M-Audio Aries

The M Audio Aries is a condenser microphone for recording with a unique circle shaped cage. I wouldn't recommend bringing it outside of the recording studio since it's not cheap and is indeed a condenser mic. The mic has a cardioids polar pick up pattern and a frequency response ranging from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. These mics were a new addition to one of the studios that I frequently work out of, so I only recently had the chance to check them out and I'm glad that I know about them now. These are definitely impressive mics.


OVERALL OPINION

The M Audio Aries are nice microphones for a variety of purposes. I've used them a few times for piano and I also tried one of them out for acoustic guitar. I think that two that are at the studio where I used them are a matched pair as you can buy a set of two of them that are matched. For recording piano, I was blown away by the sound of these. The studio has a nice and warm grand piano that was a nice match for these microphones. The mics picked up the sound with stunning detail and nice warmth too. I wasn't expecting this kind of sound from an Audix, although I hadn't used many condenser microphones from them since they are primarily known for their nice dynamics mics. Still, the M Audio Aries aren't cheap so it's a serious decision to pick up one or two of these. I'd consider them and try them for yourself if you're looking for a set of matched condensers that aren't more traditional pencil mics. There are tons and tons of microphones out there so be sure to do your research. That being said, including these in that would be a good idea as they are unexpectedly amazing microphones for any price range!

The M-Audio Aries is a vocal condenser microphone that is suitable for both use in the studio and the stage.  I have only used it in the studio, but it definitely has the look and the shape of a stage microphone.  However, since it is a condenser microphone it does need to be treated with a little bit more care than a normal dynamic microphone would because it is more sensitive.  It does also require phantom power as all condenser microphones do, so you need to have it plugged into a board that has phantom power if you are going to use it for live shows.

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using the M-Audio Aries for a few months here and there as a cheap option for laying down ideas.  I believe that this is what the M-Audio Aries is best suited for and I don't think I would recommend using it for much else in terms of use in the studio.  It has a pretty decent overall sound, but lacks a certain fullness that I would look for in a good condenser microphone.  Although I can't say that I have any experience doing so, I would bet that even though this is a condenser mic, that it would be suited well for live shows, granted you have the phantom power to use with it.  I say this because of the general make up of the mic, and how it is indeed a hand held mic.  It is specifically designed for vocals and definitely looks like a vocal mic.  The price of the M-Audio Aries is really cheap and is probably the main reason that people will be interested in this mic.  While it isn't one of the better mics by a long shot of mics that I have used either in the studio or for live shows, it will get the job done in both applications, of course depending what you are trying to do.

Static cardioid vocal microphone for the stage.

The data sheet shows little evidence:

Type: Micro hand held, small-capsule condenser, studio-quality
Membrane diameter: 3 / 4 inch thick 6 micron gold by evaporation
Solid brass capsule giving a warm
Suspension shocks and minimizing handling noise [extremely effective]
Directivity: Cardioid.
Frequency response: 20-20kHz
Sensitivity: 13.8 mV / Pa
Max SPL for 0.5% THD: 134 DBB SPL
Equivalent noise level: 17 dB A-weighted
Output impedance: 200 Ohms
Recommended load impedance:> 1000 Ohms
Preamp: Class A FET, transformerless
Power supply: 48 V Phantom
Connector: XLR 3 male
Dimensions: Diam. 40 mm, max at the gate, length 168 mm
Weight: 260 g
Packing: carry bag (small enough), adjustable support clamp, carton box (classic)
No response curve or directional pattern.

OVERALL OPINION

How long and utilization
Tried on a provision in the open in June 2006 along with Béta87 and BETA58.

Seduced and bought a few weeks later.

I use it regularly for 3 months along with two Shure Béta87, and it gives me complete satisfaction on any type of voice.

JUDGEMENT WHEN USING
For lack of curves, I'll compare it to Shure Béta87A which is somewhat standard in the field.

For those who do not know Béta87A, here's my assessment:

Sound:

Micro very true and very neutral. Does not add or subtract anything.
Bosse's grave very discreet, very far from natural highs but discreet. Its type "static" giving a very transparent "as if there were more micro."

Other qualifications:

-Very light and grip unusual because of the small diameter of the handle. Over time, the hand can be tiring especially as the paint is very smooth and slippery.

-Extremely low handling noise, the best of my knowledge in the range of Shure view.

Wind-noise: no problem with plosives and breath of the artist and the wind outside.

-Whistling: pass very accurately without any concern.

Deformation of the stamp-use "off-axis":
No problem, but not as good as the old SM58 was a champion in the genre.

Larsen-resistance: no problem with the model hyper-ardioïde I use.
The cardioid pattern should be a little worse because of its wider directivity. However, it is a little better when using "off axis".
THE MICRO M-AUDIO ARIES

Appearance and handling:
Relatively small.
Good grip thanks to the nice rubberized paint on the handle. Can it slips through your fingers.

Graves:
No major noticeable hump. Because of its small size diaphragm or very limited response below 150-200 Hz?
In any case, resonant room, no risk of serious extreme "runs" and popping exploding in the lower spectrum.

Plosives: the test "My dad is a firefighter in Perpignan" in multiple voices is a model of success. See reasons and consequences above.

Mediums very accurate, as a studio microphone.

Treble:
It is immediately a great speech intelligibility, greater than the Béta87. Suspected a slight bump in the response curve, where it is needed and the amount that goes. Nothing annoying, just enough to be friendly and that's what attracted me.
The sharp rise very high, as befits a condenser microphone with a slightly more presence than the Shure Béta87. I like it!

In short: you can put the equalizer off the console, you get the right sound without any correction.
Now if you want to "work" sound, no problem since it's from a very healthy.
Complementary qualities:

Noise-handling:
A big hats off to M-Audio as the suspension is even more effective than the Béta87.
The only downside to this perfection: the painting of the rubber sleeve (instead of extremely smooth and slippery for Béta87) that the evil hand slips on the neck and produces a slight crunch, which means slightly. Flip side of convenience.
Nothing serious, this microphone is very much better than the SM58 and BETA58 that were already considered good.

-Whistling:
The test "Who are these snakes hiss on these heads?" passes without problems on all votes.

Deformation of the stamp-use "off-axis":
No problem, yet one who in June held out the microphone to different people did not stop private ... Since confirmed.

Larsen-resistance:
This is the low point of my microphone to use.
Its cardioid polar pattern to be large enough that it tends to hang more easily than Béta87A in its hyper-cardioid or BETA58 also a hyper-cardioid.
I could compare it with the cardioid version Béta87C do not have. There should be some similarities.

In any case, avoid putting it near the front speakers, and it is better that the returns are well prepared to close in line behind the microphone. Otherwise, it tends to hang if the singer's too far away from his mouth and he must push a little gain to the console.

It is for this reason alone that I put a 9 instead of 10.

For its price, it is impossible to find a microphone comprising all qualities.

See further notice, which is very well done
Ncessite a phantom power supply

OVERALL OPINION

I trsdcu by micro, I wanted a condenser microphone while You Save, I would not. The microphone hangs too.
I used SM58 microphones ultimately more rehearsal room provided that the.

I finally bought a super cardioid dynamic microphone AKG D5, unless it hangs and the sound is great.

It is also the use that I want to make the microphone, I need not have phantom power supply. That is to say that I go through the effects before the mix console.

I think he may well agree trs recording, M-audio are much more "home studio" that "live" anyway.

I do not would do the same choice, it is a micro trs good, nice, but that does not match my use.