Mic Archive
Audix FireBall
Photo: Audix, from its spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy), p. 1.

Audix

Audix FireBall

Dynamic, cardioid, ultra-small ball-shaped instrument mic held in the hand, made for harmonica (also beatbox and accordion)

Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.

Type
Dynamic
Pattern
Cardioid
Sensitivity
−56.5 dBV/Pa computed
Max SPL
140 dB SPL
Impedance
280 Ω
Rated range
50 – 16k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the spec sheet, p. 2. Titled "Frequency response"; relative dB (axis labelled "dBm", +10 to -10). Distance, room and smoothing not stated.

Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.

Polar pattern

Polar pattern: from the spec sheet, p. 2. Titled "Polar patterns"; two plots, "Lo" (125 Hz to 1 kHz) and "Hi" (2 to 16 kHz), full circles, 0° at the right. Scale "dBSPL" from 0 at the outer circle to -36 at the centre. Measuring conditions not stated. Approximate reading error up to about 1 dB.

Compare with other mics

All specs

From the spec sheet
CapsuleVLM Type B (very low mass diaphragm). Printed "VLM Tyle B" in the table; the architect and engineer text says "VLM Type B", as does the 2009 sheet.p. 2
Sensitivity−56.5 dBV/Pa (1.5 mV/Pa), 1 kHz. Not stated by the manufacturer: Converted from "1.5 mV / Pa @ 1k" (20·log10(0.0015) = -56.5).
Max SPL140 dB SPL, at least ("≥140 dB"). "Maximum SPL ≥140 dB"; no THD figure.
Output impedance280 ohm, nominal, at 1 kHz; also 150 ohm, 2009 sheet. "Output Impedance 280 ohms"; the architect and engineer text: "equal to 280 ohms at 1 kHz". The 2009 sheet says 150 ohms.
Rated frequency range50 Hz to 16 kHz. "50 Hz - 16 kHz"; no tolerance given.
Poweringnone. "Power Requirements None".
ConnectorXLR-3 male, gold plated. "3-pin XLRm"; page 1: "gold plated XLR connector". The 2009 sheet: "Switchcraft® male XLR connector".
Weight128 g. "128 g / 4.5 oz".
Dimensions53.5 × 77.5 mm. Grille diameter × length: "21.5 mm in diameter at the base, 53.5 mm at the widest point on the grill and 77.5 mm in length".
Finishmachined aluminium, marbled anodised finish; steel mesh grille. "Machined Aluminum / Anodized"; page 1: "unique three stage marbled anodized finish", "dent resistant steel mesh grill".
Supplied accessoriesDCLIP nylon snap-on clip; P1 carrying pouch. "Supplied accessories". Optional: WS357 windscreen, CBL20 and CBLDR25 cables, CBLBP360 bodypack adapter cable, T50K transformer.p. 1
Off-axis rejection>23 dBp. 2
PolarityPositive pressure on the diaphragm gives positive voltage on pin 2 relative to pin 3
Guitar amp useLow impedance: into a guitar amp only through a low-to-high impedance transformer such as the Audix T50Kp. 1
Placement (Audix)Working distance 1-6 inches depending on the stage; keep 2-3 feet between micsp. 2
Uses (Audix)Harmonica (diatonic and chromatic), accordion, beatbox vocals; also percussion, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, flutep. 1
Warranty5 yearsp. 2
From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy)
Handling"Handles “cupping” without impacting sound quality"p. 1

Documents

Copies kept by Mic Archive, because manufacturers move and drop their documents. Each is © Audix, unchanged, with its original address.

Product page on audixusa.comRecording Hacks

Recommended for

Instruments whose sources name this mic, or an earlier version or variant of it.

Other mics