Aston Apex Review / Test

MicrophoneReview
Written By Bandrew Scott

Voicing 1 Comparison: https://youtu.be/00Fl2m_J-q0

Today i review the Aston Apex, a handheld dynamic. This mic has two different voicings giving you different EQ curves, active electronics giving the mic a very healthy output level, and it offers a unique and robust feeling build quality. The sound is either V-shaped or upper mid focussed depending on the voicing you use. I found that it suffered in two primary areas: plosive rejection and handling noise rejection.

RECORDING SETTINGS:

  • Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen

  • Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz

  • Gain: 40dB (+48v Phantom Power On)

  • Boosted in Post: +10dB

SPECS:

  • Polar Pattern: Cardioid

  • Freq Response : 20Hz - 16khz

  • Sensitivity: -62dB to -50dB (depending on active/passive & switch position)

  • Max SPL: 115dB to 147dB (depending on active/passive & switch position)

  • Equivalent Noise Level: 5dB

Buy the Aston Apex(Affiliate Link)
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/apex
Thomann: https://thmn.to/thoprod/594390

Buy the Focusrite 18i20 4th Gen - (Affiliate Links)
Amazon: https://geni.us/18i204th
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/18i204th
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/3DLyvHf
Thomann: https://thmn.to/thoprod/596531

NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.

00:00 - Intro
00:26 - What’s in the Box
00:44 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:16 - Specifications
01:28 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
01:43 - Plosive Test
02:03 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:21 - Background Noise Test 
02:34 - Untreated Room Test
02:54 - Shock Rejection Test
03:15 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
03:31 - Handling Noise Rejection Test
03:51 - Cup the Mic Test
04:10 - Voicing Switch Demo (Voice 1 vs. Voice 2)
05:33 - Shure SM58 Comparison
05:56 - Sennheiser E835 Comparison
06:21 - sE Electronics V7 Comparison
06:46 - Shure Beta 58a Comparison
07:13 - Audix OM3 Comparison
07:42 - Mojave MA-D Comparison
08:10 - Sennheiser E935 Comparison
08:38 - Beyerdynamic TG V70d Comparison
09:14 - Audio Technica AT2010 Comparison
09:43 - Lewitt MTP350Cm Comparison
10:09 - Earthworks SR117 Comparison
10:33 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
11:03 - Music Test (voicing 2)
13:03 - Pros & Cons
14:41 - Overall Thoughts
16:48 - Recommendation

Bandrew Scott

Bandrew Scott is the founder and host of the youtube channel Podcastage, where he posts reviews of audio gear, and shares tips and tricks to improve the audio of your Podcast, YouTube Channel, or Live Stream.

He also founded the Geeks Rising podcast network, which is home to amazing education, wellness, and pop culture podcasts such as Tourette’s Podcast, Sunshine & Powercuts, and On The Subject.

Bandrew also runs his own show titled the Bandrew Says Podcast. On this show he analyzes the latest news to determine how it affects the content creation ecosystem, and shares that to help creates remain aware of how the platform they use is changing. 

https://www.bandrewscott.com/
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