Aston Brand
The Aston Microphones story
Aston Microphones as founded in 2015 in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, UK. The brand’s first microphone, Origin, was released in 2016, receiving widespread industry acclaim for its unique looks, innovative features and its sound. Each subsequent addition to Aston’s focussed range has brought something new to the previously stagnant mic market and every mic is a multiple industry award-winner, the highlight being Aston Stealth winning ‘Best Microphone’ at the prestigious NAMM TEC Awards in 2020. In 2021 Aston became part of the Music Tribe family, joining other leading audio brands, including Midas, Klark Teknik, Lab Gruppen, Lake, Turbosound and Tannoy. Aston continue to operate from their original UK headquarters and are still the only mainstream company to manufacture microphones in the UK. Read more on the Aston Microphones brand
Who are the Aston 33?
The Aston 33 are a panel of the world’s top proucers, angineers and artists who have helped shape the sound of each Aston microphone. Named after the original 33 who worked on Aston’s first mic, Origin, the panel now has more than 100 members.
In an industry-first process, the A33 participate in a series of blind listening tests, pitting prototypes of each new mic against the very best on offer from other major brands. At each stage the panel rate the candidates from best to worst across a range of relevant sound-sources (vocals, acoustic guitars etc.) but without knowing which mic is which. The Aston prototypes are modified in accordance with the voting data and the process repeated. Only when an iteration of the new Aston mic is consistently voted best in each category is its specification finalised and signed off for production.