Joshua! You are an artiste. I never liked the 87ai I’d used on many sessions in other studios. This SA-87i gives me the acoustic guitar sounds I’ve always hoped for. I’ll try it on vocals mañana…
keelsj83 (verified owner) –
This is the one right here. Shipping was fast from the mic being in stock so no long wait there. Holding the mic has great weight and build quality right from the jump.
I did my first recording today and I am amazed at how my vocals sound raw. My vocals are full sounding in all frequencies and the top end sounds amazing. Not harsh or sibilant at all. Very smooth. I did not have to do much processing at all for my vocals compared to the other mice I’ve used.
I’m very amazed at how this sounds. Even though I’ve never used an 87 before, this mic gives me the exact quality I was looking for out of my vocals. I primarily record rap vocals so this sounds perfect to me.
Highly recommended. Amazing job on building this mic.
Celec Frankenstein –
Excelente micrófono, sin lugar a dudas una de las mejores inversiones que eh hecho en mi estudio.
Ya grabé mis primeras canciones con el y las voces suenan fenomenales.
Muchas gracias por tanto Stam Audio!
Bryan Bridges (verified owner) –
I was a bit hesitant to buy straight from the company, I’m suspicious of items made in batches, it takes lots of money up front and sometimes puts you on a waiting list for parts to come in. However, Stam was perfect with the handling of my order. It took only two days to get to Viginia, USA from Chile! The mic is just like the videos I watched, like a Neumann, and able to be used as one would a paintbrush for any sound quality I want to capture. Great quality, less expensive and quite frankly better than most other mics in this category. Joshua was always prompt with answering my questions, great customer service, really nice experience. 100% A+
Berg Whyliams –
The Sa-87i is an absolute beast!
I put mine side by side with my U 87 AI & they both sound identical, that’s crazy!
Definitely my new « go-to » mic!
Wanja Slavin –
incredible mic! thanks a lot!
Zyon Odinson (verified owner) –
So…this was my very first purchase with Stam Audio and because of how great this mic sounded, I decided to purchase more items. I have used the newer model of the U87 and the vintage version and I have always thought the vintage version sounds way better. It always presented more warmth where the newer version just had too much highs. Well, in my humble opinion, Stam hit a home run with this one! This SA-87i sounds almost identical to the warmth I hear from the vintage U87. Blessed!
Reeseonthekeys –
Simply amazing, tried with the Neumann it was identical, there is no better value in recording mics than Stam! Coming back for a compressor
Tristan Huffaker –
This microphone sounds amazing. There was a bit of a waiting time, but it was definitely worth it. I don’t have the Neumann to compare it to, however the SA-87i stands its ground nonetheless and projects the audio source in a very smooth and shimmering way. I will be back for more!
My compliment to Joshua and his team for making such quality gear for a reasonable price!
gregcoop7 –
My first purchase from Stam, I like this SA87i better than a Neumann 87ai. I have not used the vintage Neumann 87 like the one Josh compared this to, in his video ( which sold me on this mic) it is really a no frills 87 that just sounds real good. Very smooth, no top end harshness. It takes eq really well, but you don’t need much, and also1176 and LA2a sound good with this mic, but you don’t need much , if any. Workmanship and microphone shockmount are very good. I like this mic better than the United Audio or the Warm Audio. I’m keeping it and ordered an SA47 mk3..which I am also very impressed with… see review
Coop: Colorado home studio/ Musician
JoeLSoLmusic –
What a lovely microphone. This is the holy grail mic and finally got it. The SA 87ai sounds fantastic. It smooths out the vocals in a pleasant way. I’m sure the value of this mic will increase as the years go by. Very happy first time customer. It matches well with my BAE 1073 DMP. I also use the Tubetech CL1B compressor plugin. Thank you Josh for the outstanding customer service. Well worth the wait!
Caveman Studio (verified owner) –
I got to try out my new SA-87i today on some vocal tracks. Wow, what a beautiful sounding microphone. Ran it through a 1073 into a 1176F. Love It!!!
Jake Macdonald –
The first Stam mic I purchased around 2018 was the first rendition of this, and it put in some serious hours at our studio. We did pretty much every style imaginable, and used it for vocals, acoustic guitars, amps, room mics, and even a mono overhead. Very versatile, and an absolute steal of a deal at this price.
patrickkrief –
SA 87
Everything you would expect from a vintage u87. absolutely smokes the u87ai. No comparison. Creamy top end , responds to EQ super well. Bright without being harsh. Super solid construction. Have a pair, used for overheads, piano and vocals. Def getting more stam stuff.
Joel Berg –
Versatile, durably built, and jaw dropping sound. Vocals are full and rich; acoustic guitars are clear and resonant. Amazing. I’ve already put the deposit on an SA 67 MK3, and will probably buy the SA 47 MK3, too. These are amazing microphones.
Dudu Viana –
Comprei de uma amigo, após perceber q suas vozes subiram muito de qualidade, anteriormente ele gravava com um AKG C414. Insisti ate q ele vendesse, e hoje ele é uma unanimidade aqui no studio.
Tune Yourself –
Wow!!! I just received my second SA-87i. I now have a pair. I compared them both to each other, and then to my Vintage Neumann U87i that I have had for over 25 years. So far all 3 were compared using a Neve 1081 mic pre on vocals. I can’t wait to try on guitars and more with the pair. I am so thrilled and satisfied with all 3 having such gorgeous detailing, versatility, and strength, as well as consistency with each other in the spectrums that I have tried so far. I lost count on how many Stam pieces I have now, and I am already shopping and deciding on my next Stam pieces:-) Great job Stam team!!! Please keep the gear coming!!!
Art Hodge –
This microphone, at this price point, should be in every studio! It is so warm and has that vintage sound. Once it his the EQ and compressor, the vocals are so clear and crisp, with a warm tone. An engineer last night (from the 70’s knows his stuff) says they keep comparing your gear to the “real” thing and on A-B test they match up each time. Thank you for another great piece of gear!
I’m so stoked to get that 67 mic, the 87 you made is phenomenal so the 67 …. wow.
Chuck Schubert –
Josh and the Stam team have done it yet again! This is my third Stam mic (have a 47mk3 and 67mk3) and this one is just as great as the others. Absolutely beautiful sound; beefy low mids, very forward high mids, and a smooth top end. Sounds amazing! It blows the Neumann U87ai away and is an absolute no brainer, especially at this price point. It is more than worth any wait that you might experience.
Andrew “Goest Ryder” –
This was my first Stam microphone purchase. I anlso own other Stam Audio pieces (which are great). I was a little skeptical as microphones can be tricky. I can honestly say that I am very pleased with this microphone! This microphone has a more vintage U87 sound to it. I’ve recently did a vocal shootout putting this microphone up against other microphones that cost 2-5x more and this thing really held its own. There were instances that I preferred this microphone (it does an amazing job with sibilance). This is an incredible deal and it will certainly not be leaving my collection anytime soon! Do yourself a favor and place an order . I know for certain that I will be purchasing many more STAM Audio products in the future!!
James D –
I just got a matched pair about an hour ago. I had high expectations reading/watching everything I could about these mics. Let me tell you, these microphones are absolutely incredible and blew my high expectations out of the water. I honestly have chills with how good they sound. I don’t ever write reviews, it’s been years.. these absolutely deserved one. Dead silent through Millenia Pres, so clear, so full, so warm, so forward yet balanced and nuanced with life and tone.. I really honestly don’t know how much more you could ask for in a mic. SUPERB job to Josh and his team at Stam. Also, all that knocking online of shipping and wait time.. this company handmade a pair of mics, matched them and shipped it to my door in a month (chile to
north carolina, us). The highest of quality
and a class act of a company, I’m truly blown away. Simply put, they’re just amazing 😀
Ryan –
Let me start by saying at first I thought sumn was wrong with the microphone . But it turned out to be my interface . So let me say to Josh that I’m sorry for Assuming . And when I bought this mic he promised delivery would only take 3 days . Wich it did ! Very fast delivery and package was well wrapped and cared for . But the Tone and sound of this microphone is unlike any mic iv ever heard before . If this is what the Real U87i sounded like ! It’s no wonder it’s well regarded . Right now this is my Fav microphone ! I have a real deep voice and the way I sound through this mic is phenomenal ! IMO this SA 87i sounds better then my U87 ai , and that’s a big statement cuz the U87ai is one of my fav mics to record vocals with . I will be using this mic through a 1073 , a 312 and a ISA one . The transformer just has that sound that is Vintage and deep and creamy . I know this is a small company and the build quality isn’t like if a mic is manufactured by machines . It’s made by hand so after using it a few days I think I have a diff respect for it . It’s solid , heavy and sounds superb . Hey Josh if you see this thank you ! I’m gona grab the 500 series 76 compressor in a few days !