RECORDING May 2022 - 42

REVIEW
While the omnidirectional capsule on the
A127 is removable, there are no other
capsule options. Internally the mic boasts
transformerless low-noise circuitry.
The A127 comes with a standard Audix
DCLIP and a small foam WS90 windscreen
inside a molded nylon case. An optional
SMT25 shock mount is also available ($39).
Linear capture
The mic's 10 Hz - 20 kHz frequency response
is exceptionally flat and linear until
its gentle 2dB drop off at 12 kHz. Also,
according to its published specs, the omni
pattern is consistent and natural up to 4 kHz
to 16 kHz, where the polar pattern gently
shifts toward a wide/subcardioid response.
The A127 has a high SPL level, low
Audix A127
Omnidirectional Metal Film
Condenser Microphone
Rich dimensional clarity in a new
top-flight pencil condenser
REVIEW BY PAUL VNUK JR
he A127 is the latest microphone from Audix. This high-end
measurement-rated omni-directional pencil condenser microphone
is built in the USA and designed to capture sound with the utmost
precision and accuracy.
condenser mics like previous measurement
models, the petite Micro series,
the SCX1 and ADX51. Where small-diaphragm
Audix mics typically strike a
balance of sound and affordability, the
A127 aims at an elite microphone class
inhabited by names like Earthworks,
DPA, Neumann and Schoeps.
A metal film omni
The A127 measures 4.8 " x 0.74 " .
The top of the mic tapers down into a
1
/2 " Type 1 metal film capsule featuring
a 3µm diaphragm. The capsule is IEC
61094-4 compliant, which
gives
the
A127 its measurement qualifications.
T
Crafted in the Pacific Northwest
Audix first entered the microphone
game in 1984, and since 1991 the design,
fabrication, assembly and testing of
its microphones have taken place at the
company headquarters in Wilsonville,
OR. Audix is perhaps best known for its
dynamic i5 and D6, which many consider
the sound of the modern snare and
kick drum, respectively. Audix also offers
an extensive range of condenser models,
including the recently released A133 (reviewed
April 2021) and the A231 just
reviewed in our February 2022 issue.
The new A127 represents a significant
departure from past Audix pencil
42 RECORDING May 2022
distortion, sensitivity and low noise (see
spec box), making it a fantastic mic to
capture quiet and distant sources with
impressive clarity.
Sound
It's easy to assume that being a neutral,
flat omnidirectional mic will translate to
boring and clinical. If you have ever cycled
through polar patterns on your favorite
multi-pattern large-diaphragm mic, you will
also notice the omni mode usually translates
to a brighter and less weighted sound. That
is not the case with the A127. The neutral
clarity of the A127 is beautifully blended
with a smooth, evenly weighted richness.
Since this mic is free from any sculpting
or hyped frequencies, it does not possess
the forward top-end push present in many
modern condensers that we typically perceive
as clarity and openness. While it
does have a slight proximity effect if you
are right up on the capsule, sources do not
thin out as you move away from the mic.
Comparisons and use
My only other omnidirectional pencil
condenser is a no-name yet familiar silver
model that came free with a room correction
software bundle. To say there was
no comparison in sound and noise floor
would be an understatement. Instead, to
get my bearings, I did some recording
of congas, acoustic guitar, shaker, tambourine
and vocals alongside a Neumann
KM84, a RØDE TF5 and an Audix
M1255B Micro. With each of these models
being a cardioid microphone, this
RECORDING May 2022

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