Add to this a fresh look, backlit and tactile controls, reversible orientation, built-in Peak Level Metering, a hand-built 1" Gold Sputtered Mylar true condenser capsule (externally polarized) and you have one of the finest audio products to ever hit the market - all at a price/performance ratio that defies regular convention.

Main Features

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- Cardioid Studio Condenser Mic
- Developed by an experienced team of experts in audio, with multiple patented features
- All-metal housing with unique oval design
- Class-Leading Audio Performance (>140 dBA internal headroom)
- Switchable between Electronic or Transformer Balanced Output stages
- Custom-wound Toroidal Audio Transformer with VITROPERM core
- 1" Large Diaphragm True Condenser (Gold Sputtered Mylar)
- Sound chosen by blind listening tests, using our industry leading panel
- -10 dB Pad, plus 80 Hz Low Cut
- Integrated Peak-Level Metering
- Backlit Controls (dimmable and lockable)
- Built-in direct-to-stand mounting
- Powered by regular 48 V Phantom Power
- Made in Berlin, Germany

The sound of success

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The sound of any microphone starts with the capsule. We developed the Aim sound by carrying out a number of double blind tests with a team of leading studio engineers, musicians, artists and audio professionals across the world. Along the process and to find out what capsule style and tonality worked best with our custom electronics, we also compared each of these tests by ear and included checking these results randomly, against some of the most popular and best competitor mics on the market. Our chosen handmade, externally polarized, dual 1" capsule features a 6 micron gold-sputtered genuine Mylar diaphragm, isolated brass backplates with the finest quality tensioners and a customized ring connector. We also use Teflon coated wires, as this improves the S/N ratio to our own and separate Hi-Z electronics. It really is a work of art.

ESSENCE's cutting edge electronics are also extremely important to the sound. For all of our PCBs (also made in Berlin), we selected the highest quality components throughout - despite the cost, to maintain and exceed audio performance from many other designs that our team have been involved in. We also wanted to achieve a very low noise floor and a flat internal response without compromising on the audio quality, so we have a total number of four separate PCBs in each microphone, to minimise crosstalk and provide a leading-edge internal headroom of 140 dBA+. Plus, the entire mic is powered just by regular 48 V Phantom Power!

Change the Output Mode

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Transformer or Electronic Output stagé Why not have both in the same mic! Despite being a huge challenge, we made it happen and now for the very first time, you can instantly swap between these two distinct types of output and choose exactly which style best suits your source, at source and at the same level.

For our Transformer-based circuit, the Aim Audio team developed a Custom Wound Toroidal Transformer with a nanocrystalline VITROPERM core. This special design doesn't sound harsh or just add distortion, but it provides a slightly thicker and richer LF, plus a slightly airy top end and a slower transient response. Useful for all sorts of audio, from aggressive or velvety smooth vocals to heavy guitars or a brass section, this mode gives a beautifully open sound with shimmering harmonics. While our super clean Electronically Balanced Output will react much faster with transients and can handle higher SPL, even at ultra-low frequencies. Perfect for catching fast moving audio like shiny drum overheads or tracking acoustic guitars, without any 'smearing' of the audio, this mode gives stunningly transparent and natural recordings. It captures all the detail in the HF but without adding a zingy quality that some condensers can be prone to.

See it your way

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To make the controls easy to see in dark and moody stages and studios, Aim's LED backlit controls on ESSENCE show exactly what settings the mic is set to, at a moment's glance. All of the controls can be easily dimmed to three levels or even turned off, as required. You can also easily lock the buttons too, to prevent accidental changes.

Catch the Peaks and Rumbles

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Many interfaces, mic-preamps and even DAW meters don't always show fast clipping peaks before they can irreversibly damage a take. So, we fitted a simple Peak LED Level meter to ESSENCE which will flash Orange when the level is approaching the 'danger level' and will go Red to show when you should use a Pad. The mic itself won't be distorting, so you can turn this feature off if you are using a high-end device. The Low Cut Filter at 80 Hz and a gentle Roll Off Filter at 110 Hz are useful for helping to reduce wind noise, close proximity effect or even vibration, assisting you to get the best sound possible for your recordings.

Take the Shock

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ESSENCE is equipped with an integral direct-to-stand mount thread in the base of the microphone, which makes setting up in tight spaces a breeze. Aim's custom capsule holder is also made from a superior rubberised Anti-Vibration material, meaning it will protect your takes from most knocks and bumps that could ruin a recording. However, for the absolutely best shock-mounting experience, the optional ORBIT, our revolutionary patented multi-position shockmount, and the SENTRY magnetic Pop Filter are also available.

Topping things off, ESSENCE includes a branded Velcro cable tie and a Vegan-Leather mic carry pouch to keep the microphone free from dust when not being used.

ESSENCE Technical Specs

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- Transducer Type: True Condenser
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Sensitivity at 1 kHz into 1 k?: 24.1 mV/Pa (rel. 94 dB SPL)
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 86 dBA (rel. 94 dB SPL)
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
- Equivalent Noise Level: 8 dBA
- Maximum SPL: 140 dB (at 0.05% THD - no pad)
- Pad Switch: -10 dB
- LF Cut-Off Filter: 80 Hz

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