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Aston Spirit Mic Review / Test (Compared to AT2020, Origin, AKG C414 XLS)
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- čas přidán 15. 08. 2024
- Today I review the Aston Spirit, a multi-pattern condenser microphone from Aston Microphones. This is a “modern” sounding mic that is popular because it offers a clear, detailed, and articulate sound. I also include a comparison to the Audio Technica AT2020, Neat King Bee, Aston Origin, Shure KSM44a, and AKG C414 XLS.
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00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer
00:26 - Setup
00:41 - What’s in the Box
01:11 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
02:09 - Specifications
02:34 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
03:30 - Plosive Test
03:47 - High Pass Filter Demonstration
04:06 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
04:22 - Background Noise Test
04:42 - Untreated Room Test
04:56 - Shock Mount Bump Test
05:12 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
05:25 - Audio Technica AT2020 Comparison
06:04 - Neat King Bee Comparison
06:34 - Aston Origin Comparison
07:14 - Shure KSM44a Comparison
07:54 - AKG C414 XLS Comparison
08:48 - Music Test
10:06 - Pros & Cons
11:39 - Overall Thoughts
14:14 - Recommendation
15:17 - Outro
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Got addicted to your show. Owning 5 mics later including coming the 103. From my terrible audio to better. It's my new thing, Keep up the good work.
Welcome to the dark side my friend!
Holy shit I know you ur the marine guy
I've been scouring the internet for a comprehensive review on this mic! You uploading this video is perfect timing! Thanks!!! :) Great work as always! Keep safe and sane! :D
Dude it’s crazy how much this channel has grown, I remember you hitting 20k and thinking you made it. You’ve come so far😭
Oh wow you do still make videos
hi fluff
Holy crap the mighty Fluff watches Bandrew too
69
In the last few mic reviews and a two last series of bsp you said that you're filled tired. So I think that it will be good for you to take a break rather than burn out. we won't go anywhere if you don't release a video for a couple of weeks. Also thank u for such a good content as a reviews and bsp.
P. S. Sorry my english )
I bought an Aston Origin, mostly for vocals, but also trumpet recording. After hearing the comparison videos between the Spirit and the Origin, I realized they actually did sound different. I like the Spirit's sound a small bit more, but I can mostly fake the difference in frequency response by engaging the "Air" setting on my Focusrite. It's not exact, but it's rare I need to sound like I recorded a platinum album anyway, so I don't think anyone would really notice even if I mentioned it.
I swapped out the SE Reflexion Space I was using with it for the Aston Halo. I wasn't convinced there'd be much of a difference, but the Halo actually takes care of more ceiling sound, since it has the overhang. It also acts more as a diffuser with the corrugated pattern, rather than the flat surfaces on the SE Reflexion.
You addressed the sag issue, which I'd heard a lot about. I opted for a $25 cheapo shockmount off Amazon that screws into the threading. I saved myself...a lot, in comparison to the Aston shock mount. I thought the texture on the black version would possibly alleviate the slippage, but...I guess not.
So far, I think you're the only person who's done an A/B video without any reverb and other processing, which Jesus Christ, I really appreciate.
Hey! Do you maybe remember which shock mount you got? Your comment helped a lot! Thank you!
@@Nyghtfall Yeah, I just pulled it up. Look for the "Auphonix" Blue Yeti shock mount, and you'll see it. There are a few vendors that sell it under a different name.
@@cktrumpet Thank you so much man!
I just discovered your channel and I have to admit, you make the most complete reviews in terms of scenarios! Thank you!
man does that mic sound so damn good, it looks absolutely gorgeous too.
I owe you a thanks. These reviews and the Bandrew Says channel have helped me tremendously work on my own audio. Keep up the great work. It really helps others.
The C414 is my personal favourite for decades, but honestly the Aston sounds very nice to me.
So happy I got the Spirit over the Origin, definitely could hear a difference in your test. The Spirit sounds so much richer in tone, the Spirit is definitely the winner.
my voice is naturally boomy in the low mids, should I still get the spirit over the origin?
@Cristo Fuentes no I’m short on money so I bought the se electronics se x1s. Best mic in that price range for me
I have the Spirit and love it! For anyone finding the issue with sliding down the shock mount, if you wipe the mic down with a microfiber cloth, and the small pads on the mount, it will grip as it should. No more issues. Must be a small amount of production grease causing the slip.
Mine is sliding too -> czcams.com/video/YcZiAFVfhsM/video.html
Thank you for your advice. I’ve been searching for a solution.
I will try to wipe the mic and pads and see if that will work.
Thank you for yet another helpful review. Sonically, I think the Spirit compared extremely favourably against the far pricier AKG. Seemed to my ear that this microphone did far better on spoken word than guitar and vocals. For Voiceover, you could set it to figure eight if you wanted that warmer sound. Nice all-round mic. I do agree that it would have been interesting to hear it against the NT1, though. Nga Mihi
Every time I see this mic I fall a little bit in love with it. That is one pretty piece of gear.
Bandrew, you're a legend. Been waiting for this review, thank you!! Keep up the great work.
Geez… came here directly from your review of the Sennheiser 421, this sounds so unpleasant and harsh by comparison that my ears are filing a police report for assault right now. And I actually really like this mic! It was a bad transition is what I’m getting at.
I think the Spirit sounds great, and I preferred it to the comparison mics.
You did a wonderful job reviewing this Mic. Full of great information and demonstration to prove what you had claimed. I just sold my Origin and I was kicking myself BUT your review of this mic sold me on it. I thought the Spirit outshone even the more expensive mics you demoed ..Thank you for this and Terrific job, as usual !
Proud owner of an Aston Stealth. This one is next on my list. Great review as a always.
I do enjoy watching you freak out about the sticker 😂
Man I binged your reviews when looking at mics and ended up with the origin being a brit! And its what I could afford but seriouslynjust appreciate all the review info. Its super worthwhile, cheers Bandrew !
I think this is the best I've heard your voice Bandrew! Been waiting for the Element review since I was involved in the mic tests...and this is such a great sound in comparison. Would be great to see a bump test with the mic directly mounted on a stand, as I'm curious on the difference with a shock mount!
would have loved to see the NT2-A in this comparison, since it's pretty close in price and also multi pattern. Thanks for the video as always ;D
Yes I've had a Spirit for over 2 years and I like it. It's my #3 go to mic.
what's your first and second?
@@sadpeopledeservegoodmusic2354 Neumann TLM49 & AKG414
@Cristo Fuentes Yes, why not? It's a very good mic for vocals.
I gotta say, I think the spirit sounded best ngl..that's some crazy good quality for the money man. I'm blown away..
Also, your song was awesome! You are a very entertaining guy!
"I hate myself, goodbye" lol
As usual a fantastic Job Bandrew! But
I was waiting for a shootout also with NT1, TLM 103, U87a and Lewitt LCT 440 and 441 :-)
Look, consider that in europe the Spirit costs around 330€ not so more expensive than the NT1 sold for 270€, as well as the Lewitt LCT 440 for 300€ and 441 for 400€ so they are competitors.
Moreover a lot of voiceover actors (maybe fun boys or not, who knows?) use it and love it, and compare it with those Neumann microphones.
It's a pity but it was an high quality review, the better one on youtube for this mic, then thank you!
my thoughts:
I preferred it to all the others, actually with the acoustic guitar I expected more presence in low frequencies, but I very appreciated the details and the absence of the boomie sound with the proximity effect, that we could find to others.
I appreciated the absence of a boost on higher frequencies, but keeping and open sound.
I hoped for a better environment sound rejection..
Do you suggest it for who has a not full treated room?
I just hopped over back and forth on different mic videos just so I could make my decision based on how "greetings earthlings" sounded. great job!
Nice. Thanks for the review. The mic has a great basic sound that gives me all the options I'd need. While I'm always a fan of neutral, the sound is so even that I could easily work with this for most applications.
Great review. Can't quite put my finger on it, but there was definitely a difference with the Shure KSM44a. It sounded clearer and brighter without sounding artificially enhanced.
That Aston sounds great with your singing voice!! wow!
i agree
I swear the Origin sounds better than the Spirit, although the highs might sound more harsh. In that case, the Spirit is probably best for your voice. The KSM44a sounds like the best to me, especially for my voice.
Spirit had more body . Origin was clear for the price
had this mic for a couple years, love it
I've been interested in these for a while. Thanks for the in depth look. I like stickers!
Spirit all the way in this demo
@Podcastage I was expecting this video to be perfect. You failed to disappoint! :)
Another great video - certainly seems like a multi pattern worth considering. The acoustic guitar sound really resonated with me.
I couldn´t agree more with you!! I believe this is a new modern standard for microphones, it just hasen´t hyped up enough yet..
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this mic. Happy recording!
The Spirit set in omni it's also quite a surprise. Almost like a different mic. Great video, as always!
True facts: Am British and settled down with my evening cuppa especially to watch this!
Boy I'm on the fence with this one. Currently using the NT1 for spoken word. Great mic, but a wee bit too flat for me maybe. I would love to compare the Spirit to the TLM 103. Borrowed a 103 for a few days... loved it but just can't justify 1100 bucks just to follow the "looky what I have" herd... Another great vid, Bandrew!
I'm actually here because I'm frustrated with how bad it sounds for rock vocals. You're right that it doesn't do "smooth". When hitting the mic with harsh vocals, something weird is happening around 4.5 khz, which sounds overaccentuated, phasey and broken, and can't really be fixed with eq.
I bought this mic because it looks awesome and has great reviews. Now I'm slowly easing into the thought that it's not the right one for me.
The AEA K whatever ribbon mic is incredibly smooth and versatile with good response across the board and sounds very natural. Don't have it yet but that is my next mic.
@@LTPottenger Thanks for the info. I got an AKG C414 XLS since, and it does what I was hoping for.
Good one dude, another mic to consider if I need a multi pattern mic in my locker. On a side note... that Neat King bee really holds its own against mics well above its price point. Got that based on your review. Thanks👍🏼
Yeah the King Bee is really crazy for the price and has been developing quite the cult following. Apparently they're working on a Gen 2 of the mic and hopefully it's as good.
@Podcastage Looking forward to the Gen2 as well, but worried how it will turn out with Skipper and the rest of his team now gone from Neat. Hopefully they don’t change too much. I’ll wait for your review when it comes out!
Thanks for this...I'm looking for a multipattern mic and was hoping to get comparisons to the Shure and the AKG (I was looking at the C314 but assume the 414 sounds very similar to that), both much more expensive mics...I'm glad to hear that this mic held its own (at least to my ears) against those. I was also considering the AT2025 which is a bit cheaper, but your demo of the AT2020 here showed it much more inferior than the Spirit. I think it's the Spirit ftw!
I loved my Aston spirit but unfortunately mine shorted out internally just after the warranty ended. Not that impressed with the build quality
i like how this dude spends his money to helps us to find ot what mirophone to get
Dude the most thorough mic test! Thank you
Absolutely amazing review. Thanks for sharing, bought this mic a while ago and have been using it extensively. I feel it is great for vocals and acoustic guitar but hard to use because it is so honest!
bro, your reviews are amazing!! thanks for everything
Thank you for making this informative video about different microphones. My favorite among your chosen ones is the Aston Spirit! :-)
Best mic for the value and actually way above its price
Who wants a collab with Julian Krause, thumbs up!!!
It would be a little peculiar given their differences in delivery. That said, it would be awesome hearing JK say "check the doobly-doo".
@@damon_aaron 😅😂😅😂
When are you gonna make an album full of songs where you sing about mics?
Honestly for the same price I would go with the vanguard v4 condenser microphone. For $400 dollars you get an amazing shock mount and a great sounding mic. Would love to see this mic getting reviewed in the future! Thanks for the videos they are extremely helpful.
Glee does band wagon mics only vanguard is not a mainstream mention mic I agree with u
great review. first time viewer. funny without being annoying. super!
I think the Aston Spirit compares well to the Shure ksm44a for the price gap. These two sound the best in the video.
I think this is the sound I’ve been looking for.
Don’t think just know
Thanks for your excellent tests, best on CZcams and great humor
I think the best one out of all those mics in here was the KSM44A, but the sound that the spirit provides at 550 bucks less, sure i am gonna consider it as the winner!
LonelyGirl 15!!!
Thanks for this great review! That´s exactly what I was looking for :-) Great job!
Not the biggest fan on how this mic looks but definitely feelin' that pop filter
I have to say the Spirit sounded the best. I have one as well...I was thinking about upgrading, but when I go back to listen to the Spirit, I'm like...nawww
Agree.
Compared to Spirit, my opinion:
At2020 - not natural and not full but also 4 times less
Neat King Bee - too boomy for vocal job i would say
Origin - highs are harsh, less bass freq
Ksm44a - not as detailed but fuller
Akg 414 - i liked the tone of Spirit more but it still sounded detailed and clear as it shall (also 414 is versatile machine)
I liked Spirit most. For the price its killer
well said buddy
Agreed. I have been researching mics for my voice for well over a month, and I think I may go for this Aston Spirit!
Actually the KSM44a is actually much cleaner sounding. The "detail" you hear on the Spirit is a combination of transformer saturation and more upper treble. The Spirit is very flattering on vocals, though, and possibly easier to fit in a busy track
I bought the Spirit as well. I think you made all the points I wanted to make with identical opinions. So I will just +1 on the replies here and agree whole heartedly.
I like the sound of the AKG
The Rode NT1 should have been at this party
idk, Rode mics are bad, nobody really cares
@@michaelsi6770 you CLEARLY are NEW to this channel. I won't even royally insult you for your ignorance....
@@michaelsi6770 I get that you don't like them, that's down to taste. However, that last statement is just wrong, dude.
@@somberone8259 Lmao it's not down to taste, Rode NT1 is legendary based on SPECS, not subjective BS.
@@KontryBoy706 Unfortunaley I own 2 Rode mics, and they are trash. Ironically 50+ y.o. SM57 beats any Rode mic, even today. Rode is McDonald's in the mic world. You clearly dose not have a teste if you like Rode.
Some comic genius in this video… very good!
I was hoping you would compare it to the RODE NT1, Neumann TLM 103 or the one they say looks a lot like, the Neumann U87...
absolutely me too
I hate to impose suggestions and expectations, but... I was also expecting at least the classic NT-1. TLM 103 would make sense too, yes.
I'd add also the Lewitt mics in that range of price
Came by for the sticker react, stayed for the 4 feet away from the microphone test.
I love those mics that Aston make. Worth every penny
This guy is so cool. Great job brother!
:)
Watching your videos I imagine a remake of the gas station scene from The Jerk:
"He hates these stickers. Stay away from the stickers!"
1. Shure KSM44a 2. Aston Spirit 3. AKG C414 XLS and the rest.... Greetings from Greece
I agree with you!
Hey! I really dig the channel, has been a huge help to me. Extremely informative. I am getting ready to sound treat my little recording room, and Im debating on ideas on how to put up the acoustic foam. In some of your vids i thought i saw some screws in the acoustic foam on your walls. Im curious how you chose to put up your acoustic foam. Thanks a ton, Really appreciate the videos!
Instalike, plz do more Lewitt mics. 550 DM, 840 DM, 940 CM
I really love your mic reviews! Please do the Aston Starlight!!
I am far from a mic expert, but the figure 8 mode was most impressive. In the radio world, we call this deep nulls.
The deep nulls meaning the large amount of side rejection?
@@Darkl0ud_Productions yes, exactly.
@@arconeagainisn’t that the poInt of the figure 8 pattern?
@@JoshBattershell I'm talking about how well it performed, it's rejection, the pattern. All mics, like antennas, will have different patterns and characteristics, and as this was a demonstration of the microphone's real time performance, I commented on how impressive it was. So what's your point? It would seem you are accusing me of making a redundant comment by asking me an absolute redundant question. We can go round in circles all day if you want. Personally, I wouldn't question my technical knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications, you'll just make yourself look even more stupid.
I wonder how well it would pair with the Origin for mid/side micing?
I'm not sure about that one honestly. Maybe that would be a good test on my second channel. Do people typically do M/S micing with two different mics?
@@Podcastage some people do, usually to blend both.
@@ndavies8 I just watched a video this morning actually about doing MS with an LDC and a ribbon.
@@Podcastage I do this extensively, as my go to acoustic miking method, and can vouch that it works very well! I don’t think it’s “normal” per se, but it’s definitely been done before and can lead to some interesting coloration. They don’t have a crazy amount of difference in terms of how they pickup (origin/spirit), and I think it sounds pleasing.
Bandrew: "Hmm... This video is going to be significantly shorter than some of my others..."
Also Bandrew: "I'll just talk about the upper frequency range of this mic for unconscionable time."
Hahahaha, but seriously, I fucking love this mic. It has the EXACT sound profile I have been searching for. I'll take six, Aston!
Thanks Bandrew, was great to review this video while I'm contemplating pulling the trigger on buying this mic. Is there a mic you would recommend checking out to hear the kind of vintage, warm tone you're referencing in contrast with the Spirit's modern sound?
Given you spent half of your review of the AKG p420 talking about the 15dB self noise, i would have figured you would have mentioned the near identical self noise on this unit a couple of times
Love all the little jokes man. The number of times I reflexively try to like the video only to remember I’ve already liked it about five times is too damn high.
Nice mic. I'm liking a lot of Aston's stuff although I think I'd pick up the King Bee or NT1 instead. I have the Aston Elements pre ordered so I'm looking forward to that. I know you have a huge back log of reviews to do so I'm sure you won't get to it for a bit haha.
Sounds great, I agree with Kenneth tho would like to hear a tube mic review as well, perhaps the Telefunken tf29
To my ears the Astoni Spirit... I agree about the airy/ modern/ detailed/ articulate descriptions but it sounds quite shrill to me especially at first and the C414 was way more pleasing to my ears.
I love Aston sounds great and it’s a tank
Warm Audio WA47jr review pls!!
It is a real surprise here. Tha astin handled semblance the best of the group. Im my buds it sounded smoother than the mighty 414..
Considering as a vocal mic. The Neat King Bee comes close. But the Spirit is best in comparison.
#1 AKG C414
#2 Shure KSM
#3 Aston Spirit
#4 Aston Origin
#5 Autio Technica AT2020
#6 Neat King Bee
love the songs at the end!! love u buddy! dont hate ur self and try not to go nuts ;)
man you just get the reviewing gear thing right, good stuff
i was just using mine about five minutes before watching this. nice coinkydink. i love the aston spirit. solid build, great sound, and it can be good for those like me with bassy voices as it can layer in the bass but bring out the tops -- just be careful with the spit noises and teeth clamping.
Is the high end on this mic harsh?
@@e3yt277 no. only if you have a naturally harsh voice. it's going to pick up all of that harshness acurately lol
Fantástico tutorial acabo de comprar dos micrófonos espero poder sacarle todo el rendimiento la verdad es que me gustan muchísimo
I just bought a Spirit (used )thru Amazon with a $60 off for getting their reward card and also paying $17+ a month for 12 months for a whopping $210.01!! and free shipping,woohoo! not too shabby a deal!..
i love the editing and ur unbothered expressions 😂
I just got a spirit for $70. With a little searching one can often find great deals on microphones. I got no problem using a dead persons microphone.
Please do a Warm Audio WA87 R2 review!
That thing looks great, sounds great, trashes sm 1000 bucks stuff pretty easily, definitely a worthy microphone!
I preferred the KSM until you said the price. Thinking about picking up the Spirit. Really a great deal for a great mic.
again, the best is you buddy! your voice!!!
🤠 On another person's video I noticed that he mounted the Spirit horizontally--that may be a good way to prevent it slipping off the shockmount.