Audix i-5

Better than the 57.

I'm a touring and recording musician and I needed something more durable than a 57; I'm not always under the best touring conditions, so roadworthy is the quality I'm looking for when buying mics. This one seems more indestructible than the SM57 and can take a higher SPL. It also sounds better, as I find its scooped profile much move convenient, taking off some of the harsh upper mid edge. Totally recommended.

Great overall mic

Way better sounding that most brands in this interval of price. Great sounding for drums and guitars. Sturdy and well built. Recommend.

Great mic for many applications

This mic is reliable, sturdy and a perfect substitution to the SM57. Great on guitar cabinets and vocal tracks, but it can also be suitable for snares. Hightly recommended!!!

Good trombone mic.

I bought this specifically for my trombone as it got good reviews for this instrument in particular. I bought it like 8 years ago and still use it ever since. Mainly used in the rehearsal room or I bring it with me to gigs where there is no p.a. If there is a p.a. incl mix available already I won't bring it along.

Audix i5

One of the best snare microphone out there - out of the box sound. You will get absolutely the best quality for the price! Would recommend to anyone for live and also studio situations!

Great workhorse all around mic

This is a perfect alternative to world famous SM57. It has a little richer bottom and top end than SM57, also has a different pickup pattern thus making it great for reducing cymbal bleed in toms or snares. Perfect for drums, guitars, vocals, accordion, double bass... anything you can imagine!

Very good instrument mic

Audix i-5 is a very good instrument mic, comparable to the maybe more famous sm57 from sure. But this one is heavier, and feels more robust. I use it for snare drum recording (one on the top, one on the bottom), and i'm happy with the result!

SM57 is now only my secondary mic for guitar

Blew my mind. Way better sounding than in most comparisons I've seen online. Much deeper bass, much wider sound. I've always used it with my SM57 and together they form a monstrous sound, canceling each others fizz. Though the mic clip they sent with it can't hold the mic without tilting over... Other than that it looks bullet proof. Works amazing both on guitar and bass cabs. Also tried it on kick and it worked awesome for a demo. Output is a bit higher in level than an SM57, but not considerably. Smaller than SM57 so it can fit into tight spaces. I now use it as my main heavy guitar mic and use the SM57 as a way to cancel out fizz and to reinforce the low mids and mids. I'd chose it over an SM57 if I couldn't use both. Works well in a mix despite what some reviews said.

The new SM57

Mainly using this microphone on top snares, guitars amp or sometimes small percussions. This microphone is kind of the SM57 with a more modern sound !

Lots of musicians do prefer the sound of this Audix i5 now and I admit that I love that more modern sound for some applications.

The cons is : I think it's way more robust than a SM57.

perfect sound

on the snare drum I prefer I5 - sm57.