Offering a fresh design for modern artists and a complete package for out-of-the-box creating, the AIM Audio Inspire is a multipattern large-diaphragm condenser mic sporting a 1" gold-sputtered true condenser capsule and the innovative function of selecting between a transformer- or electronically balanced output for different mic sounds. Use transformer mode for a thicker low end or electronic balancing for a transparent tone.
The Inspire offers a switchable -10 or -20 dB pad for overly hot signals. You can also switch on an 80 or 110 Hz low-cut filter for reducing rumbling sounds and handling noise. The pattern selection wheel allows you to select between cardioid, wide cardioid, supercardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-8 patterns. Meter your peak levels directly on the microphone with innovative peak LED meter. Backlit controls also make it easy to operate the Inspire in a dark environment, and you can both lock the controls and dim the backlights when darkness is required. The internal circuitry consists of high-quality and carefully selected electronics, including a custom-wound transformer with a VITROPERM core. The Inspire includes an Orbit multi-position shockmount with resorber ring, a Sentry magnetic pop filter, a 5/8 to 3/8" thread adapter, a soft carrying pouch/dust cap, and a custom hard carrying case.
- 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.
All of the controls can be easily dimmed to three levels or even turned off. This makes Inspire 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.
A little known secret with most multi-pattern mics, is that the polarization voltage supplied to the capsule usually takes a little while to settle down when you change the pattern. This is why the backlit LED in the Inspire polar pattern wheel will flash until the correct polarization voltage or switching settings have been reached, making it handy when audibly testing what works best for your source at speed. When selecting a different pattern, the LED only takes a short time to settle, but only once the LED is steady, it indicates the optimum performance has been reached, so you can get the full benefit of hearing what setting sounds right for you and the source.
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.
This also makes Orbit great for overheads, in front of instruments, or for miking up amps, etc. Topping off the features, the integrated removable cable-relief helps to reduce rumble and handling noise.
- 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 localized magnetism to ensure that doesn’t interfere with the microphone’s sensitive electronics, and it 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 the Inspire with a vocalist and still see the controls and peak indicators, you can.