Aston Microphones Element Side-Fire Cardioid Microphone Bundle with Shock Mount and Pop Filter (ASTELEMENT)

Aston Microphones Element Side-Fire Cardioid Microphone Bundle with Shock Mount and Pop Filter

After 18 months of R&D and 3 months of public listening tests to develop the sound of our new mic, the Aston Element, we can finally reveal the full product details.

Aston Element, with its all new ‘Ridyon’ capsule technology for superior performance at low cost, ships complete with a custom shock mount and pop shield.

Like all Aston mics, Element incorporates a huge amount of innovation. Everything from the capsule technology, the chassis design, the magnetic pop filter and even the backlit-LED logo 48V phantom power indicator (or as we like to call it, cool light!) massively go beyond the limits of products normally sold at this cost level.

Specifications

• Side-fire single pattern cardioid microphone
• Unique capsule technology
• Active moving coil tech with super-fast transient response and extended bass frequency response
• Translucent purple backlit badge
• Mic. dimensions: 162.8 mm (h) x 58 mm (w)
• Mic weight: 275g

Not only is Element extremely affordable, but it will consistently outperform all mics in its class. This is something which you really don’t have to take our word for, because over 4000 customers from all across the world have helped us to define the sound of Element in peer-reviewed blind listening tests against the biggest brands in the business. During the course of this 3-month public testing series, we have developed the sound of the mic using data collected from these comparison tests, which have included major brand competitors such as Blue, Rode, AKG, Audio-Technica and Neumann.

We chose to put Element up against the mics we consider to be the best in their class, so we could push the boundaries of performance. All these brands make superb products, but our goal was to make a mic which is able, in blind tests, to be consistently voted as the favourite. Of course, this doesn’t mean it’s the ‘best’ because mic choice is very subjective. However, what it does mean is that the majority of people prefer the sound they get from Element compared with big brand competitors… and that means you can be absolutely confident that you’ll get superb results every time.

The secret’s in the capsule tech

The mic itself boasts brand new ‘Ridyon’ capsule technology, combining the best elements of all 3 existing classes of microphone. Utilising 48 V phantom power, the mic’s incredibly lightweight Active-moving-coil-diaphragm delivers high end condenser mic sensitivity and performance, with the punchy bass and rejection capability of a great dynamic mic and the open, natural, sound of a ribbon. Coupled with the extended diaphragm movement, the beautifully elegant circuitry design is able to handle about 150 times the maximum output from the capsule, so regardless of what you throw at the mic, the circuitry can handle it without distortion.

Freedom to perform

The capsule is significantly larger than most at 1.5” / 38mm. The design enables the diaphragm to move more freely and further than other microphones capsules, enabling it to handle significantly higher sound pressure levels before distortion. The freedom of movement also gives Element a far better bass response than other competing microphones, which is most noticeable in its ability to accurately reproduce low-mid frequencies, all giving the mic a warmer and more natural sound.

360-degree internal isolation

The Element capsule also has an internal 360-degree suspension system. Most, if not all, other microphones have the capsule mounted at a single point, making them more sensitive to external vibrations in a given direction. Element has its capsule suspended in a 360-degree elastomer suspension, giving superior protection from shocks – regardless of direction.

Near-perfect capsule acoustics

Both the capsule body and mic chassis have been designed (and extensively tested) to provide the flattest possible frequency response. The Ridyon capsule is unlike that of any other microphone, in that it uses acoustic treatment rather than metalwork to achieve this. The custom (and very retro-cool looking) grill acts as a diffuser for source audio entering the mic, and the contoured body shape and slimline monocoque capsule housing helps direct source audio to the capsule with minimal diffraction… put simply, the design of the microphone itself maximises the performance of the capsule inside.