Aston Microphones

Aston Microphones: The British Sound

“The only mainstream microphone company still manufacturing many of our products in the UK”, Aston Microphones aims to deliver the sound that shaped how the world heard British acts from the Beatles to Pink Floyd to The Sex Pistols. Through the use of locally sourced components where possible and re-thinking and re-engineering the idea of how a microphone should be made, Aston have created microphones that should be treated as musical instruments in their own right rather than just high quality devices for the capturing of sound. All of this while achieving efficient costing to pass over to you, the customer.

We’re going to take a look at three members of Aston’s microphone family; the Element, the Origin and the Spirit. All three of these models are large diaphragm microphones making each a center point of any studio setup at three different budgets.

The Element

The new kid on the block. The newest member to the family but by no means the one to be taken the least seriously, the Element features Aston’s very own Ridyon capsule. This is a new active moving coil technology developed by Aston utilising elements of all three main microphone types (dynamic, condenser and ribbon). The design captures the best quality of all three types while simultaneously reducing the drawbacks of each. This results in a cardioid microphone with the widest frequency response of any electromagnetic microphone ever made as well as having a ridiculously low self noise. The Element also features a proprietary shockmount and metal pop filter designed to all fit together in a simple yet elegant package. All of this at an astoundingly price that will allow many beginners to access the professional realm.

The Origin

The microphone where it all started. Though it may be unassuming in size, the origin can hold its own against many of the finest microphones in the market. Winning multiple awards for its careful balance of warmth, detail, depth and focus, the Origin features a 1″ gold evaporated capsule, cardioid pattern, low cut and pad switches, a crisp transformerless circuitry and Aston’s proprietary Wave-Form Spring Head grill, built in stainless steel mesh-knit pop filter and handy direct to stand mounting in the base of the microphone. Along with high-end components and refined circuit design, the Origin delivers the unmistakable workhouse mojo that set the standard for the Aston sound.

The Spirit

A high-performance microphone with a hint a vintage sparkle. The Spirit encapsulates Aston’s groundbreaking design and technology while capturing the essence of British recording going back to the late ’60s. Featuring many enhancements pioneered by the Origin, the Spirit breaks away with its vintage inspired transformer balanced design, mulit-pattern functionality and expanded dB pad range. These changes make the Spirit at home in any professional studio and ready for use on virtually anything from vocals to drums to electric guitar; all with an openky natural sound and a little something extra courtesy of that vintage harmonic content.

Something to keep in mind when purchasing an Aston Origin or Spirit is that they are each also available in a Black Bundle package including the Swift shockmount and metal pop filter set. Not only are these both designed with Aston’s dedication to innovation and quality in mind but also designed to hold most studio microphones present in the market. With a universal grabbing mechanism capable of holding microphones with a body diameter of 40-60mm, you can place your microphone securely in the shockmount and ready to go within seconds making it a no-brainer for any professional.

Aston Microphones Gear available from Marshall Music.