{"id":5254,"date":"2023-07-22T18:52:44","date_gmt":"2023-07-22T18:52:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/soundref.com\/?page_id=5254"},"modified":"2024-02-19T09:40:54","modified_gmt":"2024-02-19T09:40:54","slug":"aston-origin-review","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/soundref.com\/aston-origin-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Aston Origin Review"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Brilliance Unleashed: Aston Origin Review<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
A masterclass in original British design and innovation<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Reviewed by:<\/strong> Paul Narang
Review date:<\/strong> July 2023
Current price: <\/strong>Under $250<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Aston Origin cardioid condenser microphone<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Aston Origin Review<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
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Pros:<\/strong><\/td>Cons:<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Clear detailed sound
Affordable
Durable
Stylish and unique<\/td>		Perhaps too bright for some
Low cut filter is very strong<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Best deal on Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Aston Origin Review<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Aston Microphones is a British firm who are relatively new to the microphone market. But their first release, the Origin mic has already made a strong impression.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This quirky fixed cardioid condenser offers a combination of bright, detailed sound with an eye-catching steampunk design.  Great on vocals and instruments, the Origin is a worthy addition to both the home and professional studio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is it?<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Established in 2015, Aston Microphones haven\u2019t been on the scene for very long.  But in that short time their microphones have already won numerous awards and gained a great reputation.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Aston Origin – the art of audio<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Aston describes themselves as one of the only mainstream microphone manufacturers still making many of their products in the UK.  They’re known for involving experts from the British music industry in their extensive listening tests. And from these tests, choose the best sounding capsules and electronic components for their microphones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Aston Origin microphone is a cardioid condenser mic with an extremely affordable price tag. It’s suitable for home studios and should be on the list of anyone looking for a mic within a midrange price bracket.  The Origin has a clear, even sound which offers some versatility in the studio – fairing well on a range of instruments as well as male and female vocals.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Aston Origin – a British innovation<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Despite the eye-catching styling, the basic design is pared-back and simple. When it comes to features, it has a -10dB pre-attenuation pad, and a high pass filter switch (also called a low cut).  And the design incorporates a built-in mesh pop-filter to help reduce plosives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aston Microphones is clearly a manufacturer with big ideas and a passion for British sound and design.  But is this just marketing hype, or does the Origin hit the mark? Let\u2019s see how it performs in the Aston Origin review.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

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In the box<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Origin comes in a nice recycled box – they’re clearly considering the environment. It’s perfectly adequate for storing the mic away on a shelf in the studio. As well as the microphone, there’s a \u215d\u201d to \u215c\u201d stand adapter.  That’s it I’m afraid!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Origin microphone in the box<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Aston Origin Polar pattern<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The cardioid polar pattern of the Origin creates a heart-shaped sensitivity zone in front of the microphone. It functions as you’d expect from a microphone, capturing the majority of the sound from the front and significantly less from the rear and sides. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cardioid pattern is ideal for home studios lacking comprehensive acoustic treatment<\/a> as it enables you to capture just the sound of a vocalist or instrument, while minimising noise and reflections from the surrounding environment.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Cardioid pickup pattern<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Take a look at the diagrams below to see how the cardioid pattern changes on the Origin, depending on the frequency of the sound being recorded. The lower frequencies, up to about 500Hz can be picked up from all sides of the mic to some extent. The rounder shape you can see here is called subcardioid: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Origin polar pattern at different frequencies<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n
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In the higher frequencies, the cardioid heart shape becomes more distinct. In the highest frequencies it begins to resemble a figure of 8 pick up pattern:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Aston Origin polar pattern at different frequencies<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
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Phantom power for the Aston Origin?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Being a large diaphragm condenser microphone, the Origin does require phantom power. Phantom power is a mild voltage current supplied to the microphone from a mic preamp, mixing console, or audio interface. It’s transported via an XLR cable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your audio interface or mixer lacks phantom power, there is an alternate method: attach the Origin to an external 48 volt phantom supply and then connect the phantom supply’s output to the mixer or audio interface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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XLR female socket next to the mic stand socket<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Connecting the Aston Origin<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Origin microphone needs an XLR cable for a direct connection to the audio interface or mixer. XLR connectors, the industry standard for professional studio gear, are ‘balanced,’ which means they provide protection against interference over longer cable runs. XLR cables are the only type of cable capable of delivering phantom power to a microphone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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More about cables here<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Origin Design and Build <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The striking aspect of the Origin, which really makes it stand out from all the other studio mics, is the unique design. This mic looks lovely, making it a great mic to have on view for music videos or photo shoots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The chassis is made from stainless steel with a tumbled finish, giving it that unique industrial-style finish.  On the base section there’s an embossed logo, and laser-etched text reading ‘Origin’.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upper half of the mic incorporates what Aston call the ‘waveform spring head’.  It’s a decorative metal lattice surrounding the capsule, which not only looks cool, but has practical value.  The mic is shock resistant, designed to distort if dropped or knocked.  It can then simply be reshaped afterwards by rolling the mic on a flat surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Distinctive and unique design of the Aston Origin<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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The waveform spring head design also has another unique advantage. It bypasses the need to have vertical support posts around the capsule.  These can reflect or refract sound, with the potential to cause high frequency peaks and troughs in the EQ curve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Behind the waveform structure there’s a stainless steel wire mesh weave.  This acts as an integrated pop filter, to reduce plosives. The capsule inside the microphone is held in place by internal shock suspension. This will help to reduce any unwanted stand noise and vibrations.  You can of course also buy an external shock mount and pop filter for even more noise reduction and plosive rejection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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-10dB pad switch on the Aston Origin<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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The Origin has two switches: a -10dB pre attenuation pad, which is useful for recording louder instruments such as horns and drums.  It also has a high pass filter switch, rolling off the bass below about 80Hz. This is useful for helping to tame the proximity effect, or to counteract particularly bass heavy instruments and voices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the base of the mic, the XLR connection and microphone stand thread is built into the housing. It’s another unique design feature, and eliminates the need for a microphone clip.  Overall, the microphone exterior feels sturdy and durable in the hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Aston Origin Dimensions and Weight<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Aston Origin dimensions and weight<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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The Origin is a nice compact size, less tall than many other cardioid condenser mics.  The hefty weight reflects the solid build quality, and reminds me of its durability. It’s heavier than others, but certainly not too heavy to carry around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n