Audix i5 Review
Cardioid Dynamic Instrument Microphone
Highlighted Customer Reviews
Showing 1 to 20 of 47 Reviews
Absolutely Great
Audix i5 Instrument Microphone
Reviewed by Kevin Delaney on Guitar Center
I went into Guitar Center about 3 years ago to pick up a new SM57, and the salesman there went on and on about how he tried the i5 and immediately stopped using 57's. I was skeptical, but he was extremely persistant. What finally sold me was when he said "if you buy this and don't think it's better than an SM57, I'll personally buy it back from you". I went home and went to work on finding ANY excuse to go back there and tell him what a jerk he was for wasting my time. Like I said, it's been 3 years, and I have yet to find a situation where it doesn't outperform the SM57. It's one of those things where you plug it in and it just works. Every time. The only thing that I found it to not do overly well was record vocals, but that's because it's not a condenser. Some people record their vocals with dynamic mic's, but I've always found it less than appealing. I was going to go back to GC and give him a hard time about that.. but quickly remembered that Audix also makes a slew of large diaphragm condensers (which he would undoubtedly talk me into selling a kidney in order to purchase). In a nutshell, stop reading this and buy it. If you're looking for an SM57, buy this instead. I promise you, its performance will surprise you. ... More
One awesome Mic!
Audix i5 Instrument Microphone
Reviewed by Jp on Guitar Center
I was going to purchase the typical SM57 to mic my guitar cabinet for my home recording studio (PC Based with a TC Electronic Konnekt)but got this one instead. Haven't looked back since, plugged everything in and it just worked and it sounded great, much better than I was anticipating. Appears to be pretty rugged and durable. Looks pretty darn awesome too! I will have to get another one soon!
audix i5 vs shure sm57
Audix i5 Cardioid Dynamic Instrument Microphone
Reviewed by Roger B. on Reverb
the Shure SM57 has been my grab and go mic for live electric guitar cabs for quite a while.. never gave it a lot of thought as it was easy/compact/rugged and sounded just fine .. in the studio there are others I would prefer .. but for live situations I have more things to think about than replacing a mic that works just fine. When I started making Speaker Isolation cabs again ( Micro Room ) and put one to work in my studio I put a 57 in because I have several and ..'they work' . A friend brought over an Audix i5 and talked me into giving it a try in the Micro Room. I recorded some guitar into a looper ( so the amp and signal would be identical ) and recorded the same loop thru the same amp and compared ... I won't say night and day dif...but it midrange and high frequency smoothness were a very welcome change. the mic also has more output and more extended low end. again .. I will never say a 57 sounds bad...(because I don't think they do) but i will say i think the i5 actually sounds good and the form factor ( size and shape ) and price make it a no brainer. so i bought one and put it in the Micro Room ..... now need another for my live rig ... there you go ... More
Any instrument, No problem
Audix i5 Instrument Microphone
Reviewed by Tim Reisinger on Guitar Center
I happened to have found one of these in a closet and I was like cool, new toys. I started using it one pretty much every instrument that I could get to from guitar amp, acoustic guitar, bass amp, and every piece of drum. It didn't take long for me to go buy another. It makes the real tone of everything come alive. The amps sound exactly the way they were meant to and occasionally better. it captured the whole set of ranges for an acoustic. All done with next to no usage of an EQ dial on the board. It may not be the best choice for a bass drum but if you want some assistance hearing it, then it will work for the time being but is only designed to pick up ranges so low.. Miking toms is a glorious time because it captures tones that even a human ear can't to make the tom ring and project beautifully. So if you could only have one kind, an army of these would get you a long way ... More
I LOVE this mic!
Audix i5 Instrument Microphone
Reviewed by Dan Farmer of Romans Road on Guitar Center
I have four of these! I know if I hit them with a drum stick they won't shatter like some other mics and because they withstand such high spl I can use them anywhere I need them from guitar cabs to drums or even overheads Audix makes a great mic! This is one of the best!
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Great Live/Recording Mic
Audix i5 Instrument Microphone
Reviewed by duder744 on Guitar Center
The Audix i5 is the mic you need for recording or live sound reinforcement for guitar cabs, snare, and toms. This mic has very high gain before feedback, allowing clear sound at loud volumes, with high off axis rejection to exclude unwanted noise and feedback. The durable frame of the mic allows for some beating without damage. An all purpose, great microphone is what you get with an Audix i5.
Getting that snappy snare sound
Audix i5 Dynamic Instrument Cardioid Microphone
Reviewed by Lou on B&H Photo Video
I first came across the i5 on a snare at a venue that was helping out. I was not familiar with the item, but came to appreciate how it gave the snare (which was a pretty mediocre snare drum) good snap, allowing it cut through the mix. So now I'm calling the shots at another venue and after listening to a snare through an SM57 for 3 months, have gone back again to the i5. Is the i5 idea, or something I would use in my studio? Probably not for this use. But, the purposes are different. I'm doing contemporary music where i need the snare to sound almost piccolo snare-like, which this mic gives me. Plus the darn thing is tough as nails. I have (and will) buy more. ... More
Sounds great!
Audix i5 Instrument Microphone
Reviewed by Austin Davis on Guitar Center
When I was shopping around for an amp mic for my Blues Jr I considered both the SM57 and the i5, and went with the i5 because the reviews said that it is more even across the frequency spectrum, and I never really cared for the 57 anyway. It always sounded to boxy, but the i5 sounds really natural. Give it a shot if you want what comes out of the PA to sound just like what comes out of your amp. Hell, even if you just want to be a little different and not use a 57...
Perfect!
Audix i5 Instrument Microphone
Reviewed by Andrew on Guitar Center
I bought this mic orignially just for a snare while recording my band but have found it to be useful in other situations too. I use it to mic my 4x12 cab while recording guitar along with a condensor with great results. ALSO if you are a drummer that sings this is the mic for you, it has a very restricted pickup range so it gets more voice with less drum bleed from behind the kit, this is what my drummer uses to sing. This is a great mic, super durable. Its taken a few good hits with no damage to the body or sound quality. ... More
LOVE IT!!!!!
Audix i5 Instrument Microphone
Reviewed by frank on Guitar Center
i purchased one after a friend of mine recommended these over the sm57, since then, i've never looked back!! i recently used it at chruch (crowd of about 700), my sound guy says it blew the sm57 away!! it just cuts through the mix w/ way better clarity!! get one, you won't regret it
Better than a 57!
Audix i5 Instrument Microphone
Reviewed by Matthew on Guitar Center
I bought a pair of these little beauties instead of the "couple of 57's" my engineer and songwriting partner requested and HE couldn't be happier! While we've only used them for overheads on drums thus far (simple John Bonham setup), we immediately noticed the stellar quality and dynamic realism these mics can capture. Our drummer, who has played in many, many bands, and recorded in plenty of studio situations, said it was the best his kit has ever sounded on record! Well worth the switch for Shure!
my go-to snare mic
Audix i5 Instrument Microphone
Reviewed by really? this is a mandatory question? on Guitar Center
i bought this back in the summer of 2006 and since then i have never felt the need to use another mic! in my opinion this is a lot cleaner than the sm57 on snare, but the 57 still beats out the i5 on guitar cabinets. out of all the recordings i've done over the years there has only been one recording where the i5 needed any help. i almost always use this as a top head mic (on 2 recordings i mic'd the side of the snare with good results), but for my last recording it sounded dull on its own, so i put a beta57 on the bottom of the snare and it brought in everything that was missing. you definitely need one of these in your collection ... More
Less emphasis on lows then a 57.
Audix i5 Cardioid Dynamic Instrument Microphone
Reviewed by Marcia M. on Reverb
Being not a microphone expert, i use the i5, in conjunction with a Shure SM57, to mic a Sony boombox so i can play drums at arena volume to Siouxie and the Banshees. Kinda stupid, really. That said, the i5 matches up very well with the Shure. Build wise, i see no advantages. The Shure sounds bassier, and seems happiest in the bass zone (i'm guessing that this is why people love these mics). The i5 has more high-end articulation, and is less thick sounding. The thing with the Shure, is that even if you goose the treble freqs., it still sounds bassy and thick, and the i5 gives you back some shimmer. ... More
great workhorse microphone
Audix i5 Instrument Microphone
Reviewed by Alex Fishburn on Guitar Center
I haven't been recording too long, but I am very satisfied with this microphone. The first thing I really liked about this mic is that it is very sturdy feeling and the clip threads are metal and not cheap plastic. But, this mic really does give SM57's a run for their money. And personally I like them better. This mic is great for toms, recording guitar amps, snare, and even bass drums with some creative eq-ing. Overall, this mic is a great mic and will be a strong competitor for SM57's
the best accordion mic ever
Audix i5 Instrument Microphone
Reviewed by lupe GRUPO LOVERS on Guitar Center
I buy a shure beta 58 to mic my gabbanelli accordion and i was not geting the sound i buy a audix i5 and it covers all frequencys its small portable and last for ever the best instrument mic and i dont get feed back at high volumes ..........
Great Guitar Cab Mic
Audix i5 Instrument Microphone
Reviewed by Doug on Guitar Center
I got to say that I will never use a SM57 after having one of these. When I play live, I need that round and balanced tone as quickly as possible. I've used this mic for a couple years now and the quality is second to none. Better built than the competition by far.
Amazing
Audix i5 Instrument Microphone
Reviewed by Charlie Chacon on Guitar Center
I was goin to purchase the legend sm57 for our snare at church but everyone keep tellin me to go with the i5........wow as soon as i plugged it in monster puch and clearity very happy audix has nailed it with the i5 and D6
Super Duper SM57 killer!!
Audix i5 Cardioid Dynamic Instrument Microphone
Reviewed by Kirk H. on Reverb
I like these better than the SM57 for my home studio. So far I have used 'em on Snare and Elec guitar cabs. Also did a demo acoustic track with one, sounded fine! The Audix actually sounded better than a costlier SH#RE condenser that was too brittle and harsh. I would not hesitate to try one on anything ('cept maybe voice) in the studio. They can be picked up USED on the cheap...a great buy! Audix is my new (after Audio-T) favorite studio mic brand. Good stuff.
Solid all arounder
Audix i5 Cardioid Dynamic Instrument Microphone
Reviewed by Tim L. on Reverb
This mic is a work horse. Works well on snare guitar carbs and vocals similar to an sm 57. It doesn't have quite the same sound that a 57 does on guitar and snare but it may be a bit sweeter on vocals in a pinch for live sound. Seems a little scooped to my ear but not so much that it doesn't work well with multiple sources. It's a solid contender and a good all arounder for your mic locker or gig box.
Shure has met it's match
Audix i5 Instrument Microphone
Reviewed by Jonnie Boomboom on Guitar Center
This is basically a glorified version of a Shure SM57. Great on just about everything. Need a hi-hat mic, but cant afford an expensive condensor... here you go! Need to mic a guitar amp... here it is! Versatility is this mic's forte.
