Aston Microphones
Aston Origin
Large-diaphragm condenser, cardioid, transformerless; side-address
Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.
Power P48 (48 V ±4 V).
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −32.8 dBV/Pa computed
- Self-noise
- 18 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 33%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 32%
- Max SPL
- 127 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 13%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 12%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
- Released
- 2015
vs 99 side-address condensers
Quieter than 13% of 99 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 107 side-address condensers
Takes louder sound than 19% of 107 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published max SPL, and each bar counts them; further right means it takes louder sound. This mic is in blue.
Instruments sources recommend it for most
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the handbook fr, p. 3.
"Réponse en fréquence" / "Frequency Response": no distance or measuring conditions stated. The frequency axis is irregular (see note).
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the handbook fr, p. 3. Approximate
"Courbe de directivité" / "Polar Pattern": two half-plots, 125 Hz to 1 kHz on the left and 2 kHz to 16 kHz on the right, rings labelled 0 to -20 dB. Measuring conditions not stated.
Approximate: reading error up to about 1.5 dB.
In practice
All specs
| From the handbook | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | 1 inch, gold-evaporated Mylar diaphragm"a one inch capsule with a gold evaporated Mylar diaphragm", "hand-selected". | p. 6 |
| Sensitivity | −32.8 dBV/Pa (23 mV/Pa)1 kHz into 1 kohm. Not stated by the manufacturer: Stated as 23 mV/Pa; converted: 20·log10(0.023) = -32.8. The product page says 23.7 mV/Pa, the Spirit's figure. | |
| Self-noise | 18 dB(A)"Equivalent Noise Level: 18dB A-Weighted". | |
| Max SPL | 127 dB SPL0.5% THD. "Maximum SPL for THD 0.5%: 127dB"; the pad position isn't stated. | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz±3 dB. "20Hz - 20kHz (+/- 3dB)". | |
| Powering | P48 (48 V ±4 V)"48 Volt Phantom power (+/- 4 Volts) is required for operation". | |
| Low cut | off, 80 Hz"Low-Cut Filter: 80Hz". Slope not stated; no curve for it. | |
| Pad | −10 dB"Pad Switch: -10dB/0 dB". | |
| Weight | 450 g"Product weight 450g". | p. 5 |
| Dimensions | 54 × 125 mm"Product width 54mm", "Product length 125mm": width × length. | |
| Electronics | Transformerless ("high-end transformer-less circuitry") | p. 6 |
| Head | Wave-form stainless steel mesh head with elastic memory, which absorbs shocks to protect the capsule; built-in knitted stainless steel pop filter | p. 5 |
| Mounting | Direct-to-stand mounting option | |
| Chassis | 2 mm solid stainless steel, laser-cut and etched | |
| ApplicationsAston | Most instruments; "excelling on both acoustic guitar and vocals" | p. 6 |
| From the Recording Hacks page | ||
| Released | 2015 | |
Documents
- Aston Microphones Owners HandbookOrigin, Spirit, Starlight, Stealth, Element, accessories, Halo
- Aston Microphones, Manuel de l'acquéreurOrigin, Spirit, Starlight, Stealth; French
- ORIGINproduct page
- Aston Microphones Origin | RecordingHacks.com
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Aston Microphones, unchanged, with its original address.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.