After an incredibly successful and multiple award-winning 1st year in business, which culminates with a nomination for the prestigious NAMM TEC award 2017 for multi-pattern LDC ‘Spirit’, British manufacturer, Aston Microphones are extending their family of products with the addition of 2 key new products, the Aston Starlight and the Aston Shadow.
Aston Starlight
The Aston Starlight is the first ever laser targeting pencil microphone, allowing for recall of mic position in studio use. Starlight is also incredibly quick and easy set up in live applications. This truly unique and exceptional microphone also showcases Aston’s variable voice switching for sound contouring, a nearly indestructible build quality, a signature sintered head and Aston’s, now famous, tumbled 100% stainless steel chassis.
The Aston Sound
Starlight features a 20mm cardioid capsule hand-picked by a panel of more than 50 top producers in double blind listening tests conducted during 2016. As with the Origin and Spirit mics before it, Starlight went through a series of blind tests conducted with the aim to finding the consistently preferred sound when integrated into our custom electronics. Tests with more than 20 different capsules and a range of source material were performed, as well as comparisons with the market leading competitors, until, by a large majority, the panel chose the Starlight as the best and most consistent sound. It was this process that led us to the idea of implementing our proprietary ‘Voice Switching’ mode, since opinion amongst these top professionals was clearly polarised between vintage, and more modern sounding mics.
Starlight is currently in production and shipping late February 2017, and will be available as either a single mic with mic clip and wind gag, or as a stereo matched pair along with two custom Aston Rycote shock mounts, wind gags and a stereo mounting bar. The accessories will also be available to purchase separately.
Aston Halo Shadow
The Aston Halo Shadow is a sister product to the Aston Halo. With more than 5000 Halo sold in 2016, a clutch of awards and critical acclaim as ‘The best reflection filter money can buy’, the product is a huge success already, however many customers have asked Aston to do an all-black version to complement that range.
‘Shadow’ is therefore the answer to this question. Formed from the same patented PET felt but with charcoal black exterior and interior, Halo Shadow provides the exact same build and performance as the purple Halo, but changes the look and performance space from ‘bright and engaging’ to ‘dark and moody’.
- Hi Tech construction with patented PET felt
- British architectural design
- Radically improved Isolation
- Hemispherical ‘360’ filtering
- Much bigger surface area and depth of acoustic treatment
- More linear absorption and diffusion
- Incredibly Lightweight
- Proprietary ‘easy-mount’ hardware