Audix OM-2 microphone: the recipe for buying a great vocal mic.

In addition to my other endeavours, as a sound technician I work with at least 50 different bands a year. One thing that is changing from even 10 years ago is that musicians and vocalists are buying microphones rather than renting or counting on "house gear." All too often the microphones that performers have chosen for themselves are not ideal for their application, will not survive being dropped or were purchased based on an evaluation that was flawed in some way. For these reasons I hope the publisher will indulge me while I talk a little about how to evaluate mics in general and how I tested the Audix OM-2. CM readers are mostly singer and or players, many of whom may not be at the pinnacle of success (yet!) and who may hope to find equipment that works both on stage as well as in a recording studio. This makes sense right? WRONG! Any studio that has the audacity to take your money and does not have a selection of very high quality microphones on hand is a studio that you do not want to be recording in.

But what about my …