Audix
Audix FireBall
Dynamic, cardioid, ultra-small ball-shaped instrument mic held in the hand, made for harmonica (also beatbox and accordion)
Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.
Power None. Low output: it needs a lot of preamp gain.
- Type
- Dynamic
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −56.5 dBV/Pa computed
- Max SPL
- 140 dB SPL
- Among 36 dynamics: takes louder sound than 20%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 56%
- Rated range
- 50 – 16k Hz
- Released
- 2005
vs 13 handheld dynamics
Takes louder sound than 17% of 13 handheld dynamics.
Each stripe is one handheld dynamic with a published max SPL, and each bar counts them; further right means it takes louder sound. This mic is in blue.
Instruments sources recommend it for most
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the spec sheet, p. 2.
Titled "Frequency response"; relative dB (axis labelled "dBm", +10 to -10). Distance, room and smoothing not stated.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the spec sheet, p. 2. Approximate
Titled "Polar patterns"; two plots, "Lo" (125 Hz to 1 kHz) and "Hi" (2 to 16 kHz), full circles, 0° at the right. Scale "dBSPL" from 0 at the outer circle to -36 at the centre. Measuring conditions not stated.
Approximate: reading error up to about 1 dB.
In practice
All specs
| From the spec sheet | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | VLM Type B (very low mass diaphragm)Printed "VLM Tyle B" in the table; the architect and engineer text says "VLM Type B", as does the 2009 sheet. | p. 2 |
| Sensitivity | −56.5 dBV/Pa (1.5 mV/Pa)1 kHz. Not stated by the manufacturer: Converted from "1.5 mV / Pa @ 1k" (20·log10(0.0015) = -56.5). | |
| Max SPL | 140 dB SPLat least ("≥140 dB"). "Maximum SPL ≥140 dB"; no THD figure. | |
| Output impedance | 280 ohmnominal, at 1 kHz; also 150 ohm, 2009 sheet. "Output Impedance 280 ohms"; the architect and engineer text: "equal to 280 ohms at 1 kHz". The 2009 sheet says 150 ohms. | |
| Rated frequency range | 50 Hz to 16 kHz"50 Hz - 16 kHz"; no tolerance given. | |
| Powering | none"Power Requirements None". | |
| Connector | XLR-3 male, gold plated"3-pin XLRm"; page 1: "gold plated XLR connector". The 2009 sheet: "Switchcraft® male XLR connector". | |
| Weight | 128 g"128 g / 4.5 oz". | |
| Dimensions | 53.5 × 77.5 mmGrille diameter × length: "21.5 mm in diameter at the base, 53.5 mm at the widest point on the grill and 77.5 mm in length". | |
| Finish | machined aluminium, marbled anodised finish; steel mesh grille"Machined Aluminum / Anodized"; page 1: "unique three stage marbled anodized finish", "dent resistant steel mesh grill". | |
| Supplied accessories | DCLIP nylon snap-on clip; P1 carrying pouch"Supplied accessories". Optional: WS357 windscreen, CBL20 and CBLDR25 cables, CBLBP360 bodypack adapter cable, T50K transformer. | p. 1 |
| Off-axis rejection | >23 dB | p. 2 |
| Polarity | Positive pressure on the diaphragm gives positive voltage on pin 2 relative to pin 3 | |
| Guitar amp use | Low impedance: into a guitar amp only through a low-to-high impedance transformer such as the Audix T50K | p. 1 |
| PlacementAudix | Working distance 1-6 inches depending on the stage; keep 2-3 feet between mics | p. 2 |
| UsesAudix | Harmonica (diatonic and chromatic), accordion, beatbox vocals; also percussion, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, flute | p. 1 |
| Warranty | 5 years | p. 2 |
| From the Recording Hacks page | ||
| Released | 2005 | |
| From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
| Handling | "Handles “cupping” without impacting sound quality" | p. 1 |
Documents
- FireBall Dynamic Instrument Microphonespec sheet, ver 3.0 05-16
- FireBall Dynamic Instrument Microphonespec sheet, 2009
- Audix FireBall | RecordingHacks.com
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Audix, unchanged, with its original address.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.