Audix OM7

I have been using this microphone live for a couple of years, I would guess at around 70 gigs. It is not the best sounding microphone maybe, but the feedback rejection is really amazing in my experience. It takes some getting used to since you have to be really close to the microphone because of the pick up pattern, but that is why it rejects other sounds on stage. But be sure to practice this, since the pick up pattern is so tight it can actually reject the sound coming from your nose if you have the wrong angle, resulting in a stuffed nose sound.

I use a lot of effects on my vocals and that is why it is important for me to not have any other sounds leaking in to the mic, especially in smaller venues where the acoustic treatment might not be the best and a lot of the out sound gets to the stage as well.

And the build quality is really fantastic, it has been through a lot and the grill doesn't even have a dent.

Like the slim design and the black grill as well, plus it is easy to clean.

Bought it beacuse of feedback problems in our small rehearsal room. We play LOUD metal and it was impossible for me to push vocals' volume through amps&drums because feedback occured directly (especially with reverb/delay). Also, I was hearing way too much of the instruments through my in-ears monitors.

Now all those problems are solved. I was a bit afraid about that extra gain required, but I don't really have more on the mixer that with my old SM58.
Also, it is very solidly made... and extremely aesthetic. Really love the design: all black, minimalist yet elegant curved lines. Wow!

Hovewer, it really requires some discipline from the singer. The angle has to be stable and I must almost eat the mic ;) but that is not a big price for the comfort of growling as I want.

Totally recommend for metal vocalists.

First things first, this mic is extremely well built. Very solid Audix build quality. The body is weighty, the XLR connection doesn't budge and the grille is very strong.

The clarity is pretty good, but being a hyper-cardioid mic with the capsule very near the grille, you tend to come across a LOT of proximity effect.

This mic sounds great once high passed and processed, but won't sound as good as other stage dynamics straight out of the box.

Good for vocalists with good mic technique, but doesn't sound good on vocalists who swerve on and off axis. The level and tonal change is very dramatic unless axis/distance remain very consistent.

Off axis rejection is very very good and gain before feedback is the best I've seen. Very useful indeed on loud stages.

Dave Rat (live engineer for Blink 182 etc.) has a great video demonstrating the off axis rejection of this mic here >>> , I would only recommend using this mic if you are/you are working with a vocalist who understands the principle of mic polarity and proximity effect and is fighting against high stage volumes.

In most cases, you will get better results from an SM58 (less proximity effect and less off axis colouration), but if you are woking with an experienced stage singer with good mic technique on a loud stage - no other mic will do the job better than an Audix OM7.

this mic has pros and cons.. i start with the pros...

the mic litterally NEVER FEEDBACK its amazing.. shure beta starts to feed back like by only the 1 third of audix volume ..
2 very solid and pretty

cons..
sound is not that good

1proximity effect its ok if you get used to it.. and sing very close

2 high frequencies are not that clear... there is like a bell ring at 8k and
above 8 there is no clarity as it is on beta58 for ex

lows are clean and very good but thats only what it has

imagine singer changing from chest voice to head voice and sounds the same :D lol...

NEEDs much of de-ess and the air transparency resistance is rediculus..

the most serius problem is that air from singer penetrates the capsule and makes noise is the worst part.. i think they can do better at the sounding

but overal i dont think there is ANY other mic that has less bleed and better feedback rejection than this.. so GOOD job at that...

This is a great addition to my microphones, it has a slick look to it but most of all it sounds unbelievable, I also like how it wont scratch easily so after having this for a year it still looks brand new.

I had a condenser mic (Beta 87C) and when I played in the band I would get massive amounts of feedback, so I knew I was using the wrong microphone.

I heard about the Audix OM7 and its pick up so I said I'd try it out and now I'm able to push the volume and get so much out of it, I couldn't get feedback if i tried.

Also being close to a drummer and using IEM was awful with the condenser but now I'm getting nothing from the kit.

You really have to sing into this mic or it won't pick you up so there is a certain amount of discipline required when using this. But over all the sound quality is beautiful, It's very warm sounding.