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), along with the revolutionary ORBIT Shockmount, complete with the SENTRY Magnetic Pop Filter, the INSPIRE + PACK is one of the finest audio products to ever hit the market - all at a price/performance ratio that defies regular convention.

Main Features

‍
- Multipattern Studio Mic and Shockmount Package, in custom fitted case
- 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
- Dual 1" Large Diaphragm True Condenser (Gold Sputtered Mylar)
- Sound chosen by blind listening tests, using our industry leading panel
- 5 Switchable Polar Patterns, with voltage reached indication
- -10 and -20 dB Pad options, plus 80 Hz Low Cut or 110 Hz Roll Off switches
- Integrated Peak-Level Metering
- Backlit Controls (dimmable and lockable)
- Built-in direct-to-stand mounting
- Powered by regular 48 V Phantom Power
- Included Custom ORBIT Shockmount, with adjustable clamp angle and Resorber Ring
- Included SENTRY Magnetic Reversible Pop Filter
- Made in Berlin, Germany

The sound of success

‍
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.

INSPIRE'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

‍
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

‍
To make the controls easy to see in dark and moody stages and studios, Aim's LED backlit controls on INSPIRE 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.

Multi-Pattern Wheel with Stabilisation Indication

‍
INSPIRE is equipped with 5 distinct Polar Patterns (Cardioid, Wide Cardioid, Super Cardioid, Omni and Figure-8) via the Pattern Select Wheel. In addition, the backlit LED in the wheel will flash until the correct polarization voltage or switching settings have been reached, making it super handy when audibly testing what pattern works best for your source, at speed.

Catch the Peaks and Rumbles

‍
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 INSPIRE 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.

Front or Back?

‍
During development, we asked ourselves "do the switches belong on the front or rear?" For a vocalist who wants to record themselves, having the switches right on the front would make the most sense, but if an engineer wants to control and see the settings or you want to record a guitar amp etc. the rear does make it much easier to maintain access. As INSPIRE has a highly matched dual capsule and a symmetrical acoustic design, it meant that we could simply switch between both sides and maintain the sonic signature, no matter which side is in use. Simple and effective, in any of the three Cardioid modes, the FRONT and BACK controls will switch and invert the entire orientation of the microphone. This means that all the controls practically will move from the front to the back of the microphone and/or vice versa, to best suit exactly how you want to use it!

Take the Shock

‍
INSPIRE 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 INSPIRE + Pack includes ORBIT, our revolutionary patented multi-position shockmount and the SENTRY magnetic Pop Filter, as part of the package. Made from extremely strong Long Glass Reinforced Nylon, ORBIT is lightweight and very simple to use.

Many shockmount designs can be fiddly, hard to adjust and a pain getting the exact angle you need for the mic to be pointed at your source. Just like with our microphones, ORBIT has had years of development in working out how to make a better shockmount system. In addition, to get closer to sound source and to make the controls on the microphone easily accessible (especially when the mic is in the cradle), we settled on a half-open/open front design. After very many man hours of physical testing, we chose to not use regular rubber-band style of elastics that can sag over time and also introduce all sorts of resonances. Instead, we developed our own solid nylon based Lyres to afford the best shock-mounting possible.

But what if you want to use INSPIRE's Back mode and not have the mount in the way of the controls or peak LEDs? No problem! With our patented mechanism, you can easily change the angle of the mounting position by 190 degrees, to suit whatever direction you want to 'Aim' the capsule at. Side mounting, front, back or any position in between, the twist clamp mechanism can be operated single-handedly, while the mic stays secure in the custom clamp. This also makes ORBIT great for overheads or for miking up amps etc. In addition, the integrated removable cable relief clip helps to reduce rumble and handling noise.

Top out the POPs

‍
Aim mics have a great integrated dual Steel Mesh pop filter, but to help catch the very worst plosives we developed the SENTRY Pop Filter. The pop filter itself is made with a coated stainless steel, with acid-etched hexagonal holes that have been aligned precisely. These holes and the distance between the filter and capsule have been specifically worked out to give the best airflow, all helping to catch great vocals, with an acoustic performance that's perfect for plosive control. SENTRY's surface area also curves around the microphone, so movement should not be an issue, all helping you to achieve the best vocal tracking experience you can. Easy to place, SENTRY uses custom integrated magnets in four positions. These feature a very high quality localised magnetism to ensure it doesn't interfere with the microphone's electronics and means that it will always stay exactly where you put it. It's also reversible to either direction, so if you want to use the REAR mode on INSPIRE with a vocalist and still see the controls and peak indicators, you can!

A number of shockmounts on the market have their own resonance that can get into recordings. ORBIT is open at the front, for control access, plus as ORBIT is designed to be lightweight yet extremely strong, we used new materials which meant there can be some small unavoidable resonances. However, with the SENTRY installed, these are completely cancelled out. But for those times when you don't need a pop filter, we developed the Magnetic Resorber Ring. This just drops onto the top when not using the SENTRY - the magnets will do the rest for you and help to give the best audio performance.

But that's not all

‍
Topping things off, INSPIRE + PACK includes a custom moulded hard carry case, a branded Velcro cable tie and a Vegan-Leather mic carry pouch.

Technical Specs

‍
- Transducer Type: True Condenser
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Sensitivity at 1 kHz into 1 k?: 13.5 mV/Pa (rel. 94 dB SPL)
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 86 dBA (rel. 94 dB SPL)
- Switchable Polar Patterns: Cardioid, Wide Cardioid, Super Cardioid, Omni, Figure-8
- Equivalent Noise Level: 8 dBA
- Maximum SPL: 140 dB (at 0.05% THD - no pad)
- Pad Switches: -10 and -20 dB
- LF Cut-Off Filter: 80 Hz
- LF Roll-Off Filter: 115 Hz

‍