Vote: SM57 vs. Audix I-5

  • Thread starter Thread starter jdalziel
  • Start date Start date

Whats the better mic

  • Audix I-5

    Votes: 41 25.8%

  • Shure SM57

    Votes: 118 74.2%
  • Total voters
    159
i think that the i5 kills the 57 on snares, and i tend to like it more than a 57 on guitars
 
I think someone else made a good point earlier.

No one has really used the Audix I-5. All I read was replies stating how great their 57 was or is and there was hardly any comparison or mention of the I-5.

I just recorded over the weekend and the band wanted to try using their new I-5 on the drums and guitar.

After that session I am ready to go buy the I-5 and even the D series tom mics without hearing them.

I used the I-5 on the snare and on the guitar cabs.

The only down side was the guitars can be super punchy in the end and you have to tame some of the boom from it. Still not much of a down side at all considering I am only recording metal bands and the heavier the better. At least it has the capability to produce a stronger sound.

I have been using Beta 57's and SM57's for a few years and have never been as happy as I just was with the I-5.

If you read all the reviews from Musicians Friend, everyone has been extremely pleased with the I-5 over the 57's and the only complaints are they can be super punchy on the low end.

So heres a strong vote for the I-5 from a long time Shure user.
 
I used to record my acoustic guitars via DI box. Then I tried using my puny little acoustic guitar amplifier (Ibanez TA-20) mic'd using an SM57. It sounded much better than the "direct" path. Then I borrowed a friends Audix i5, and tried that. The improvement over the 57 was stunning. I got several compliments from people saying how great my tone was. I'm buying one now.
 
Blue Bear Sound said:
Which color is better, blue or black?

(same kind of question... same kind of answer.......)
Click to expand...

Except black is not a color... :D
 
I have both, and use both regularly. Both have their seperate applications. i5 is a little bit shorter, 57 has a more predictable tone. i5 seems to regect a little more from the rear, but that could be a perception. i've used the i5 more then the 57 simply because I feel like I'm doing something revolutionary. just kidding, but i really do use it more! ;)
 
A lot of mics have come around over the decades claiming to be a replacement for the SM57.

I gotta say, my buddy left his i5 with me for a while (still have it) and to me, it sounds better on snare drums and guitar amplifiers.
 
Todzilla said:
A lot of mics have come around over the decades claiming to be a replacement for the SM57.

I gotta say, my buddy left his i5 with me for a while (still have it) and to me, it sounds better on snare drums and guitar amplifiers.
Click to expand...

I loaned a buddy of mine my i5 for what turned into a couple months because I thought it'd work pretty well for the sort of guitar sound he was after. I didn't think I was going to get it back, for a while there. :lol: He preferred it hands down to a SM57, and I only managed to get him to return it after I finally talked him into buying his own.

The i5 is a little brighter and a little more scooped than a SM57. On a snare, I do tend to like a slightly brighter, slightly scooped sound, so I'd probably advocate that. On guitars, I go back and forth. Currently I'm on a SM57 kick, though I've been using a cheap ribbon for leads lately with great sucess.

Anyway, I voted for the i5 - it's not the "better" mic, but it's the one I'd prefer for a snare.
 
Ok...i have no experience with either but i would like to say that if both are inexpensive and work well...why not try out and possibly buy both?..I have an sm57 on the way but in the future i might pick up an i5 just to have it at my disposal
 
i have both and i use both. and i gotta say, the 57 is better. its not like saying "what color is better" or something like that. its not as if they are the same quality and it comes down to preference. not at all. the i5 is fine, dont get me wrong but there is a noticeable difference in quality. on snare and on cabs. at least from the work i have done.
 
SuaveRecords said:
i have both and i use both. and i gotta say, the 57 is better. its not like saying "what color is better" or something like that. its not as if they are the same quality and it comes down to preference. not at all. the i5 is fine, dont get me wrong but there is a noticeable difference in quality. on snare and on cabs. at least from the work i have done.
Click to expand...

I've got to ask... What makes the i5 lower quality in your opinion?

I generally prefer the i5 on my snare drum. It can take a fair whack from a drumstick, and the polar pattern is nice and tight. I generally find the sound easier to work with than that of a 57 too.
 
Gherkin said:
I've got to ask... What makes the i5 lower quality in your opinion?

I generally prefer the i5 on my snare drum. It can take a fair whack from a drumstick, and the polar pattern is nice and tight. I generally find the sound easier to work with than that of a 57 too.
Click to expand...

i find it makes guitar cabs sound a bit muddy, and on snare it loses a lot of the clarity and body. at least with my snare drums and my tuning style. the one snare i have is a 1,600 Ayotte, and there are so many little subtleties that the Ayotte has ...and i find they get lost with the i5. its not as noticeable on lower quality snares. but i still, find that it just makes everything sound a touch muddy. i might just be crazy hahah. or maybe its just the way it picks up my snare, or my cab. donno, just not a fan. im not trying to bash audix tho. i love the D' series, the D6 in particular is kick ass.
 
I was tossing up between an SM57 and an Audix i5 to compliment the Audix D6 I ordered the other day. Despite having experience with the 57, I went with neither and splurged by ordering a Beyerdynamics M201 :)

I'm hoping they arrive before I hit the studio in the early new year.
 
the only thing that keeps the 57 higher on the poll is oldies not able to change, and its unwarranted reputation
 
I own both and like them both just fine. For what it's worth, I expect the I5 will take more direct drum stick hits than the 57. If I could only have one, I'd take the 57, but would miss the I5.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top