Audix i5

I have played drums professionally for nearly 25 years. I am also a public high school music teacher with 11 years in the classroom. At school I get to use a lot of different gear: Mackie powered speakers, Yamaha boards, Shure mics, Audix condensers, and a variety of playback media (M-Audio studio monitors, Edirol digital recorder, Sony bookshelf speakers from a Denon amp). When I record, I usually go with the convenience of the Edirol R-09. I will also use a Superscope CD recorder. I record my 4-piece rock band, 20-piece jazz band, and my 45-piece wind ensemble.

The rock outfit I play with has a great Allen & Heath board with Crown amps and these amazing JBL speakers.

The i5 is a dynamic "all-purpose" mic.

I bought it to replace my dad's SM57 that he needed back and I haven't missed it yet. It goes on the top head of my snare drum at an angle below my hi-hat.

The i5 is great at bringing a very clear, full sound into the mix. The size allows for almost any placement in my rig, and has proven very durable. I transport it in a hard case with my complete mic setup. I like it as much as the SM57. Given that I got it used for little $$ and I don't have to borrow one anymore, i might even like it more than the 57.

I use Audix around the drums: D6 on the kick, D2 and D4 on the toms, D1 on my piccolo snare (3x13 brass) and the i5 on the primary snare (Signia 6.5x14 maple)

It definitely works great in a variety of live settings (we play pretty loud at most shows) and has been steady for each show every weekend for 6 months.

A bummer: I had to shop around for a clip that would hold it in place. I found it bouncing around the snare drum a couple of times before I got a AT clip that keeps it in place. It cost an extra dollar for the clip - well worth looking for.

I've been a professional musician since the mid-70's, mainly as a guitarist, but also as a home recording hobbiest. My earliest studio experience was in the early 80's with 16 track on 2" tape.

Currently, my home studio is a TASCAM DP-01, a little Yamaha mixer, and a few effects. I either mic amps, or I'll use an old Morley JD-10 for direct guitar. The I-5 has so far worked out great for miking amps, and other applications.

Thus far, I've used this mic for miking amps, drum overheads, acoustic guitars, and vocals (I must be a moron). I've been happy with it so far. The extra low end can be a blessing or a curse, depending on the situation. Sometimes you have to cut the lows back on the board. My biggest complaint with this mic is the proximity effect, but that's only a problem with live vocals. I've since stopped using it for live vocals. It seems that very small movements in and out of the mic are greatly exaggerated by this mic, making it really awkward live.

I chose this mic after having to return a couple of SM57's that I had borrowed. I went to the local GC to buy a couple more, and was persuaded to buy the I-5 instead, after going back home and reading some reviews. It seems to have a pretty good reputation, so I took a chance. I'm glad that I did.

I have been a musician for 5 years now. My main instrument is guitar. I had a friend who was using the sm57 for recording digitally, into a comp. i have my own omega lexicon sound card, havn't used in awhile, cause i couldn't find a good mic for my amp. I went to guitar center to buy an sm-57, they were out. Thus i bought the audix i5 instead. I was so unbeleivably impressed. i tried many mics for my guitar. The sm57 has to much high end, not enough beef. too twangy. shure makes good mics but quite overrated. THE I5 IS SOLELY A STUDIO MIC. it pics up evertyhing loud and clear just like a vocal condensor. Do not use this mic for live vocals, or vocals at all. its an INSTRUMENT MIC. i dont know what idiot uses this mic for live vocals or live guitar, bloody morons. The i5 pics up a great nice warm sound, clean and exactly how the amp portrays. i have never had such good quality for the bang. play with the mic a little bit, change ur angles etc. i like to set a blanket over my amp and mic to help keep the warmth inside the barrier, helps the sound, to my taste.

Great mic, if you aren't packin the benjamins, and need a good guitar mic for recording, the i5 is definately it.

I've been in bands and recording my own music for almost 10 years.
Just recently I have been singing in a band. I haven't just been "the singer" in a long time. In fact the last time I did nothing but soley sing it was exceptable to have a $15 dollar Radioshack mic. Now that I'm in my mid-twenties I take my music a little more serious. So for this venture Im about to embark on I wanted a really good vocal mic.

$120.00 dollars was my price range. I tried the Shure Mic's first because of they're fancy reputation and let me tell you I liked the clarity but these are mics that haven't changed in 40 years. There are a lot better out there for a better price! If you like the feedback thing then those are your mics. I also tried AKG mics and I wasn't impressed at all. They have a really quite output.

When I tried the i5 I was in love!!! The clarity w/ no feedback was just one of the awesome perks! This mic also has great low end responce which would make this mic ideal for running effects through without feedback. Also, I love how tiny this mic is! Did I mention the grill is flat? Instead of the traditional Mesh globe you see on all the other vocal mics. You can really manhandle this baby vs. the big clunkity mics. That was the cherry on the cake for me!


Keep in mind that this mic was made for instruments as you will see on the box "AUDIX i5 INST. MIC". If you look at the polarity and frequency charts you'll see that they are very similiar to the Sm57 and Betasm57. Except you get that low end responce from the i5!
So, basically you get a great vocal mic and a great instrument mic.
I think this mic is very vocal friendly and would suggest it to any one who is looking for a great hi-end mic.

Mic: Audix iE DYNAMIC Mic

Use: Vocals

Overview: This mic is awesome... go buy one!

Been playing guitar for about 13 years and recording in project studios on and off a little over 3 years. Started w/ analog 4 track now use protools le digirack. Monitor through at30 headphones and philips speakers.

I have read several places on the web, people talking about this condenser. To avoid confusion I will tell you that this is definatley not a condenser, it is a dynamic mic. I usually don't write reviews, but I was compelled w/ this mic and on top of that Hotmail's server is down so...

This mic was a stop on my quest for the ultimate guitar cab mic. I bought it based on audix reputation and the quality of their past line of dynamic microphones. The drummer I play with owns the D6, D1, D2, and D3. Great mics... In my limited experience with recording, my biggest battle has been getting a good electric guitar sound into the mix. The amp sounds good, my playing is on, but the mix sounds like ass... I have limited experience w/ microphones however my first mic was an sm57. Based on the history, famous recordings.... decided to pick one up. The mic sounded good when recording into an analog 4-track. After a few years of not really playing that much and losing my sm57's in a move, I went ahead and bought a few generic 57's through GLS. I think they are clones, but didn't disect to find out. I did a side by side with my brother's beta57. Although almost identical (midrange nasaly thing going on), my ears liked the generics better. They didn't seem as harsh and scratchy in the high end. After moving to the digital world I couldn't for the life of me get a good sound into the mix. I tried every mic positioning on my amps and nothing would cut it. I then went out and bought an at3035 condenser after reading the reviews. I sold it right away. Dissapointed. Not that it's a bad mic, however wasn't going to work for me. I was actually saving up for an e609 when I saw an i5 on ebay for around 60 bucks, needless to say I took a gamble on the i5.

My first impression was discouraging, however, after about four minutes of playing w/ the positioning I found the spot (outside of the cone pointing in very angled). Very simply, the best my amp has ever sounded through a mic. Sounds great clean, overdrive, with wah, even at low amp volumes.... To my ears, it sounds a lot better than the 57 on my amp (Boogie DC-5). This mic relieves a lot of my long-held frustration with micing amps... From what I've read, the e609 is a good mic too. I just saw an add with Robert Randolph and his e609. I'de like to try it, but right now don't feel the need. This mic does it for my rig.

I wanted to mention that I can't see this mic being used as a vocal mic. Way too wieghted in the low and low-midrange. It makes it perfect on cabs not being to harsh. While the 57 (more weighted in the midrange) will do live vocals OK, I can't really say the same for the i5. If you want a real dynamic mic for vocals, look at the OM2. Haven't tried the OM5 and OM7. The OM2 kicks butt for the price. It's also not bad on amps. I was thinking about docking my rating of i5 for vocals, but it really isn't a vocal mic. If it sounded good on vocals, probably would sound like ass on my cab. I'm totally happy. I'm giving it a ten because I finally feel like I have a sound I can work with, when everything else has worked against me. I imagine it would do good on drums, Audix usually does. Haven't yet tried it.

Professional Recording Studio.
Have been in the business 15 years.
Trial and error. That's where I've been and am going.

Jack of all trades Microphone.
A little too much if you ask me. But it's not bad.
Doesn't quite nail SM57 sound. Prefer the SM57 or E609S for miking cabinets.
O.K. for vocals. Snare is adequate.
Kinda a Blah mic. Just nothing really grabs you.

I've been running a live sound company for 4 years, at least 75 shows a year. I've had a recording studio for three years- Midas venice mixer running into either a MOTU or Digi002 running on a Mac G4 dualie. I have Tannoy Reveal and M-Audio BX8 monitors.

I'm also an active musician, been gigging for the past 13 years.

I've tried this next to other mics I own- SM57, E609, RE20, BETA57, and MD421. On stage and in the studio. I picked it up because it was cheap and I'm a gear whore.

I just used it on electric guitars. When compared solo to the omni-present 57, it sounds better. Just a nice, big beefy sound. Which may be why some more inexperienced people gawk at this one. But it was REALLY tough to fit into a mix. Too much low end that was interferring with the kick and bass guitar. I had to really mess with it to get it to stand out in a mix. Might make a nice snare mic.

For this price range, I'd take an E609 over the i-5 any day. Especially if you plan to use it live, because it's so easy to just hang over the cabinet without a stand. But my favorite on guitar cabs is still the MD421.

Been making music for 10 years, have been recording demos for all the bands that i've been in for the last 5. I mostly use a Roland vs-880ex to record and then mix/master on my computer with cubase and sound forge. My primary listening equipement is my Kenwood surround system and my Sony MDR-V900 headphones.

this is a cardiod dynamic mic. i've used this on guitar cabs mostly. i bought this and a sennheiser e609 silver at the same time. this one kicked the crap out of the e609 silver! much more accurate, ballsy and detailed. the e609 is pretty much an sm57 and both suck on fully driven mesa or marshall rigs. the both make your rig sound like its in a cave. not this bad boy. get it close for an awesome proximity effect. i ended up having to roll alot of bass off at the board when normaly i'd be having to boost it! what your cabinet sounds like is what this thing will deliver, and then some. needless to say, i got rid of the e609. one note though, this isn't mad for ALL cabinets. i tried it on a peavey 5150 (crap) and it was too truthfull. ended up having to use an audix D4 on that one (still better than a 57 or 609).

disregard the person's review that said he "Wouldn't use it live because of the handling noise issue". That guy evidently didn't realize that this is an "INSTRUMENT" mic and isn't suppose to be handled. he was also trying to use this on vocals.... geez. you can't please some people, especially the uneducated. read the friggin' specs!!!!

if you record alot of fully cranked heavy guitar you are going to need this. i haven't tried it with clean or tweed yet but i'm sure it will still be better than a 57 or 609. i've also read it is superior as a snare mic. can't wait to try that!!!

I've been making electric guitar music for 10+ years and record at home very often though still somewhat a novice. Right now I own a Tascam 414 mk2 (cassette) to record my 'Metallic' music.

I't's a condenser mic good for recording loud sources up close. I mic my Crate 65w amp up close and the mic picks up really good nuances. It's best placed of axis of the speaker cone. I tried this mic at Guitar Center side by side the often lauded Shure SM57 and to my ears the choice was clear: the Audix i5 had a bigger, bassier sound, though a bit pricier. I don't have enough experience with it to know where the mic would not handle so well, but for my use it's fine. I'd definitely recommend the mic to loud guitarists looking for a quality mic for cabinets.

I've been a musician all my life, and I've been doing the home recording thing for a little over a year with a setup that is rapidly expanding. Right now I'm using an M Audio DMP3 mic pre and a Pod Pro for hardware, running through an M Audio Quattro into Sonar Producer, mastering in Wavelab, and monitoring with KRK RP5s and Beyer DT770/80 headphones. My day job is running a pro sound department at a Guitar Center, so in addition to what I have I also get to check out all manner of gear that I can't personally afford.

The Audix I5 is a dynamic mic with a cardiod pickup pattern. Audix rates its frequency response as being from 50 Hz to 16 kHz with a SPL handling of greater than 140 dB. The frequency response curve on the box shows a peak of about +3 dB around 150 Hz which falls gradually to -1 dB at 550 Hz. From there it changes little until about 1800 Hz, at which point it climbs steeply to +5 dB at 2500 Hz and holds there until about 9 kHz, at which point it falls off rapidly, hitting 0 dB at 13 kHz.

What this means in terms of sound is that it is a much brighter and more open mic than the SM57 (which sounds kind of compressed). I picked it up for recording acoustic guitars as an alternative to my Groove Tubes GT57 and my Oktava MK012. It's not nearly as mellow as the GT57, and it's less bright and tinny than the Oktava.

Before I bought it I tried it out in the store on a customer's vintage Gibson, and it sounded phenomenal. On my Martin 000C16RGTE (which sounds thin) I got great results mic'ing he soundboard right above the 18th fret.

I haven't tried it yet with an electric guitar or with a drum kit. Unlike the SM57 it has an all-steel housing, so it might be a good choice if the drummer you're recording has poor aim with his sticks. I'd probably also give it a shot on a tenor sax.