Since then I have totally changed my tune and become a fan. I have a Aston Stealth in my studio and I was one of the people who contributed to the focus group research for the Aston Element (I have one and it’s a mic that I love very much and which has become my go-to mic for tracking vocals – and some final recordings too).

I have a wish list of other Aston mics I would like to buy (the Aston Spirit is probably next) – and now that list has a new item on it in the form of the Aston Apex.
Not content with shaking up the studio recording microphone market they have now developed new hand held live vocal mics.
As you might expect from Aston they have a very striking appearance.

Hand held live mics tend to be dynamic – so the Apex is dynamic or passive – but this being Aston it can also be Active with phantom power. In addition – using the technology developed for the Aston Stealth – the mic has a choice of 2 voices with an on-board preamp which, via phantom power, provides an additional 20 dB gain boost.

The unusual head of the mic – no traditional basket here – is aerodynamically tuned to enhance on-axis focus of the sound source. You can also choose from 3 finishes on the body including chrome (Aston call it glass), black (Void) and grey (Storm)

As a musician who provides backing vocals at live gigs I can’t wait to try one of these out – I want one – a Void – but as far as I can tell they are not available for retail yet and no inducation on price.
How frustrating!

I hope to review an Aston Apex in the not too distant future.

You can find out more here on the Aston Website

The original article I read is here – on the Audio Technology website

Chris Radley – Dvoicebox studio