Joseph "Stix" Davis

The Audix Fusion Series microphones are a line of affordable microphones with drums in mind, but they can be used for several other instruments. They can be used live, or in the studio. The Audix Fusion Series is comprised of the F2 (tom), F5 (snare), F6 (kick), and F9 (condenser) microphones. For more detail on each individual microphone, please see the respective page.

 

Packages & Price

 

At the time of writing, there are currently two microphone packages available; the FP5, and the FP7.

 

The FP5 includes three F2 microphones for tom drums, one F5 microphone for the snare drum, and one F6 microphone for the kick drums. All microphones include clips for mounting, and an aluminum carrying case. This package covers typical 5-piece drum kits (one kick, one snare, three toms), but does not include overheads. Just add two overhead microphones, and you're ready to record a full drum kit.

 

New: $350

Used: $280

 

The FP7 includes everything the FP5 has to offer, including two F9 condenser microphones. Everything you need to record a full drum kit.

 

New: $500

Used: $400

 

Technical Specifications

 

The basic specs can be found on the other respective review pages. Full specs can be found on the Audix website.

 

FP5 - https://audixusa.com/docs_12/units/FP5.shtml

FP7 - https://audixusa.com/docs_12/units/FP7.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

 

14" (Snare)

 

Key

Batter: 2 Turns

Resonant 3 Turns

 

DrumDial

Batter: 82

Resonant: 72

 

Tune-Bot Studio

Batter: 260 Hz

Resonant: 380 Hz

 

Sound Test

F2 - Microphone capsule 2" above rim, pointed towards center of drum

F5 - Microphone capsule 2" above rim, pointed towards center of drum, 3 pieces of Moongel

F6 - Middle of kick drum, muffling blanket

F9 - XY position, with the microphones above the snare drum

 

There are several parts to this sound test, since I want to demonstrate what each microphone is capable of as individuals, as well as a set.

 

Playing each drum and cymbal individually to capture a point of reference for the sound

 

Overheads

All Mics

 

Playing the whole drum kit, 16 measures (1 measure hi-hat beat, 1 measure snare fill, 1 measure hi-hat beat, 1 measure tom fill, 1 measure ride beat, 1 measure snare fill, 1 measure ride beat, 1 measure tom fill, 1 measure crash beat, 1 measure snare fill, 1 measure crash beat, 1 measure tom fill, 1 measure China beat, 1 measure snare fill, 1 measure China beat, 1 measure tom fill)

 

All Mics

Overheads

Kick / Snare / Overheads

Kick

Snare

Tom #1

Tom #2

Tom #3

Tom #4

All Toms

All Mics

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

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