Mic Archive

Aston Microphones

Aston Starlight

Small-diaphragm condenser, cardioid, end-address, with a laser sight and three voicings

Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.

Type
Condenser
Pattern
Cardioid
Sensitivity
−27.5 dBV/Pa computed
Self-noise
15 dB(A)
Max SPL
130 dB SPL
Rated range
20 – 20k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the manual, p. 14. "Frequency Response", no distance or measuring conditions stated. The frequency axis is irregular (see note).

Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.

Polar pattern

Polar pattern: from the manual, p. 15. "Polar Pattern": two half-plots, 125 Hz to 1 kHz on the left and 2 kHz to 16 kHz on the right, rings labelled 0 to -20 dB. Measuring conditions not stated. Approximate reading error up to about 1 dB.

Compare with other mics

All specs

From the manual
Capsule20 mm gold-sputtered. "The 20mm gold sputtered capsule feeds into custom designed transformerless electronics".p. 14
Sensitivity−27.5 dBV/Pa (42.1 mV/Pa), 1 kHz into 1 kohm. Not stated by the manufacturer: Stated as 42.1 mV/Pa; converted: 20·log10(0.0421) = -27.5.
Self-noise15 dB(A). "Equivalent Noise Level: 15dB A-Weighted".
Max SPL130 dB SPL, 0.5% THD, no pad; also 140 dB SPL, 0.5% THD, -10 dB pad; also 150 dB SPL, 0.5% THD, -20 dB pad. "Maximum SPL for THD 0.5%: 130dB/ 140dB/ 150dB"; matched to the pad positions 0/-10/-20 dB by us.
Signal-to-noise ratio79 dB, A-weighted, re 94 dB SPL
Rated frequency range20 Hz to 20 kHz, ±10 dB. "20Hz - 20kHz (+/- 10dB)".
PoweringP48 (48 V ±4 V). "48 Volt Phantom power (+/- 4 Volts) is required for operation"; it also drives the laser (p. 15).
Low cutoff, 80 Hz, 140 Hz. "Low-Cut Filters: 80Hz, 140Hz"; "3-position Low-Cut Filter" (p. 12).
Pad−10 dB; also −20 dB, second position. "Pad Switches: -20dB/-10dB/0dB".
Switchesvoice: Vintage, Modern, Hybrid. "3-position voicing switch: Vintage, Modern and Hybrid settings" (p. 12), "accessed via a switch on the microphone body".
ConnectorXLR. The laser is "driven by 48V phantom power provided via the XLR cable".p. 15
Weight251 g. "Product weight 251g"; accessories 52 g.p. 12
Dimensions26 × 181 mm. Width × length; 36 mm wide across the laser housing.
VoicingsVintage: "some subtle low end lift while gently rolling back the extreme highs". Modern (middle position): "some airy high-end lift". Hybrid: "nominally flat response but with just a little low end lift". Made "at the input stage of the mic amp rather than simple post-EQ"p. 14
LaserClass 2, 650 nm, beam 10 × 10 mm at 5 m, max. average power 0.9 mW; powered by phantom; switch I/O; not to be left on in usep. 15
Laser label655 nm, max. average power 0.634 mW; complies with IEC/EN 60825-1:2014 and 21 CFR 1040.10/1040.11p. 16
HeadSintered metal head; 1.5 mm laser-cut, etched stainless steel chassisp. 12
ElectronicsTransformerlessp. 14
Stereo pairStarlight Stereo Pair: two mics with a mounting bar, two clips and two windscreens (502 g)p. 12

Documents

Copies kept by Mic Archive, because manufacturers move and drop their documents. Each is © Aston Microphones, unchanged, with its original address.

Recording Hacks

Recommended for

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