Aston Microphones
Aston Starlight
Small-diaphragm condenser, cardioid, end-address, with a laser sight and three voicings
Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.
Power P48 (48 V ±4 V).
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −27.5 dBV/Pa computed
- Self-noise
- 15 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 53%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 54%
- Max SPL
- 130 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 18%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 16%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
- Released
- 2017
vs 104 end-address condensers
Quieter than 62% of 104 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-address condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 110 end-address condensers
Takes louder sound than 11% of 110 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-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 manual, p. 14.
"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 manual, p. 15. Approximate
"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 dB.
In practice
All specs
| From the manual | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | 20 mm gold-sputtered"The 20mm gold sputtered capsule feeds into custom designed transformerless electronics". | p. 14 |
| Sensitivity | −27.5 dBV/Pa (42.1 mV/Pa)1 kHz into 1 kohm. Not stated by the manufacturer: Stated as 42.1 mV/Pa; converted: 20·log10(0.0421) = -27.5. | |
| Self-noise | 15 dB(A)"Equivalent Noise Level: 15dB A-Weighted". | |
| Max SPL | 130 dB SPL0.5% THD, no pad; also 140 dB SPL, 0.5% THD, -10 dB pad; also 150 dB SPL, 0.5% THD, -20 dB pad. "Maximum SPL for THD 0.5%: 130dB/ 140dB/ 150dB"; matched to the pad positions 0/-10/-20 dB by us. | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 79 dBA-weighted, re 94 dB SPL | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz±10 dB. "20Hz - 20kHz (+/- 10dB)". | |
| Powering | P48 (48 V ±4 V)"48 Volt Phantom power (+/- 4 Volts) is required for operation"; it also drives the laser (p. 15). | |
| Low cut | off, 80 Hz, 140 Hz"Low-Cut Filters: 80Hz, 140Hz"; "3-position Low-Cut Filter" (p. 12). | |
| Pad | −10 dBalso −20 dB, second position. "Pad Switches: -20dB/-10dB/0dB". | |
| Switches | voice: Vintage, Modern, Hybrid"3-position voicing switch: Vintage, Modern and Hybrid settings" (p. 12), "accessed via a switch on the microphone body". | |
| Connector | XLRThe laser is "driven by 48V phantom power provided via the XLR cable". | p. 15 |
| Weight | 251 g"Product weight 251g"; accessories 52 g. | p. 12 |
| Dimensions | 26 × 181 mmWidth × length; 36 mm wide across the laser housing. | |
| Voicings | Vintage: "some subtle low end lift while gently rolling back the extreme highs". Modern (middle position): "some airy high-end lift". Hybrid: "nominally flat response but with just a little low end lift". Made "at the input stage of the mic amp rather than simple post-EQ" | p. 14 |
| Laser | Class 2, 650 nm, beam 10 × 10 mm at 5 m, max. average power 0.9 mW; powered by phantom; switch I/O; not to be left on in use | p. 15 |
| Laser label | 655 nm, max. average power 0.634 mW; complies with IEC/EN 60825-1:2014 and 21 CFR 1040.10/1040.11 | p. 16 |
| Head | Sintered metal head; 1.5 mm laser-cut, etched stainless steel chassis | p. 12 |
| Electronics | Transformerless | p. 14 |
| Stereo pair | Starlight Stereo Pair: two mics with a mounting bar, two clips and two windscreens (502 g) | p. 12 |
| From the Recording Hacks page | ||
| Released | 2017 | |
Documents
- Aston Microphones Owners HandbookOrigin, Spirit, Starlight, Stealth, Element, accessories, Halo
- Aston Microphones Starlight | 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.