The Aston Spirit is a high-performance switchable pattern microphone with two one-inch (1") gold-plated capsules. A switch on the microphone body allows you to switch between omnidirectional, cardioid and figure-of-eight polar patterns.
Its versatility makes it ideal for most instruments, and its qualities come into their own, especially on acoustic guitar and vocals. The hand-selected capsule is backed by a high-end transformer-balanced circuit made from the highest-quality components (such as WIMA capacitors), as used in boutique microphones that cost many times more than the Spirit.
The goal in designing the Spirit was to create a beautiful, open soundstage with radiant harmonics. This high-precision microphone produces amazingly natural and transparent-sounding recordings. It captures all the detail in the highs without the harshness that is characteristic of some condenser microphones. This high-quality sound is made possible by amplifier circuits designed entirely in-house, the use of solid materials for the tube and basket, and the in-house selection of purchased microphone capsules. Due to the consequent reworking of all product components, it was possible to do without superfluous components and to replace old familiar ones with new developments. In this way, the Aston Spirit achieves excellent quality made in the UK at an extremely consumer-friendly price.
This new version is finished in an attractive black and purple hammered finish and comes with a height-adjustable metal pop guard and elasticated spider.
The Aston Spirit features a distinctive waveform basket. This unique design not only looks good but also provides excellent protection for the capsule. Because of its shock-resistant, waveform design, if the microphone is subjected to strong vibrations, the microphone head can temporarily deform and return to its original position without damage. It also suppresses noise outside the recording axis, preventing your recordings from being affected by unwanted artefacts.
Built into the heads of Aston's vocal condenser microphones is an exclusive steel mesh pop filter. The random structure of the mesh allows the signal to be picked up to pass through but removes virtually all unwanted plosive sounds at the source. At the same time, it provides shielding against various wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, making the microphones particularly well-suited for electronically sensitive applications. This continuous fabric cage encompasses the entire capsule. It is made of stainless steel and can even be removed and washed.
Another unique component of the Aston Spirit is the custom moulded end cap with an integral XLR jack and stand adapter. No other microphone has anything like it. Because the internal damping system works so effectively, you can mount the mic directly on a mic stand with this interchangeable threaded adapter. The design of Aston microphones also makes them easy to repair and maintain.
Part of the beauty of our microphones is the unique finish of each individual cabinet. Instead of an assembly line paint job, each cabinet is given a finish that's as durable as it is beautiful by being barrel-finished for up to four hours.