Audix ADX51 Cardioid Condenser Instrument Microphonev

The Audix ADX51 is a small-diaphragm condenser microphone for instruments that need clarity, detail and a bit of space around the sound.

It is a very useful mic for cymbals, drum overheads, hi-hats, acoustic guitar, piano, strings and other acoustic instruments. The compact pencil-style body makes it easy to position, while the cardioid pickup pattern helps focus on the instrument you are trying to capture rather than everything else in the room or on stage.

If you are building a drum mic setup, recording acoustic instruments, or need a clean condenser mic for live sound work, the ADX51 is a very practical choice.

What Does It Actually Sound Like?

The ADX51 gives you a clear, accurate sound with plenty of detail.

On cymbals and overheads, it captures stick definition, shimmer and room detail without needing a huge microphone in the way. On acoustic guitar, it gives a crisp, natural response that works well for picking, strumming and more detailed playing. It also suits other acoustic instruments where you want clarity without the sound becoming too thick or cloudy.

The frequency response runs from 40Hz to 18kHz, so it has enough range to handle both body and brightness. The 14mm gold-vapour diaphragm helps give it that fast, responsive condenser character, especially on instruments with lots of attack and detail.

Useful Pad and Bass Roll-Off

The ADX51 has two very useful switches built in: a -10dB pad and a bass roll-off filter at 150Hz.

The -10dB pad is useful when you are miking louder sources, as it gives the microphone more headroom before overload. That can be handy on drums, percussion and louder acoustic instruments.

The 150Hz bass roll-off helps reduce low-end rumble, boominess and stage vibration. That is especially useful for overheads, acoustic guitar, speech, or any situation where you want to keep the low end cleaner and stop the mic picking up too much unwanted bass.

Who Is It For?

This is a good choice for drummers, recording musicians, live sound engineers, schools, churches, studios and anyone who needs a reliable condenser instrument mic.

It is especially useful as a drum overhead or cymbal mic, but it is flexible enough to cover a lot of other jobs too. If you only need a vocal mic, this is probably not the first choice. If you need a clean, detailed instrument condenser, the ADX51 makes a lot of sense.

Because it is a condenser microphone, it does require phantom power from a mixer, interface or preamp.

Key Features

Pre-polarised condenser instrument microphone
Cardioid polar pattern
Ideal for cymbals, drum overheads, acoustic guitar, piano, strings and percussion
40Hz–18kHz frequency response
14mm gold-vapour diaphragm
-10dB pad for louder sources
150Hz bass roll-off filter
Clear, accurate response for stage, studio and broadcast use
Compact pencil-style body for easy positioning
Precision-machined brass body
Durable black E-coat finish
Steel mesh grille
Gold-plated XLR connector
Requires phantom power
Manufacturer code: AX-ADX51
Leisuretec code: ADXADX51

Specifications

Brand: Audix
Model: ADX51
Manufacturer Code: AX-ADX51
Leisuretec Code: ADXADX51
Type: Small-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Transducer Type: Pre-Polarised Condenser
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 40Hz–18kHz
Diaphragm: 14mm Gold-Vapour Diaphragm
Pad: -10dB
Bass Roll-Off: 150Hz
Output Impedance: 100Ω
Sensitivity: 17mV/Pa at 1kHz
Maximum SPL: 132dB
Maximum SPL with Pad: 142dB
Power Requirement: 9–52V Phantom Power
Connector: 3-Pin XLR
Body: Precision-Machined Brass
Finish: Black E-Coat
Grille: Steel Mesh
Recommended Use: Cymbals, Drum Overheads, Hi-Hat, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Strings, Percussion and Broadcast Applications

What’s Included

1 x Audix ADX51 cardioid condenser microphone

Not Sure If This Is the Right Microphone?

The ADX51 is a strong choice if you need a detailed condenser mic for cymbals, overheads and acoustic instruments.

If you need a close mic for toms or snare, a dynamic drum mic may be more practical. If you need a kick drum mic, you will want something designed for low-frequency punch. But if you want clarity, detail and accurate instrument capture, the ADX51 is a very useful mic to have in the locker.

If you are building a drum or studio microphone setup and are not sure what you need, get in touch and we will help you put the right combination together.