For this second Mario’s Mic of the month, I’m featuring the Audix OM6 dynamic vocal microphone. I particularly like its tone because of the airy quality of the high frequencies that is reminiscent of what is usually achieved with condenser microphones. I also like the secure, comfortable and balanced grip which generates little handling noise. I think you absolutely have to have an Audix OM series microphone in your hands to experience what I’m talking about! The OM6 and the Audix A140 headphones (featured in the picture) are the perfect gift to add to your Christmas list.

The OM6 is what I consider the most refined general-purpose mic of the OM range. The models with higher numbers are more specialized: the OM7 is designed for singers with a very loud voice and the OM11 is a modern reproduction of Audix’s very first microphone, the OM1. Like all models in that series, the OM6 uses a VLM capsule which refers to Very Light Mass diaphragm. That’s what allows the extended high frequency response compared to most dynamic microphones. The OM6 frequency response is very neutral in the midrange with the desirable “presence peak” above to put the voice forward. However, on this model it is tailored to avoid excessive sibilance for female voices.

The tight hypercardioid polar pattern of this microphone allows great rejection of sound coming from other performers on stage. Of course, it is not as forgiving as other vocal mics if the performer moves off-axis, but that’s a small price to pay for excellent resistance to acoustic feedback. With the OM6 you can crank the singer’s voice without the rest of the band!