Aston Element

I
’ll start this review with the
conclusion that the Element is
a total success, that easily
outperforms microphones that
cost double and even triple the
price. There, I’ve said it. There
will be mic elitists out there
who doubt the capabilities of such an
accessible tool and while they are
correct that a high end valve mic may
produce slightly more pleasing
results, the differences will be
obvious to only a very few. So, what
makes the Element so good?
First, Aston’s Rydion capsule,
which makes for a design that offers a
combination of the warmth, focus,
clarity and range of condensers,
ribbon and dynamic microphones
(hence composite name), which
makes it perfectly suited for use
recording vocals, acoustic
instruments, drums and pianos.
Placement of the mic for these tasks
will change the character of the
performance but it’s more a case of
added warmth for closer proximity,
than a drop off when placed further.
This is particularly noticeable when
recording acoustic guitar and vocals.
The proximity effect is barely
noticeable when recording louder
sources like electric guitar, which
highlights the delicacy of the
Element, possibly enhanced by the
waveguide that helps funnel certain
sources’ output into the capsule.
The Element has a wide response
with a tighter focus at closer proximity
that warms the tones, without
coloring it too much. This warmth is
where high-end valve mics excel but
it’s a trade off, where personality can
overpower true reproduction, and the
Aston delivers as close as you could
hope for and its warmth runs broad,
making it a real workhorse.
If there’s an area where the
Element could do with a little help it’s
with the top end, which can feel just
a touch empty. It never sounds stiff or
brittle and a gentle lift around
15-16k sorts this.
The real key to the result of
Aston’s development is its drive to
include its trusted user base to give
feedback at key stages, helping make
the design into the crowd pleaser it is
sure to be. This has meant that the
Element can hold its own against very
popular options like Shure’s SM7B.
With the community behind it, the
one area that may divide opinion is
the visual design, which some wits
have compared to a showerhead. I
and the build feels like it will last
until it ends up in the ‘classic retro
mics of old’ list posts 30 years from
now. A true workhorse.
quite like the looks, with a gentle
purple light indicating power. Also,
the lack of pad or high pass might
bother some. Build is light but rugged
and the housing connects to bespoke
pop fi lter and suspension by clip and
magnet, which I am all for.
All in all, the Aston Element has
proved a well-rounded, versatile
microphone that can turn its hand to
many tasks. It excels at capturing
vocal and acoustic performances but
can just as easily be put to use as a
drum mic. It’s warm without colouring
tones overly so may not win friends
who crave mojo.
But for realistic reproduction with
just a touch of magic, the Element
has it covered. I can see this easily
replacing much more expensive tools
THE PROS & CONS
+
Noise free
Excellent clarity
Waveguide keeps
mic focused
-
No onboard controls
for pad or high pass
FM VERDICT
9.7
At this price, there’s really
nothing that comes close to
the Element. Clarity, breadth
of response and tonal
characteristics are all there
The Element can hold its
own against popular options
like Shure’s SM7B
THE PROS & CONS
+
Noise free
Excellent clarity
Waveguide keeps
mic focused
-
No onboard controls
for pad or high pass
The Element can hold its
own against popular options
like Shure’s SM7B
The Element can hold its
Aston Microphones Element | Reviews
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FMU368.rev_aston.indd 79 22/02/2021 19:19