Review on Aston Origin - Large Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone by Thomas Silva

I've owned it for 8 months now so I feel I can give an honest and truthful review. Too many Amazon reviews are written within an hour of opening the box. Anyone considering this microphone needs to know how it performs in professional use. OK Background: Among other things, I work as a professional voice actor. I've recorded in high-end, state-of-the-art studios with microphones that have cost thousands of dollars over the years. I also had my own home studio for about 8 years using CAD, GXL, Blue and other mid-range gear. Microphones quite a bit with varying results. All microphones have their pros and cons. As you probably know, leave the mics that like your voice and use the ones that have the "sound" you're looking for in a situation. Each microphone has its pros and cons, hence my list for Aston Origin. ADVANTAGES: * This microphone has a warm yet very clear sound. * There is very little "noise" in the microphone. * Proximity effect is good, but you don't need to be 5cm away to get it. * Sleek and modern design so it "feels" very professional, and its all-metal construction is durable * Easy to mount on a standard mic stand due to the location of the mounting hole. . So you do not need an additional suspension as with other microphones. This makes installation very efficient and easy in small or large spaces and saves quite a bit of hassle. . (See image above)* The cardioid pickup pattern is very effective at canceling out background noise, better than anything under $250. However, you don't have to worry about being perfectly on the move during a call to get the full spectrum of pickup from the diaphragm (pickup element) all then better for the price. If you're ready for a true pro-level mic but don't want to spend more than $300, then this is your best option that I've come across from all my research. I never have to put pressure on my singing when doing voice overs, so subtle sounds are clear and present on the recording. CONS: * No USB mount so you need a proper XLR/Pro audio setup to use it * Single pattern * A bit heavy which could be pro depending on your perspective. * I can't speak to his ability to handle singing. Sorry I didn't sing or record the results, just played them. But it's very present, so you need to control the mixer and input levels to keep it from peaking. Overall this is a fantastic mic that delivers much better sound quality than anything I've come across in this price range. It's not cheap, but there are a lot more expensive options out there, and they'll honestly give you a minimal upgrade in quality over the Aston Origin. I even heard a rumor that Origin loves the great Stevie Wonder. This can prove that the Aston Origin has performed well in home and professional studio environments. I'd bet against any mic that costs less than $1,000. If you're not looking for one that has a "characteristic" sound but isn't overpowering, then this is a great option for you. Its clarity doesn't sacrifice the integrity needed to capture the more emotional nuances of deeper vocal movements. There may be a bit more "bass" but that's enough and you can sweeten it in post and you'll get excellent results. Good luck recording.