Announced ahead of the NAMM Show 2024, Aim Audio are a new pro audio brand who will be launching with a pair of innovative new microphones, Inspire and Essence. Both models feature a switchable electronic and transformer-balanced output stage, and can be used along with a cleverly designed shockmount and pop filter system. They’re being built in Berlin, Germany, and promise to deliver top-notch performance at an extremely competitive price point.
Inspire is kitted out with switchable polar patterns along with multiple pad and high-pass filter options.The flagship model, Inspire, is built around a one-inch true condenser capsule, and offers a choice of five (Cardioid, Wide Cardioid, Super Cardioid, Omni, Figure-8) polar patterns which can be selected via a wheel on the mic’s body — upon selecting a pattern, an LED indicator will inform users when the polarisation voltage has settled. A set of four buttons then offer a pair of high-pass filter (80 or 115 Hz) and pad (-10 or -20 dB) options, and are followed by Front and Back buttons that allow the user to specify which side of the capsule serves as the microphone’s front side, making sure the controls are always in the most convenient place.
Finally, another pair of buttons make it possible to switch between the electronic or transformer-balanced output stages — the former is the cleaner of the two options, whilst the latter is said to offer a richer low end and a slower transient response.
Essence follows the same physical design, but features a fixed cardioid pattern and offers a simplified set of controls. There’s a single 80Hz high-pass filter option along with a -10dB pad, but the switchable output stage options remain. Both models offer some handy features such as built-in peak metering, and backlit controls which can be dimmed, or turned off entirely if required.
The company have also developed a shockmount (Orbit) and pop filter (Sentry) system specifically for the new mics. Inspire comes supplied with both as standard, whilst users of the Essence can purchase one as an optional extra if required. Along with it tilting mechanism, Orbit allows the inserted mic to be rotated through 190 degrees, allowing it to be positioned easily in any application whilst avoiding awkward stand placement, and Sentry pairs a steel mesh filter design with a magnetic base that can be attached directly to Orbit facing in either direction.
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Key Specs
Inspire
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Sensitivity: 23.7 mV/Pa (at 1kHz into 1kΩ)
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 86 dBA (rel. 94dB SPL)
- LF Cut-Off Filter: 80Hz
- LF Roll-Off Filter: 115Hz
- Polar Patterns: Cardioid, Wide Cardioid, Super Cardioid, Omni, Figure-8
- Equivalent Noise Level: 8dBA
- Maximum SPL: 140dB (at 0.05% THD) No pad
- Pad Switches: -10 / -20 dB
Essence
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Sensitivity: 20.7 mV/Pa (at 1kHz into 1kΩ)
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 86dBA (rel. 94dB SPL)
- LF Cut-Off Filter: 80 Hz
- Equivalent Noise Level: 8 dBA
- Maximum SPL: 140dB (at 0.05% THD) No pad
- Pad Switch: -10 dB
Current technical specifications are preliminary launch figures.
“We’ve been working on this project for a few years now. Doing much of this during a pandemic didn’t make it as straightforward as it could have been. However, despite the challenges the world presented us with, it has been a fun, sometimes intense, yet ultimately rewarding development process and with a great team of true experts in our field. All of us at Aim Audio can’t wait for the world to see, hear and use our new creations that we are immensely proud of.” - Bruce Davidson, co-founder, Aim Audio
Pricing & Availability
Both mic models are expected to be shipping in April 2024, with the Inspire priced at $699£679 including VAT / €799, and the Essence priced at $499£469 including VAT / €549. The Orbit and Sentry shockmount and pop filter system will be supplied with Essence as standard, but will also be available for purchase individually, priced at $129£129 including VAT / €149.
