Aston Spirit Multi pattern Studio Condenser Microphone

Wave-form mesh head

The Spirit has Aston's signature wave-form mesh head. This unique design not only looks great, but delivers an unprecedented degree of protection for the heart of your microphone, the capsule. The shock resistant wave-form design allows the head of the mic to distort if given a heavy knock, and then return to its normal position, without any damage at all. It also offers a degree of off-axis rejection, helping to eliminate unwanted artifacts from your recordings.

Built-in Pop filter

Aston’s vocal condenser microphones have an exclusive mesh-knit pop filter built into the wave-form head. The random weave allows sound to pass while virtually eliminating unwanted plosives at source. It also shields against multiple wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation making our microphones ideal in critically sensitive electronic applications. This completely encapsulating, single piece, mesh cage is formed in stainless steel, so won’t rust with use, and can even be removed and washed.

End Caps

Yet another unique design element of the Aston Origin is the use of custom molded end caps with integrated XLR and stand adapter. No other mic has this. Because the internal shock absorption system is so good, you can mount the microphone directly to a stand via this built in, and interchangeable thread adapter. The design also makes Aston microphones extremely easy to repair and maintain.

Chassis

Part of the beauty of Aston microphones is the custom finish of each chassis. There are no mass-produced paint job finishes here. Instead, each chassis is individually tumbled for up to 4 hours to give it a very hard-wearing, and extremely beautiful, finish. To perfect the look, each microphone is separately engraved with its legends, and Aston's brand mantra, ‘The art of performance’.

PCB

• Superbly balanced mix of discrete and integrated electronic circuitry.
• Armonised circuit stage arrangement for easy integration from phantom power input circuitry to capsule voltage bias.
• A novel non-linear voltage/current source rectification to provide controlled amplification and smooth, clear audio.

Eco-friendly packaging

Aston have put their hearts and minds into creating the most beautiful performance pieces possible with each product they make. When it comes to packaging, they believe simplicity is king. Protective, re-useable, environmentally sensible packaging that doesn’t cost the earth.

Specifications

• Transducer Type: Condenser
• Acoustic Operating Principle: Pressure Gradient
• Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz (+/-3dB)
• Equivalent Noise Level: 14dB A-Weighted
• Sensitivity at 1kHz into 1kohm: 23.7mV/Pa
• Sensitivity at 1kHz into 1kohm: 23.7mV/Pa
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio (rel. 94dB SPL): 80dB A-Weighted
• Polar pattern: Omni/Cardioid/Figure-of-Eight
• Pad Switches: -20dB/-10dB/0dB
• Low-Cut Filter: 80Hz
• 48 Volt Phantom power (+/- 4 Volts) is required for operation

Reviews:

• Ask Audio – “The Spirit offers all the classic detail and richness of a high-quality large-diaphragm condenser at a very reasonable price point.”
  
• Audio Media International - “… this is a phenomenal product that will stand up against microphones ten times the price”
• Bonedo - “What a sound! …Aston has managed to raise the bar of sound performance even further upwards…Thoroughly recommended!”
• Estrada - “The Spirit proved to be an excellent sounding mic, high quality, high functionality and application range.” (google translated)
• Future Music – “The Spirit treads into C414 all-rounder territory, thanks to switchable polar patterns, and a good balance of smooth low end and detailed upper regions, with just enough twinkle to stand out before reaching for the EQ.”
  
• Gearslutz - “Noel Gallagher has been complimentary about the Spirit; I really understood his enthusiasm when I tried it
• Guitar Interactive Magazine - “The Spirit has a very natural open sound with just a little upper-end lift that adds a hint of air, and a smooth, almost “finished” sound that’s a pleasure to record.”
• Inside Audio - “…certainly comparable to microphones in the higher price range…”
• Interface - “I fell for this microphone, and that’s an understatement!”
• KR Magazine “The singer immediately preferred the Spirit to the Telefunken AR70….The Spirit is outstanding... a tour de force!"
  
• MusicOff - “On the acoustic guitar the Spirit widens your eyes: detail, presence, warmth, "width". A fabulous victory for this microphone.”
  
• MTM – “The Spirit is virtually a must-have.”
  
• Sound On Sound – “The Spirit stands up well against more costly US‑made boutique mics…”
  
• Studio Magazine - “…uncompromising quality”
  
• MMPORG - “The single best condenser I’ve ever used for streaming”