Saxguy's Full Review: Audix D4 Professional Microphone
This is the third mike I've reviewed as a result of my first band gig providing live sound on July 17.
To recap, we were playing outdoors in a park and anticipated up to 500 people. My theory of compiling my still-incomplete sound system was mixers, mikes, cords and mike stands first, main speakers last, although I did buy a couple of Fender powered monitor speakers early on.
I knew I needed a mike I could rely on for electric bass and bass drums. I saw that this was up, lightly used, at a nice price from a seller with great feedback. So, I researched the mike and found that the Audix D4 was frequently used in recording studios and live sound applications by low saxophones (tenor and baritone), electric bass, acoustic bass and bass drums.
Street price for this mike new was around $175. I was able to buy it on Ebay for $100. I’ve found that Ebay can be a great, cost-effective source for new and lightly used equipment
I chose to use this mike for electric bass this time, because my bass player of choice, Steven Hashimoto, is an active, busy player with a lot of pitch range and volume range. He has an older amp without a line out plug, so we set up a floor stand (actually a small desk mike stand) in front of his amp and mounted the D4 a few inches from the middle of the amp.
I found out after I bought this that it a hypercardoid mouthpiece, which means that the mouthpiece is not responsive to surrounding sounds. It “locks in” on the intended sound source. As a condenser-type microphone, it delivers great fidelity.
The sound quality was super. I had monitor one pointed to me so I could monitor (g) the mix. The blend was solid at all volumes. In fact, it was almost too responsive. My son, who was working sound, was pretty active adjusting the sound levels. Steve told me on the break to have Joe “set it and forget it”. Joe had done rock gigs before, and rock bands need the active adjustments because of generally louder volumes. Jazz players tend to like dynamics, and myself and the rest of the band are no exception. By setting the mix at a moderately loud level and leaving it, the musicians can then use dynamics (adding or subtracting volume) to create effects.
We had musicians in the audience, in fact one of them was a bass-playing friend of Steve’s, and they told us on the break that the band sounded great.
So, I highly recommend this microphone, It provided great electric bass sound at a modest price.
Here are some specs from the web site of one of their sellers:
When it comes to drum and percussion microphones, Audix has clearly become the industry leader. These American-made instrument microphones are designed to fill the specific needs of artists and engineers for both studio and live applications. Each microphone consists of a VLM (very low mass) capsule housed in a precision-machined lightweight aluminum body. The compact size, in conjunction with the newly designed D-vice gooseneck clip, allows for quick and easy set up an perfect mic placement. Don’t compromise the sound of your drums.
• Made in the USA
• Extended low end for larger drums
• Accurate frequency response
• Natural sound
• For application with kick drums, floor toms and
djembes
Technical description
• Transducer type: Dynamic VLM Type D
(transformerless)
• Frequency Response: 38Hz- 19kHz
• Polar Pattern: Hypercardiod
• Output Impedance: 200 Ohms
• Open Circuit Sensitivity
• 2.1mV
• Power Requirements: None
• Maximum SPL: 144dB
• Off-axis rejection: >30dB
• Housing: Machined Aluminum, black hard coat
• Weight: 4.5oz/ 128g
The Audix D4 will give your music a propulsive kick in the low end. The D4 utilizes an entirely new capsule specially designed to capture high SPL i...More at American Musical Supply
Fantastic prices with ease & c...(Stock status: N/A)
Designed, machined, assembled and tested by Audix in the USA, the D4 is a dynamic instrument microphone used for stage, studio and broadcast applicati...More at Amazon Marketplace
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