AIM Audio Essence Cardioid Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone

AIM's handmade, externally polarized, 1" capsule features a 6-micron gold-sputtered genuine Mylar condenser diaphragm, isolated brass backplates with the finest quality tensioners, and a customized ring connector. They also use Teflon-coated wires, as this improves the signal-to-noise ratio to their own and separate high-impedance electronics.

The cutting-edge electronics inside Essence are also extremely important to the sound. For all of their PCBs (also made in Berlin), AIM selected the highest quality components throughout, despite the cost, to maintain and exceed audio performance from many other designs that AIM's team have been involved in. They also wanted to achieve a very low noise floor without compromising on the audio quality, so there are a total number of four separate PCBs in each microphone, to minimize crosstalk and provide an excellent internal headroom of 140 dBA.

While AIM wanted to provide the best quality that they could electronics wise, the question came up whether they should use a transformer or electronic output stage. So, why not have both in the same mic?

• For the 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, like many of the off-the-shelf transformer circuits can, but it provides a slightly thicker and richer low end, 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.
• The super-clean electronically balanced output will react much faster with transients and can handle higher SPL, even at ultralow 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 high frequencies but without adding a zingy quality that some condensers can be prone to.

Many mics are just plain darn hard to read when setting up on dark and moody stages or in studios, where you often want to get the best atmosphere for a performance. Aim Audio thought about how best to change this, so the LED backlit controls on Essence make it easy to see exactly what settings the mic is set to, at a moment’s glance. They’re also completely powered by regular 48V Phantom Power, no extra hardware is required.

All of the controls can be easily dimmed to three levels or even turned off. This makes Essence a perfect invisible mic for video, calming studio environments, or in live settings. You can also easily lock the buttons too, great if you want to stop performers from fiddling or to prevent accidental changes while moving the microphone’s position.

While the average source should not present an issue, loud amps, drums, or even singers with the odd peaking transient can distort your input. So, AIM Audio 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, meaning you can turn this feature off if you are using a high-end device (preamp).

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 rubberized anti-vibration material, meaning it will protect your takes from most knocks and bumps that could ruin a recording. For the best shockmounting experience, check out Aim's Orbit shockmount (sold separately).