ASTON MICROPHONES ORIGIN User guide

1
Owners Handbook

2

3
On behalf of the whole team at Aston Microphones I’d like to
thank you for investing in your Aston product.
Our microphones are designed and built in the UK to the most
exacting standards. Every Aston product is individually tested
at each key stage during manufacture to ensure reliable and
consistent performance, and the most musical sound capture
possible, so we’re sure that your new baby will provide you with
many years of perfect service.
Aston microphones are built using a tumbled stainless steel
body so there is no paintwork to chip or scratch and legends
are laser etched so will never wear o. Our packaging has been
designed to save space, and focus on being as environmentally
sustainable as possible, using 84% recycled materials and being
100% recyclable.
Your Aston microphone has been voiced and tuned following
extensive blind listening tests by a panel of some of the biggest
names in British music recording and production. Only when an
overwhelming consensus put one particular combination of
capsule and circuitry way out in front of both competing
microphones and our other prototypes did we approve the designs.
We hope you enjoy what we’ve created, and thank you for
supporting our brand
James Young
Aston Microphones
Hitchin, UK
Thank you!

4
Aston Origin & Spirit ................................................ 5
Aston Starlight & Starlight Stereo Pair .................. 12
Aston Halo & Halo Shadow ..................................... 18
Using Your Aston Microphone ............................... 21
Microphone Terminology & General Care ............ 26
Please register your product to extend your 2 year limited
replacement warranty to 3 years, free of charge.
You’ll be automatically given membership to our exclusive Aston
Owners Club once you’ve registered here:
www.astonmics.com/owners-club
Aston Owners Club
Contents

5
Weights & Measures
Features:
• Wave-form mesh head - this unique design provides shock
absorption to protect the capsule, with elastic mesh memory.
• Built-in pop lter using the latest stainless steel mesh-knit
technology.
• Direct to stand microphone mounting option.
• 2mm, solid stainless steel, laser-cut and etched chassis.
• Capsule - The Aston Sound - developed by professional artists,
engineers and producers. (www.astonmics.com/the-aston-sound)
• Hi-Spec PCB and electronic components.
• Eco-friendly packaging. Well-designed, re-usable and
recyclable packaging.
Product length 125mm 4.92in 175mm 6.89in
Product width 54mm 2.13in 54mm 2.13in
Product weight 450g 0.99lb 625g 1.38lb
100% recyclable
and biodegradable
card box
(84% recycled bre)
72g 0.16lb 72 g 0.16 lb
100% recyclable
and biodegradable
card sleeve
22g 0.05lb 22 g 0.05 lb
100% recyclable
non cross-linked
Ethafoam 150 PE25
insert
40g 0.09lb 37 g 0.08 lb
Aston Origin Aston Spirit
Aston Origin & Spirit

6
The Aston Origin is a high-performance cardioid pattern capacitor
microphone utilising a one inch capsule with a gold evaporated
Mylar diaphragm. It is versatile enough to use with most
instruments, excelling on both acoustic guitar and vocals. Its
hand-selected capsule is teamed with high-end transformer-less
circuitry using only the highest quality selected components.
The Origin is designed to deliver a direct, smooth and intimate
sound with the perfect balance of warmth and clarity for a
natural-sounding and transparent recording.
Origin specications:
Transducer Type: Capacitor
Acoustic Operating Principle: Pressure Gradient
Directional Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz (+/- 3dB)
Equivalent Noise Level: 18dB A-Weighted
Sensitivity at 1 kHz into 1kohm: 23mV/Pa
Maximum SPL for THD 0.5%: 127dB
Pad Switch: -10dB/0 dB
Low-Cut Filter: 80Hz
48 Volt Phantom power (+/- 4 Volts) is required for operation
Aston Origin
Polar Pattern
Frequency Response

7
Cardioid Condenser
Origin
0dB

8
Aston Spirit
The Aston Spirit is a high-performance, switchable pattern,
microphone utilising a one inch, dual diaphragm, gold
evaporated capsule. A switch on the mic body selects from
Omni, Cardioid or gure-of-eight polar patterns. It is versatile
enough to use with most instruments in addition to main
and backing vocals. Its hand-selected capsule is teamed with
high-end transformer balanced circuitry using only the highest
quality electronic components. Its dual pad option allows it to
accommodate very high SPLs while its low cut lter cuts the
ultra-lows.
The Spirit is designed to deliver a beautifully open sound with
sparkling harmonics. This microphone is capable of delivering a
stunningly natural and transparent sound with just a subtle hint
of attery, capturing all the detail in the high range but without
adding the harshness that some capacitor microphones are
prone to.
Spirit specications:
Transducer Type: Capacitor
Acoustic Operating Principle: Pressure Gradient
Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz (+/-3dB)
Equivalent Noise Level: 14dB A-Weighted
Sensitivity at 1kHz into 1kohm: 23.7mV/Pa
Maximum SPL for THD 0.5%: 138dB
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
Frequency Response

9
Multi-Pattern Condenser
Spirit
-10dB
0dB

10
Polar Patterns
Figure-of-Eight
Cardioid
Omni-Directional

11

12
Weights & Measures
Features:
• Laser-alignment sight for placement accuracy and recording recall
• Sintered metal head - unique & innovative design protects
capsule and provides excellent acoustic properties
• Gold-sputtered 20mm capsule, chosen in blind tests by a panel
of 50 top producers
• PCB - market-leading electronic design
• 1.5mm, solid stainless steel, laser-cut and etched chassis
• 3-position voicing switch: Vintage, Modern and Hybrid settings
• Pad switch: -20dB/ -10dB/ 0dB
• 3-position Low-Cut Filter
• Stereo pair comes with full suspension kit including Rycote
shock mounts, mounting bar, windscreens & mic clips
Product length 181mm 7.13in 181mm 7.13in
Product width
(with laser) 36mm 1.42in 36mm 1.42in
Product width
(without laser) 26mm 1.02in 26mm 1.02in
Product weight 251g 0.55lb 502g 1.1lb
Accessory weight 52g 0.11lb 392g 0.86lb
100% recyclable
and biodegradable
card box
(84% recycled bre)
72g 0.16lb 164g 0.36lb
100% recyclable
and biodegradable
card sleeve
22g 0.05lb 55g 0.12lb
100% recyclable
non cross-linked
Ethafoam 150 PE25
insert
44g 0.10lb 130g 0.29lb
Aston Starlight Aston Starlight
Stereo Pair
Aston Starlight &
Starlight Stereo Pair

13
Small Diaphragm
Cardioid Condenser
-20 0 -10
Laser Voice Cut dB
Starlight
-20 0 -10
Laser Voice Cut dB
ight

14
Aston Starlight
The Starlight is a small diaphragm, end re condenser microphone
featuring a sintered metal head which combines extreme
durability with extraordinary audio transparency.
The addition of a laser not only makes precise alignment easy,
it also helps achieve consistency when re-establishing the
microphone position after de-rigging.
The 20mm gold sputtered capsule feeds into custom designed
transformerless electronics, with low noise and ultra-low distortion
as priorities. Using proprietary circuitry at the input stage of
the mic amp rather than simple post-EQ, we have also given
Starlight three dierent voices accessed via a switch on the
microphone body.
Vintage voicing introduces some subtle low end lift while gently
rolling back the extreme highs for a classic warm, smooth
sound. The ‘middle’ Modern setting adds some airy high-end lift
while the third Hybrid setting delivers a nominally at response
but with just a little low end lift. With its laser guide, sintered
head and multiple voices, Starlight is the most comprehensive
instrument mic package on the market today.
Starlight audio specications:
Transducer Type: Capacitor
Acoustic Operating Principle: Pressure Gradient
Directional Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz (+/- 10dB)
Equivalent Noise Level: 15dB A-Weighted
Sensitivity at 1kHz into 1kohm: 42.1mV/Pa
Maximum SPL for THD 0.5%: 130dB/ 140dB/ 150dB
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (rel. 94dB SPL): 79dB A-Weighted
Pad Switches: -20dB/-10dB/0dB
Low-Cut Filters: 80Hz, 140Hz
48 Volt Phantom power (+/- 4 Volts) is required for operation
Frequency Response
Modern
Hybrid
Vintage
80Hz HPF
140Hz HPF
dB
+20
0
-20
50Hz 100 200 500 1K 2K 5K 10K 20K

15
Starlight Laser
The Aston Starlight is equipped with a Class 2 Laser driven by
48V phantom power provided via the XLR cable from a mixing
console/mic preamp. It does not require any batteries.
The Starlight’s laser is emitted through the laser aperture located
on the top front of the microphone. Switch the Laser to the “I”
position to turn it on and “O” position to turn it o.
The Laser is not designed to be left on during use.
Starlight laser specications:
Wavelength: 650nm
Divergence (Spot Size or Beam Diameter): 10x10mm @ 5m
Maximum Average Power: 0.9mW
Polar Pattern
330°
300°
270°
240°
210°
180°
150°
120°
90°
60°
30°
0°
0
-5
-10
-15
-20
dB
125Hz
250Hz
500Hz
1KHz
2KHz
4KHz
8KHz
16KHz

16
LASER
2
Complies with IEC / BS EN 60825-1 (2014) and 21 CFR
1040.10 and 1040.11 except for deviations pursuant to
Laser Notice No. 50, dated June 24, 2007
Wavelength: 655nm
Max Average Power: 0.634 mW
IEC / EN 60825-1:2014
Manufacturers Name:
Manufacturers Address:
Location of Manufacture:
Date of Manufacture:
Serial Number:
Aston Microphones Ltd
3 Hunting Gate, Hitchin SG4 0TJ
United Kingdom
Laser Voice Cut dB
-20 0 -10
Laser Voice Cut dB
-20 0 -10
CAUTION
Though the laser is of a very low power, the following precautions
should be observed. Never aim a laser into the eyes or stare
directly into the beam and only activate the laser while setting
up the microphone position. Check that nobody is in the path of
the laser before switching it on. When working outdoors, ensure
that the laser is never aimed into the ightpath of aircraft or
into the audience. Use of controls or adjustments or perfor-
mance of procedures other than those specied herein may
result in hazardous radiation exposure.

17

18
Weights & Measures
Features
• Hi Tech construction with patented PET felt
• Radically improves isolation
• Double curved form improves isolation top and bottom as well
as at the sides
• Much bigger surface area and depth of acoustic material
• Better diusion, for both direct source and primary reections
to the rear of the lter
• Lightweight
• Proprietary ‘easy-mount’ hardware also accommodates your
microphone mounting hardware
Product depth 302mm 11.89in 302mm 11.89in
Product width 530mm 20.87in 530mm 20.87in
Product weight 1.85kg 4.08lb 1.85kg 4.08lb
100% recyclable
and biodegradable
card box
(84% recycled bre)
2.25kg 4.96lb 2.25g 4.96lb
100% recyclable
and biodegradable
covering box
0.8kg 1.77lb 0.8kg 1.77lb
Aston Halo Aston Halo Shadow
Aston Halo & Halo Shadow

19
Ultimate Reection Filter

20
The Aston Halo/ Halo Shadow microphone screen is designed to
address the shortcomings of other ‘reection lter’ style products
combining low weight with minimal audio colouration.
Designed, engineered and tested in the UK, the Halo combines
modern advances in material technology and production, cutting
edge patented manufacturing processes and rigorous acoustic
testing to bring you the ultimate in portable acoustic devices.
Using patented PET Felt and beautifully engineered hardware
components, your Aston Halo has been created to the most
exacting standards. PET felt is one of the most lightweight and
ecient, technical acoustic products available on the global
market today. An additional side benet is that PET acoustic felt
is made from 70% recycled PET plastic bottle material and so is
also very environmentally friendly.
The Halo is actually made from two PET felt shells, with 100mm
of PET acoustic foam sandwiched internally. These rigid shells
provide the structure as well as the absorbing surface, removing
the need for any internal support, making Halo incredibly light
and strong. Halo’s hardware allows easy, fast and stable mounting.
Every Aston Halo is individually tested during manufacture to
ensure reliable and consistent performance and the most
musical sound capture possible.
The Halo oers radically improved performance while maintaining
the green credentials of our manufacturing process (as with
our mic packaging which is 100% recyclable and 84% recycled
material). It also contributes both sonically and visually to the
creative environment, helping the artist to get the best from
every take. In our opinion, the Halo oers the very best possible
solution for portable room acoustics available today.
How to setup and use my Aston Halo
The Halo can greatly improve the quality of recordings made in
untreated or partially treated rooms. To get more information
about how to setup and use the Aston Halo reection lter
please visit:
www.astonmics.com/halo
www.astonmics.com/halo-shadow
Aston Halo & Halo Shadow