Audix i5 Instrument Microphone
Mic up nearly any stage or studio instrument -- from snare to guitar cabinet -- with the Audix i5 dynamic microphone. It can handle up to 140 dB SPL.
$99.00
- No Credit Check6 x$16.50
- No Credit Check4 x$24.75
Overall User Ratings (based on 18 ratings)
Submitted March 10, 2014 by M A
"My go-to mic for any situation."
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I've used the i5 for years now and I swear by this mic. I've used 57s and many other dynamic mics, but I keep coming back to the i5. I just ordered another and figured I'd give my review on these wonderful mics.
Sound
Very similar to an SM57 but I find the i5 to be smoother in the upper frequencies. With my systems I tend to get more gain before feedback and better noise rejection with the i5s. I currently use i5s on batter side of snare drums, guitar cabinets, horns, and vocals and they just work well and sound great. It has become my favorite mic for mic'ing guitar cabs.
Features
Wind screen and grill are tough and can handle being smacked by drummers or dropped by singers.
Ease of Use
No switch, plug it in and go. I find it to be very flat and usually requires very little EQ'ing if any!
Quality
I currently have 5 of these in my mic collection and they've been used expensively on stage and in my studio. They held up well, sound great, and have never failed me.
Value
Same prices as a 57, sounds better (IMO), and is more durable (again IMO).
Manufacturer Support
Haven't had to contact them.
The Wow Factor
Eh, its black? Zero to little EQ'ing is very impressive, allows you to get an amazing sound very quickly even if your mixer/preamp is lacking in channel settings.
Musical Background:
10+ years live sound engineer, drummer
Musical Style:
rock, pop, funk, r&b, hip-hop, reggae
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Submitted January 15, 2008 by a customer from gmail.com
"A must-have addition to your microphone cabinet."
Sound
Blows the SM57 out of the water on snare top, guitar cabs.
Pleasently surprised when we tried the i5 on a scratch vocal track-warm full sound on male voice. Equally surprised when we tried it in conjuction with a SDC on acoustic guitar.
The best "utility" microphone on the market.
Features
Umm...its a plain jane dynamic mic. No switches. Nice gold XLR connector though.
Ease of Use
Point and shoot...great.
Quality
Solid constuction, awesome.
Value
Based on it's superior sound, the value is outstanding.
Manufacturer Support
Have not needed to contact Audix.
That's a good thing, right?
Musical Background:
musician, recording engineer
Musical Style:
rockabilly
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Submitted August 31, 2014 by shane brown in palm desert, CA
"audix i5. GREAT!"
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I have been doing a lot of guitar recording lately. I have been using Shure SM57s for years. I wanted to shake it up a bit, so I watched a boatload of reviews on youtube and read a ton of reviews on every forum available. There was one comparison on youtube that started with the I5 and i was immediately drawn to the tones. I ordered 2 from zZounds and have nothing but love. They kill. There are a lot of nice mics for recording guitar out there, dont get me wrong, but to my ear, The Audix i5 brings a considerably truer representation of what is coming out of my amp than ANY other
mic I have tried. (many) it is built every bit as well as a 57, and it is clearly going to be durable. Buy one. Definitely a value.
Musical Background:
been playing music for 30 years.
Musical Style:
rawk.
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Submitted May 1, 2012 by Godfrey P in Stony Brook, NY
"Audix I5 Instrument Microphone"
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zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Excellent instrument mic for guitar cabs and snare drum. Superb build quality and compact form factor. Comparable to the venerable Shure SM57, to my ears they are close in response on guitar cabs and snare drums. I do prefer them on snare versus the SM57 as the i5 capsule is protected by a sturdy metailic front end that stands up to errant and unintentional drum stick wacks. I have 3 sidelined SM57s with the tops smacked off without any way to re-attach the plastic protective head covers. It's frustrating. I am extremely satisfied with the Audix's performance to date. Will definitely purchase several more to add to my Audix mic inventory. I use the D series as my go to live mic system. You cannot go wrong with purchasing this microphone.
Musical Background:
Audio Engineer / Technical Director
Musical Style:
Live music sound renforcement.
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Submitted February 18, 2015 by m s in Kenosha, WI
"great mic"
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Bought this with the Cab Grabber to get a little better control over our sound in live shows. Mic works great! Pretty versatile--sounds good no matter where I place it on the speaker. I like micing it very close and off center. That seems to work best with my guitar sound.
Get the Cab Grabber, too--saves space and you don't have to worry about the mic moving around!
Musical Background:
songwriter/guitarist/pianist in original band
Musical Style:
indie pop
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Submitted June 23, 2009 by a customer from sbcglobal.net
"Great harmonica jam mic"
I am always looking for a mic with a better sound but I will always have one of these
Sound
I bought the i5 for harmonica jammin and i love it!!!
Features
No on-off switch
Ease of Use
Handled a wide variety of effects that I use on my harmonica
Quality
Very sturdy
Value
Very good value
Manufacturer Support
not yet
The Wow Factor
One of the slickset little mics I have ever used
Musical Background:
hobbyist
Musical Style:
Blues Rock
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Submitted November 14, 2007 by a customer from yahoo.com
Audix I5 Instrument Mic Customer Review
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Best mike I've used in a long time. Milking banjo's can be a tough job for any mike butthis one pulls it off like a champ.
Sound
Great sound, replacing our SM57's for milking. Great quality reproduction and impressive vocal work as well.
Ease of Use
Like the man said, it's a mike, plug it in and speak!
Quality
Very well made, Never did like the rotating head of the 57.
Value
Bought 5 of these for my band. Got a decent discount and the guys in the band loved the mike!
Musical Background:
Active Musician
Musical Style:
Dixieland Jazz, Ragtime.
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Submitted March 14, 2007 by a customer from yahoo.com
"New SM57"
Most likely have this microphone for years to come. Perhaps the new 57 if they market it right.
Sound
This is a very awesome mic. I was kind of sceptical about getting it but I decided to go for it. Seeing as how I don't want the generic 57 stamp on my products. This has a very bright sound with enough body to make anybody happy. I used it on snare and my snare just cut through the mix. I did a side by side comparison with a 57 and with the pre's and faders at the same level, same eq it was a lot louder and clear sounding.
Features
It came with a bag and clip, oh a sticker, almost forgot, a sticker.
Ease of Use
You plug it in. Its a microphone!
Quality
Definately higher quality than a 57. You could drop this off a building and it will probably work. Maybe not look so good but probably work. (I don't advise you to do so)
Value
I would have paid 200 for this microphone. Definately worth the 100 dollars.
Manufacturer Support
I gave it a 5 cause I haven't had to deal with them yet.
The Wow Factor
Definately like design. It looks like it has rear phase delay ports but they are definately running the same way as the microphone so it can't be. Nice touch though.
Musical Background:
Recording Engineer
Musical Style:
Metal, Rock
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Submitted August 25, 2014 by Yamil Hernandez in Bayamon, PR
"Audix I5"
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Good sound tailored to drums, very little eq unlike with the Shure SM 57's. More on par with the Beta 57 but still with a little more clear sound and requiring less eq to find a sweets pot. Although not having tried it on brass seems like its frequency response curve will fit nicely with them too. I've used them on snare and tom drums only so far. The I5's will now be replacing the rest of the 57's on my church drums as they are a bit smaller and nicer sounding than the 57s.
Musical Background:
Choralist, Sound Engineer
Musical Style:
Christian Rock/Pop/latin, Worship
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Submitted December 13, 2004 by a customer from hotmail.com
"I-5"
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Sound
It sounds like a 57 with a mid scoop....and the charts show that too, so no surprises there. it does have ALOT less handling noise, my feeling is that the rotating head/grill assembly on the 57 transfers minute vibrations. As far as output, it is about the same as the 57 i paired it against, but it takes EQ and FX better. Up close it has a more pronounced proximity effect than a 57, but it doesnt have the 'telephone-esque' sound that the 57 has, and therefore, sounds quite pleasant..it might even make a nice kick drum mic.
Features
This mic is my new best friend.
Its sounds like a 57...except not. At first glance(or touch) it is noticebly heavier and more rugged than a 57, and being that it has an all metal shell, it could probably withstand a hard hit from a drummer or a drop to the floor much better too.
Quality
obviously more rugged than a 57, all metal shell, less handling noise. and it sounds good too!
Value
if you like 57's, you'll like this mic.....if not, then you probably arent reading this review.
Manufacturer Support
not needed.
The Wow Factor
perhaps i will buy one or two more, to supplement my 57 collection.
as far as sex appeal goes, your kinky girlfriend might enjoy it.
Musical Background:
Producer/Engineer
Musical Style:
Everthing except country.
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