Audix F9

Joseph "Stix" Davis

Audix F9

By Joseph "Stix" Davis - 1/11/19

The Audix F9 is part of the Audix Fusion Series of microphones. The F9 is a small diaphragm condenser microphone designed for mid-high and high frequency ranges instruments, primarily for cymbals, as overheads or close on hi-hat or ride cymbals. It can be used live, or in the studio.

Price

Prices listed are an average from several different online stores.

New: $129

Used: $99

The Audix F9 is also available as part of various drum microphone bundles, such as the FP7.

Technical Specifications

Microphone Type: Condenser

Polar Pattern: Cardioid

Connector: XLR

Frequency Response: 40 Hz - 20 kHz

Output Impedance: 200 Ohms

Sensitivity: 8 mV / Pa @ 1 K

Full specs can be found on the Audix website - https://audixusa.com/docs_12/units/f9.shtml

Drum / Head / Tuning

Before getting into the sound test, I want to share the drums, heads, tuning, and cymbals that I'm using.

Snare Drum: Pearl Masters MCX Maple - 14" x 6.5"

Batter Head: Aquarian Texture Coated

Resonant Head: Hi-Performance

Kick Drum: Pearl Vision VX 22" x 18"

Batter Head: Aquarian Super Kick II Clear /w Double Kick Pad

Resonant Head: Aquarian Regular Black /w Port Hole

Tom Drums: Pearl Vision VX - 10" x 8", 12" x 9", 14" x 14", 16" x 16"

Batter Head: Aquarian Response 2 Coated

Resonant Head: Classic Clear

Cymbals: Zildjian A Custom
Hi-Hat: 13" Mastersound

Ride: 20" Ping

Splash: 10"

Crashes: 15" Fast, 16" Projection, 18"

China: 18"

Tuning (Values Are Approximate)

22" (Kick)

Key

Batter: 2.5 Turns

Resonant 2.5 Turns

DrumDial

Batter: 75

Resonant: 75

Tune-Bot Studio

Batter: 56 Hz

Resonant: 56 Hz

10" (Tom)

Key

Batter: 1.5 Turns

Resonant 2 Turns

DrumDial

Batter: 69

Resonant: 80

Tune-Bot Studio

Batter: 203 Hz

Resonant: 344 Hz

14" (Tom)

Key

Batter: 1.5 Turns

Resonant 2 Turns

DrumDial

Batter: 72

Resonant: 79

Tune-Bot Studio

Batter: 119 Hz

Resonant: 204 Hz

Demonstration

For this demonstration, I am using the XY position, with the microphones above the snare drum.

First will be just the cymbals, then the whole kit with no muffling on the drums, then the whole kit with studio rings on the drums, and finally the whole kit with Moongel on the drums.

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pocaKnJ4dU

Final Thoughts

Sleek, solid, and wonderful sounding condenser microphones. If you have no other microphones, you can get a pair of these and record a whole kit with it. You can also use these on individual cymbals, such as hi-hat or ride cymbals. I'm currently using the Audix F9 as overheads on my studio kit, and recording country rock and hard rock music.

14" (Snare)

Key

Batter: 2 Turns

Resonant 3 Turns

DrumDial

Batter: 82

Resonant: 72

Tune-Bot Studio

Batter: 260 Hz

Resonant: 380 Hz

12" (Tom)

Key

Batter: 1.5 Turns

Resonant 2 Turns

DrumDial

Batter: 70

Resonant: 75

Tune-Bot Studio

Batter: 147 Hz

Resonant: 255 Hz

16" (Tom)

Key

Batter: 1.5 Turns

Resonant 2 Turns

DrumDial

Batter: 72

Resonant: 75

Tune-Bot Studio

Batter: 117 Hz

Resonant: 156 Hz