The Audix FP7 is a complete 7-piece drum microphone package designed for drummers who need professional sound quality without spending a fortune. This kit includes microphones specifically tuned for each part of your drum kit: one f5 for snare, three f2 mics for toms, two f9 condensers for overheads, and one f6 for kick drum. Everything comes in a foam-lined aluminum carrying case for safe transport. Backed by a 3-year warranty on all Fusion Series microphones from Audix.
Who Uses the Audix FP7
The FP7 is built for working drummers, recording engineers on a budget, churches, schools, and anyone who needs a complete mic setup that sounds far better than its price suggests. If you’re tired of programming drums or renting mics for every gig, this package solves that problem. One recording engineer who’d been skeptical of budget mics said after hearing the FP7 on a session: “I was blown away at how good these mics sound. So much so that I bought a set for my own studio.”
This isn’t just for beginners. A drummer with 34 years of experience chose the FP7 after researching everything from cheap to expensive options. He needed mics that his various sound engineers could “dial in and get a great sound” quickly. After a year and a half of gigging, his verdict: “The quality of the sound for the price is fantastic.” These mics work equally well for live performance, studio recording, rehearsal spaces, and house of worship applications.
What Makes Each Mic Work
Each microphone in the FP7 is designed for a specific job, but they’re versatile enough to use on other instruments too. The f5 snare mic handles the punch and crack of a snare drum without needing much EQ. Its hypercardioid pattern isolates the snare from bleed, which matters when you’ve got cymbals crashing inches away. Players also use it successfully on guitar cabinets, timbales, and bongos.
The three f2 mics handle your toms—rack and floor. They’re built to take the abuse of loud, sustained hits. One studio that’s been using them reports they “capture the sound perfectly with barely any adjustment needed.” These f2s work on more than just toms: brass instruments, woodwinds, congas, and djembe all sound natural through them.
The f6 kick drum mic is where the low end lives. It’s designed with extended bass response down to 40Hz and can handle 140dB of sound pressure. A drummer who got mixed reviews about the f6 online made an important point: “I have zero issues getting a great, deep bass drum sound”—but you need to tune your kick drum properly. If you know how to tune your bass drum head for depth, this mic delivers. It’s also excellent on bass cabinets and cajons.
The two f9 condenser mics are your overheads, and they’re better than what comes in Audix’s more expensive DP series, according to one engineer. They capture cymbals with clarity and detail. The frequency response goes from 40Hz all the way to 20kHz, so you’re getting the full picture of your kit. One user mentioned: “The overheads picked up everything” after using them for back-to-back gigs with different bands.
How It Sounds in Real Situations
Multiple reviewers mention the same thing: these mics require very little EQ to sound good. One engineer said it captures the drums “perfectly with barely any adjustment.” That’s because each mic is tuned for its specific application. The f5 has a frequency response of 55Hz-15kHz, which is exactly where a snare drum lives. The f6 extends lower to capture kick drum fundamentals. The f9 condensers reach up to 20kHz for cymbal detail.
In the studio, engineers are comparing these favorably to microphones costing significantly more. One producer ran the FP7 through a Focusrite Liquid Sapphire preamp “basically running the sound dry without any effects” and got professional results. Another mentioned these mics “actually make my kit sound like I am in a recording studio and I’m not kidding.”
Live sound engineers appreciate how quick these are to dial in. The hypercardioid patterns on most of the mics help with isolation and feedback rejection, which matters when you’re dealing with stage volume and monitors. A live sound drummer mentioned: “Easy to use, easy to setup” after using them on consecutive nights with different bands.
Built to Last
These are Audix microphones, which means they’re built in the USA with zinc alloy bodies, steel mesh grills, and gold XLR connectors. They’re heavy—not in a bad way, but in a “this feels like quality” way. One player who’s been gigging with them for a year and a half mentioned: “I’ve dropped a few of them on a couple of occasions, no issues or visible damage.”
That said, there’s one consistent comment about the included mic clips: they’re functional but not great. Multiple reviewers suggest upgrading to Audix’s DVICE series clamps if you’re mounting on rims. The basic clips work, but they can buzz if you’re not careful with positioning. Consider budgeting for better clips if you’re particular about your setup.
Beyond Just Drums
Here’s something worth knowing: these mics work on a lot more than drums. The f5 is great on guitar cabinets. The f6 handles bass cabinets beautifully. The f9 condensers work well in stereo on acoustic guitars and other instruments. One engineer specifically bought the set for maximum “mic locker bang for the buck” because each mic pulls double duty on other instruments.
This versatility makes the FP7 a smart choice for small studios, churches with multiple needs, or mobile rigs where space and budget matter. You’re not just buying drum mics—you’re building out a usable mic collection.
What You’re Connecting
All mics use standard XLR connections. The dynamic mics (f2, f5, f6) don’t require phantom power. The f9 condensers need 12-48V phantom power, which any decent mixer or interface provides. Cable runs aren’t an issue—the transformerless design and low impedance mean you won’t get interference even with long cable runs from the drum riser to FOH.
Everything comes in a foam-lined aluminum road case that actually protects your investment during transport. It’s not just a cardboard box—it’s a case you can throw in a trailer or vehicle without worrying about damage.