Dynamic Mic for Snare Drum
- Professional dynamic microphone
- Ideal for close-miking snare drums and toms
- Also suitable for wind instruments such as trumpet, trombone etc.
- Polar pattern: Cardioid
- Frequency response: 50 Hz –16 kHz
- Impedance: 150 ohms
- Max. SPL: 140 dB
- Includes carrying bag, microphone clip and thread adapter
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Available since March 2005
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Item number 178792
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Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
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Incl. Clip On Mount No
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Condenser Microphone No
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Polar Pattern Cardioid
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Microphone Clamp Yes
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Dynamic Microphone Yes
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Clean and clearly defined
The i5 from the US manufacturer Audix is a dynamic microphone with a cardioid pickup pattern, and it's fair to describe it as a genuine all‑rounder. It performs convincingly on a whole range of acoustic instruments, from snare drum and toms to saxophone and trumpet. It will deliver reliable results on guitar amps, and the i5 can more than hold its own as a vocal mic too. This versatility is largely down to its wide frequency response, which spans 50Hz to 16kHz, as well as Audix's own VLM diaphragm, which produces a natural and accurate response to fast transients. This combination of sound quality and its robust zinc alloy housing make the i5 well suited to use both in the studio and live on stage. What many FOH engineers are likely to appreciate, finally, is its resistance to feedback and its very low pickup of unwanted ambient noise, helping to ensure a clean and clearly defined sound.
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The Audix VLM diaphragm
The Audix i5 is a bit shorter than many other dynamic microphones with similar all‑rounder credentials: This makes it especially easy to position using the mic clip included here, for example on a snare. It'll just stay neatly out of the way, so even the most aggressive drummer's flow won't be disrupted. Similarly, the i5 is also very unlikely to distort even the loudest signals, as the capsule can handle levels of up to 140dB. The resulting clear sound is due in no small part to the VLM diaphragm, which also copes well with very fast transients. A look at the frequency response shows a lift at around 150Hz, which is where much of the body and fullness sits for many instruments, including the snare. There's also a healthy boost between 3 and 8kHz, adding plenty of presence in the mix. The mids, by contrast, are slightly scooped, giving the i5 a more open sound than, for instance, a 57.
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A modern alternative
A dynamic all‑rounder, the Audix i5 is a well‑built, modern alternative to competitors that have been fixtures in this category for decades. What stands out in particular is the way it combines a focused, assertive sound with an ability to retain the natural fullness of the source. A snare, for example, keeps its low‑end weight rather than thinning out. Transients are also handled in greater detail, thanks to the VLM diaphragm. Anyone looking for a contemporary take on the classic dynamic mic has found what they're after in the i5. That said, the microphone shouldn't be thought of purely as an alternative: Many creative users will soon be using it as their go‑to dynamic mic. Its versatility, whether in the studio or on stage, speaks for itself, and the same goes for its sensible pricing and robust build quality.
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About Audix
Audix is a US microphone manufacturer which was founded in 1984. The small company has its headquarters in Wilsonville, Oregon and offers a wide selection of microphones – both for the recording studio and for live use. The range of products extends from instrument microphones, such as those from the well-known D series, to vocal microphones with complete wireless systems. The company's remit goes beyond the music industry, however, since it also provides lavalier microphones, console microphones, and other devices for permanent installation. Audix also produces headphones and various microphone accessories, such as stands and XLR cables.
Your new favourite mic
For recording the vast majority of sound sources, it's hard to go wrong with the Audix i5 – whether that's in the studio or on stage. It's particularly well suited to close miking on a drum kit: Thanks to its low sensitivity of 1.6 mV/Pa, it keeps spill from the hi‑hat to a minimum when used on snare, and the cardioid pickup pattern helps further in this respect. As a result, the i5 works just as well as a top‑snare mic as it does underneath. With its fairly extended low‑frequency response and a lift around 150Hz, the i5 will also make toms sound reassuringly full. Its ability to cope with high sound pressure levels means brass instruments such as trumpets and trombones pose no problem either. When it comes to guitars, the i5 impresses not only on a guitar cabinet, but also placed in front of an acoustic guitar. Here, its clean and well‑resolved top end comes into play, which is unusually good for a dynamic microphone.
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