Zug, CH (December 11, 2023) — Progressive metal trio Gracchus are an unlikely collaboration. With founder/singer/rhythm guitarist Bernhard Schnellmann and drummer Allan Murphy hailing from Switzerland, but lead guitar player Jeff Elrose calling New Jersey home, the combination of Swiss precision and American attitude creates a sound that’s hard to identify but easy to love — heavy as a Zurich vault door, but one that is swung wide open to welcome diehard metal fans and the merely metal-curious alike. They record their tracks themselves, including those from their latest EP Infectious. Both onstage and in the studio, Audix mics have played a vital role throughout their entire career. In a highly engaging interview for the Audix blog, Schnellmann and Murphy schooled us on the band’s genesis and success, and on how they use mics such as the D2, and D4 on toms; the D6 on kick drum; the i5 on guitar cabinets and snare; the OM7 on vocals; more i5s and the A133 in the studio, and most recently the new PDX720 studio dynamic vocal mic on upcoming sonic explorations.
In one highlight, Schnellmann recalls that his first use of an Audix microphone was due to a gig nightmare. “The first [Audix] mic I bought was the OM7, the live vocal mic,” he says. “I’d had another mic, and we had this gig in a weird club. There was a hot light on the mic, and due to the moisture in it, it sort of started boiling and just broke. I was like, ‘I want something high-end that doesn’t sound muffled, cuts through the mix, and that any audio engineer can work with.’ My sister bought the OM7 for me and said, ‘Now every time you play, you’ll have something from the family around.’ I loved how it sounded and we stuck with it.
“The OM7 has such good rejection as well,” adds drummer Murphy. “It rejects most of the ambient sound around the intended source. If I point it right at me, then the drums aren’t as loud, which is important because sometimes I sing and don’t want my kit bleeding into my vocal.”
The band has equal regard for the workhorse i5, with Schnellmann pointing out “It will play a major role in Jeff Elrose’s guitar sound. He likes a very brilliant top end. The i5 doesn’t sound shrill but it captures that perfectly, but keeps the heaviness, you know? We’ll use it live on his cabinet and in the studio, we plan to pair it with the A133 to be able to blend two mics.”
Audix’s latest and perhaps most innovative mic to date is the PDX720, a studio vocal mic that utilizes a dynamic circuit topology, as opposed to the usual condenser design associated with this application. Here, the band’s journey is just beginning, but in true Gracchus fashion, already breaking rules. “We have used the PXD720 already on both vocals and even guitar,” says Schnellmann. “Obviously, vocals are its main application. It will probably be my main studio vocal mic going forward.”
Whether they’re using a familiar staple or compelling new design, the band believes all Audix microphones share a common virtue. “If you stay within the Audix ecosystem, each mic is optimized for its type of source. They’re tuned out of the box, you put them up, aim them at the source, and you immediately have a great sound to work with. Engineers love it when you turn up with Audix because they know their job is going to be easier.”
About Audix
Audix began in 1984 and to this day their mission remains unchanged – to design, engineer and manufacture high‐quality microphones for the professional audio, live sound, recording and installation markets. With passion and ingenuity, the company strives to provide their customers with products that exceed expectations. The company’s headquarters in Wilsonville, Oregon is home for their research and development team, combined with an in‐house manufacturing facility. From concept to completion, the company prides itself on having high-performing products and a loyal customer base. www.audixusa.com
About Videndum Media Solutions
Videndum Media Solutions is a division of Videndum plc, an international group of companies serving customers in the growing content creation market. Videndum Media Solutions designs, manufactures, and distributes premium branded photographic and video equipment such as tripods; bags; filters; backgrounds; motion control; lights and microphones for professional and hobbyist photographers and video-makers; and content creators. Positioning Videndum Media Solutions as the leading global provider of accessories within the fast-growing digital multi-media content market, the portfolio includes the following premium brands: Audix; Avenger; Colorama; Gitzo; JOBY; Lowepro; Manfrotto; Rycote; Savage and Syrp Lab. All products are distributed on a direct basis in 11 markets across the world through Videndum Media Distribution, as well as many other markets through a network of qualified retail partners.
