Audix F10

Been making music 30-odd years. Recorded analogue in the past, nowadays digital (well equipped home studio plus some commercial studios). Been sound-engineering 25-odd years.

Cardioid pattern dynamic mic. The blurb says it's for snare/toms, but personally I think it can handle more than just drums.

Got this plus an F12 as an experiment (they seemed too cheap to be any use). In one band we've a percussionist who plays traditional-style tambourine (a bit like the Irish bodhran style, only with jingles and a much crisper sound and attack), frottoir and assorted other hand perc. We've tried a variety of mics on her over the years. SM57/58 - dull, lacking bottom end. Very difficult to get a clear sound - like listening through ear defenders. AKG C1000S - very toppy/bright. Can't get a good sound from the tambourine as jingles drown out the thump from the skin without massive eq-ing. Also too sensitive for sensible stage use (feedback). Also tried Beyer condensors in the past with no success.

The F10 is an eye-opener. Very different sound to the SM57. More open, with far more bottom end without relying on proximity effect. Not glassy or overly bright either. Almost sounds like a condensor, but without the fizz you often get from cardoid condensors. It handles the frottoir (rub-board - and very loud) fine as well.

The F10 has a very tight cardoid pattern, which helps on a crowded stage.

I'm not sure I'd use it as the only mic for recording (I usually use two mics - a large and a small diaphram condensor) for that job, but it'd do the job far better than an SM57 if you can only afford one mic. Extremely good value for money.