User Manual

are recording. When recording vocals a low-cut lter will reduce

rumble from trac noise or from vibrations passing up the mic

stand from the oor and will also compensate for the bass lift

that occurs naturally when a cardioid pattern mic is used close

to the mouth. It can also help reduce the eect of ‘popping’

when enunciating M, P and B sounds, though a separate pop

screen is to be recommended where the singer works close to

the microphone.

General Care

While Aston microphones are amongst the most durable

capacitor microphones on the market, they should still be

handled with care. If cleaning is required, use only a damp cloth

or pre-moistened screen wipe pads and avoid harsh or solvent

based cleaners. Also never spray any type of contact cleaner or

polish near the capsule or basket area.

The high impedances inside capacitor microphones make them

susceptible to moisture or condensation, so if you hear any

strange crackling sounds, leave the mic to dry out in a warm

room. This is particularly important when moving a microphone

from a cold vehicle to a warm studio where a vocalist’s damp

breath can otherwise cause problems. Once dried out the

performance should return to normal.

Obviously dropping microphones is to be avoided but one

advantage of the Origin and Spirit basket design is that the

outer Wavespring is designed to deform if subjected to a knock

or impact, thus absorbing much of the energy. This can easily

be pushed back into place making dented baskets a thing of the

past. When not in use, it is good practice to store microphones

in their boxes or to cover them with a plastic bag to avoid the

ingress of dust.

When using a typical boom stand, make sure that the boom

is aligned with one of the three legs as this provides the most

stable conguration and reduces the risk of toppling.