Aston Stealth - Dynamic Mic with GAIN GALORE!

[@Podcastage]

He’s alive. I was getting visited by a ghost recently and I thought it was you. Apparently it’s someone else’s ghost.....I need to do more research.

[@ErynKnight]

I know, right. I'm a prolific binge watcher and long for the days where I see the notification.

[@garrywindshield1]

Poor ghost asked for some gain. Use fethead to make it visible

[@KingDracSiege]

Did it throw bean bags at you screaming lightning bolt??

[@xHadesStamps]

Yay!

[@joshgsanvo]

Hahaha that's so funny Bandrew it's so good to still have you guys around. Love from Venezuela

[@shaunmaharaj9851]

I'm like 90% sure that every mic sounds amazing with this guys voice.

[@ThinBlueLaneRVLife]

Agreed

[@EposVox]

Ayyy you finally got around to this one!

[@Deactrals]

NO NO NO

[@old-school-cool]

Thank you. No one had an SM7B, was on the fence between an MV7 and an SM57 (and whether I should cook it and use a cloudlifter or not), Rode was out everywhere, and no ES100 or otherwise to be found... and I was in the store about to pull the trigger on the SM57 and someone recommended this mic. I trust you, so watched the video, and though it cost more than I expected to spend, I can now say our channel officially uses this microphone as of 2-15-21

[@murraystechtime8530]

That Stealth is a nice microphone, thanks for the review, on Amazon Canada it is $479.00 and the Shure SM7B is $535.00 (the Cloudlifter is $195) in case anyone was wondering. The Stealth is $251.00 less expensive in Canada...

[@Dracomies]

I honestly can't recall a comparison between the SM7B and Stealth this thorough. This is super helpful. I walked into the video thinking that the Stealth would be an alternative or a replacement to the SM7B, especially given the cost of the SM7B. But was pleasantly surprised at how much better the SM7b sounded. It's all subjective of course. I'm sure people think otherwise but the SM7B just sounds much more full.

[@YouTubeBuffet]

12:41 get a reverse 90 XLR or one of those fancy swivel XLR cables if u need more range of motion

[@ObscureMics]

I've seen all the stealth videos....yet I was hoping for this one STILL. Nice haircut Mike!

[@AudioHotline]

Yes! So glad you’re back! I absolutely LOVE the built in mic activator! I have found myself using the stealth a lot more than I originally anticipated.

[@xHadesStamps]

It looks like a *huge* pencil condenser (but a dynanic), and I *love* that.

[@emoboi311]

I have been in love with Aston microphones ever since they came out. Indestructible microphones, usually having multiple voices. My Aston spirit has multiple polar patterns. My favorite microphones ever.

[@snubdawg1386]

still using the aston spirit?

[@emoboi311]

@@snubdawg1386not as much as I used to. I do like it for lead guitars Lately I’ve been using my Aston stealth, it’s my go to microphone for vocals.

[@AHAuwuOK]

The bass response is sooooo much better with the additional gain on both of these :3

[@andrewr4792]

I love the Cloudlifter.

[@NickalusNicoJohnson]

excellent comparison mate. this is one of the best reviews I've seen comparing the 2. You're right - many of us podcasters, when we discover the Stealth exists, think "hmm, wonder if this is better than my SM7B?" - it's a sickness, I know. This vid helped, tremendously. Thanks again

[@ohio_dino]

Audio test kitchen killed this comparison stuff but with out the detail of what mics require and details to how they work... you are not going anywhere. Ill say im glad you came back to making content.

[@cromulentcommodore5896]

2 used aston stealths on guitar center right now. 250. and 300 dollars also 13:25 my 7b does not wiggle around like that... in fact I've never encountered one that does that, I think there might be more going on there.

[@emanvz]

same with my 7b, no wiggle whatsoever. tight as a drum.

[@cromulentcommodore5896]

@@emanvz solid as Gibraltar

[@aro7975]

I can hear hiss when you are speaking through the stealth too though. I just returned an SM7b because even with a fethead and an RME interface, I was still getting hiss at the recommended 60 gain. 60 gain without fethead. 32 gain on the preamp with it. Hiss regardless

[@insanejughead]

Hmm, I really want to hear this one side by side with a Senny 421... So far I LOVE the sound and usefulness of that Stealth.

[@sleeplessirishman]

Just purchased a stealth, the sm7b is fantastic but when you could buy two stealths for around the same cost as one sm7b with the cloudlifter the choice is pretty clear imo, you can always add a compensatory EQ to match it to an sm7b profile if you really wanted to, and great review by the way!

[@khioune]

Hi! I’m interested into the Stealth, how is it? Have you tried EQ settings and other settings to make it sound even better than the SM7B?

[@AtTheSourceStudios]

Wish you had an SM57 with the A81WS windscreen on it to closely replicate the SM7B as well. I feel like the 57 with A81 would sound similar to the stealth

[@paulengle5784]

God, I'm so glad to see Booth Junkie back!!

[@DrasticPurpleHippo]

Figured I'd leave a thanks here for all your videos. Got myself the CAD E100s and I've been loving it a lot. Very good mic; I don't even need any dedicated soundproofing in my room - it just works! Granted, I'm using it for youtube videos, but it's been phenomenal all the same.

[@sirslice7531]

Based on your test I'm sticking with the Shure (although the Stealth might be more than suitable for less demanding needs). For the last 4 years I've run an SM7b through my 17 year old Mackie board and its built-in pre amp (up to 60 db of gain) and it sounds GREAT. It's set at about 45 db and there's A LOT of (clean) gain to play with (and no complaints from my clients). Failing that, my GA pre-amp maxes out at 80db. I've owned a home (pro-broadcast quality) voice-over studio (and production suite) for almost 18 years and quickly learned, doing your homework, when it comes to buying studio equipment, will not only save you money... it could make you money (and save you travel time to larger pro-studios).

[@clelandstephen4181]

I think the 7B has a warmer, fuller sound, more bottom end mids, the Stealth sounds a tad thinner to me.

[@Dallen9]

Makes it kind of a steal.... Especially if you already have a shock mount... Sounds just as good as the SM7B too... very tempting offer on the table.

[@Writtenmirror]

I have the stealth and find it great for voiceover work and for really bringing out the natural bass in my voice. Other mics tend to be more high biased which thins my voice out a bit. Dark setting is cool for vocals too as it simulates a ribbon mic although you better get used to that first. Great video dude!

[@annekedebruyn7797]

SM7b still wins to me easily. It's so well balanced in its sound especially when you hear it compared to other mics. Especially when going right up the mic. The Stealth in every review sounds a bit like it has a bit of a cup sound. Maybe it's due to how closed of it is on the side? Tho I assume it does have waay better noise rejection which maybe great for people in a small room that still want radio-like processing with multiple mics. I think it's still between the RE20 and SM7b for me.

[@ObscureMics]

Was using 3 stealths on podcast and that cup sound was evident....couldn't take it

[@monsour1900]

Aye. I can hear the cupped "enclosed like" sound even on ear plugs. The Aston is still nice for it's versatility but that SM7b is still king for pro work.

[@tonygunz21]

I was hoping this comment was wrong, but I have to agree. I love the feature set of the Stealth, but it does have that "tunnel" sound. It's still quite usable, but in comparison to the SM7B, sonically it's not quite there. I think this is solely because of the way the capsule is set into the mic body. If they did something similar to the SM7b, where it's not enclosed in a fully closed metal tube, but maybe has holes, slots, or perforations like the Shure, it would open up the sound a bit and would be an easy choice over the Shure considering the price. If sound quality is paramount, still gotta choose the SM7b, but the Stealth is still very much usable.

[@Tazmanian_Ninja]

It has a horrible tone to it. And the G and V2 modes really emphasize that mid-peak. The Aston Shrill. That said, I REALLY want to like Aston's mics. Their sound is just not my cup of tea (the Origin is quite sibiliant to my ears - the Spirit better, but competing options are better).

[@shingngaling4357]

I prefer my ev re20 over my sm7b

[@Kragatar]

It kind of looks like a coffee thermos, but it sounds great and the built in signal booster is awesome.

[@garrywindshield1]

To me it sounds also like a coffee thermos

[@kesamek8537]

SM7B stomps it in every category here, thanks for the video excellent again.

[@Mio-fu1sr]

i like the dark sound

[@jeffoberg685]

Practical use for the dark setting would be using the stealth for overhead mics on a drum kit to tame the harshness of brighter cymbals

[@chrisw5742]

On my Taylor GS mini bass it is amaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazing sounding in dark mode.

[@k1eea]

It's always a good day when there is another Booth Junkie video!!! Thank you for the great content, Michael!!!

[@derekh989]

That key feature, while convenient, doesn't instill a lot of confidence. Maybe if I got it in my hands it would feel sturdier than it looks, but I'm imagining a nightmare scenario where you're mounting it for a session and it breaks off and then you're stuck. Even though my biggest gripe about the SM7B is the mounting system, I don't really worry about it failing. Otherwise the mic seemed to perform really well, and sounds like a modern version of the SM7B with more detail and clarity (for better or worse). I do love the built-in signal booster.

[@dab745]

So smooth

[@sasuke1243]

Man I was literally about to buy the Rode Rodecaster Pro Podcasting Bundle with the SM7B but now I want the Stealth!! DX guess I'm glad I saw this before buying the SM7B.

[@vladlabyrinth6335]

very bad idea

[@arbitermatt]

Rode Procaster is a great mic though

[@TheKingmanthe1]

I have both mics....The sm7b will last you your life time...The Aston has terrible build quality and has a lot of interference.

[@UriskOfTheFae]

Definitely a cool mic! Also cool: I noticed that one of the preamps that Shure was suggesting for the SM7b is the Grace Design m101. I'm dreaming of trying that one.

[@LongBeachRunner]

Nice haircut, Mike. :) Looking sharp.

[@anonymousx2951]

gay

[@ramspencer5492]

Really a nice option of you use it for music as well. Just ordered one.

[@Doodlez4]

Nice to hear from you again and the blue background lighting looks great

[@johniepee]

Makes you wonder why shure don’t release an upgraded sm7b so there’s no gain issue for the average home studio user 🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️

[@DaftCatBrewing]

Thanks for that. Been wanting to upgrade from my Rode procaster for some time as it looks big and bulky in it's shockmount and I like both the sound and look of this so now I have a stealth on the way

[@KingDracSiege]

Good to see you posting again mike!

[@sasaha8389]

I own a mic activator similar to the cloudlifter for 35 bucks and is is noisless gain of +25 db

[@TimothyMathews]

I noticed that some of the frequencies in Mike's voice appeared to be missing in the Stealth. I think they were in the mids, but I'm not certain.

[@HelamanGile]

My lgv30 tops out at 75 DB of gain preamp is super powerful providing up to 60 watts of phantom power or at least that's what I read out with meters I just plug everything into my smartphone now though I actually have to turn down the gain on most of my microphones would negative DB because it's usually not the volume I want way too loud one thing else I like about it is it record 24 bit flac 192khz

[@ThePracticalMechanic]

Awesome!! I love my Aston Origin mic. I will have to check around and see if someone has a mic I can demo.

[@niclastname]

I'm only 3 minutes in, but to me the SM7B might sound more "impressive" with more low end, but the Stealth sounds a lot more clear and detailed, to my ears anyway.

[@Sajin688]

Awesome review as always Mike!

[@SuperDerek]

Always awesome to see a new video from Booth Junkie! :D

[@Mondo_182]

I've been wanting to research this mic, it's on my wishlist

[@ruebenherrera206]

I was always wondering why nobody has thought of putting a preamp inside lol

[@thaiwatchdog]

Thx for the thorough review 🙏

[@kennymonty8206]

For friction fit engineering, they should look at kydex holsters. I mean, if it's secure enough for a dangerous weapon, surely it's good enough for a mic.

[@JackFright]

Good to see you, Mike. Thanks for the video.

[@jadewolf3416]

I feel the sm7b has more bass and warmth to it, despite it being a tiny bit muddy at the higher end due to cut frequency, that can be adjusted and really isn't that muddy as an end result. Great comparison!

[@thevoiceoveroutlaw]

I've been set on getting the re20 in order to have a dynamic mic option in the locker. Now, I might have to look further into the Aston Stealth.

[@saintmora]

I hate your channel. Ever since I discovered it, I keep wanting to try all of these new microphones when I know that the SM7B I already have is perfectly fine. You're super informative with a great personality man, love the content.

[@pililogan5769]

I thought your review was awesome. Very thorough. I love it. Keep it up. I am totally in love with this mic now.

[@CamGTS]

Awesome and incredibly helpful review. Thank you

[@benantell5452]

Great review!

[@meatsheeld]

Awesome video, I would love to hear it in comparison to one of the electrovoice Dynamics if you're planning on doing more videos with it.

[@iancraig]

Thanks Mike. It sounds great.

[@Mr.Leenus]

Love your videos good sir , keep up the good work . I also would like to make a request , could you do a comparison between the Aston Stealth and Synco Mic D-2 Shotgun Mic ? . i would LOVE to hear that

[@TheKingmanthe1]

Just picked up the Aston stealth and I have had the sm 7b over a year.....The build quality of the Aston is lacking and is prone to electrical interference along with a bad mounting system made of plastic and when attached to a Rode psa1 boom arm is unstable, the Internal shock mount does not seem to be helping anything. The sound it self is not bad, I kinda like it I just wish they put more time into the build quality....I would pay an extra $100.00 if they improved the interference resistance, mic mount and shock mount....The Sm7b connected to the same set up does not pick up any interference....I can't hear any noise....Also when he moved the sm7b...Mine has zero movement when mounted. PLEASE TRY BOTH !

[@niclastname]

Can you clarify or give examples of why or when you'd ever want to have the mic be able to flip upside down/backwards like you were saying around 13:00? I can see why you'd want it to go to 90 degrees, but if you need it to go beyond 90 why wouldn't you just turn it around on the stand? Sorry if this is a noob question, I just can't figure out why you'd need to do that.

[@xHadesStamps]

Cables are why I prefer the Triton Audio Fethead or sE Electronics dynamite over Cloud Cloudlifter.

[@JeremyLeech]

Same here! I use the fethead

[@chrisw5742]

I got a Stealth a few days ago. It is amazing for SINGING and guitar. I have had an SM7B with Cloudlifter before and wasn't impressed. I have had a TLM102 and many other mics also. The Stealth is better than them all. It even beats my ribbon for acoustic guitar and I didn't think it was going to be able to. And one mic that may have some bad reviews that I want is the Aston Element. I have hand drums and stuff that are HARD to mic in but I think the Element would do it.

[@chrisw5742]

Messing with the Stealth in dark mode on my Taylor GS mini bass acoustic.... OMG best recorded bass tone I ever had.

[@Brani1974]

Yes exactly! As soon as I got my Q2U I realised most dynamic mics are pretty quiet and could use more gain. Why don't they do this on all mics?! Why are people force to buy extra cloudlifter?!!

[@tommysa3atf714]

Hello Mike! I am totally in love with your videos and will be happy every time I see you released a new one! Have tested most dynamic microphones myself and also many capacitor microphones. I mostly do amateur radio and pod casts and have fallen in love with the Heil PR40 and Electrovoice RE20, other favorites are the Rode NT1 and an outsider TSM MT47 and especially their Muneo which I find reproduces my dark voice very well. Feel after this video that I have to check out this Aston Stealth microphone. When I started listening to my monitors I immediately felt wow, I like this big bottom. After listening to my headphones, I feel it will be a little muddy versus the Shure mike. Must, however, test this microphone myself to determine how it fits me and my equipment. Of course, it's a big bonus with the built-in gain and the bling bling lighting;) Keep up the good job Mike and I wish you a really enjoyable weekend. Best regards from Sweden.

[@beatsbyandrew]

love your reviews! so detailed for pros and approachable for lamens alike.

[@BrianMackey2010]

good to see you back :)

[@cjsebes]

Another great comparison and review. Thank you, Sir Junkie. Now I just need to hit the lottery to buy more of these killer mics.

[@yuranival]

Ay! Great mic, great review, great comparison. Missed your vids : )

[@nhokboqn123]

its lovely

[@dewetstrydom3597]

I've always loved Sure mics but hell that stealth sounds fantastic!!!! Like it more than the 7B.

[@CleanCutAudio]

Preferred the Stealth with the Audient gain cranked over the later portion with its activator engaged.

[@21Virtues]

I Really enjoyed this and i was split between the two but not anymore, I have a clear winner!

[@KatieRosee]

HOW DO YOU TURN IT ON?

[@crazyKurious]

Hey Mike ! How do you master your loudness ? Your voice comes silky smooth 🙂. Do you push to 14 LUFS ?

[@IWriteDrama]

Color me impressed with the Aston.

[@WorldWideVoiceOver]

Hi, Mike. I've been seriously looking at an Aston mic as my next purchase for my VO studio. You mention several times that the Stealth would be great for podcasting etc but I am curious as to what you think of it as a possible mic for recording voice overs. (The majority of my VO work is corporate explainers, B2B videos, and commercials.) Thanks again for yet another great review. I'm always looking forward to your next video. Cheers, Ken

[@Aleziss]

with my headphones, listening to your voice, I feel the SM7B has more clarity to it in the mid range, I also think it sounded better when you were really close to it, but then, when you switch to the Stealth, it gives you a smooth deepper voice maybe ? I dinda like it ! but each time you switch back to the SM7B, I think this is more your voice... Both sounded really good ! I like how smooth the Stealth is but I also like how clearer the SM7B is for your particular voice... It would be a tough choice..

[@teawithteddy2185]

LOVE the hair due!

[@citizenstrife]

What I worry about with the SM7B and Stealth both (because of the top heavy, end address design), is how it would handle being on a boom arm in a sort of tight space. I use a "HUGE" monitor due to vision reasons, so that limits the space I have to work with a mic of those kinds. Probably why I can't due the RE20, cause that Shockmount is just insanely big. I wanted to ask if you tried or had any issues with either of those microphones on a boom arm in tight spaces. Thank you. There are very few top flight mics I'm considering as a top tier replacement one day, but Stealth is on there!

[@Moonfreeze]

I was looking for a SM7B for recording metal vocals, but it was sold out everywhere. I bought a Aston Stealth instead. Maybe I'll find a bunch of them on the second hand market if/when podcasting/youtubing becomes a thing of the past :)

[@Mcsteveberry]

should i buy an SM7B? 🤔

[@markrussell.]

If I'm going this route I'm getting the SM7B, having said that great video!

[@porttek0oficial]

Nice job Mike ! You are awesome, your videos are better than any asmr videos. (y)

[@TheMajinTrunks]

There's one thing I really really REALLY don't get in this video. With the need to buy the phantom power amplifier for the SM7B, and it being more expensive.... Wouldn't it have made much more sense to SHOW the difference? As in Stealth Microhone phantom power on vs SM7B without the amplifier? Oh yeah after that you do plug in the amplifier, as you did, but you basically skipped the apples to apples comparison: what happens if i just use the SM7B out of box vs the Stealth out of box.

[@Alex_3311DesignCo]

I would love to see you try out a Neat King Bee

[@mitschcrafter6766]

omg you are back. ive been missing videos from you.

[@vinceskinner9357]

Welcome back 🥳

[@enriquekahn9405]

Before watching this, I'm a big fan of this mic and I'm really interested to see your take on it

[@arbitermatt]

They just need to make an active version of the SM7B, it still sounds great

[@_Trakman]

Omg yes

[@ramspencer5492]

Why not.... But I actually like the sound of the Aston more..... Especially for music.

[@JohnDoe-fu4qd]

ITs hard to really hear the mics when you review, because you eq and process all of it. They all sound great. Tube compressor and eq and noise gate. It would be nice to hear them raw to get an honest sound.

[@rucosantana]

Great video Mike! I appreciate your input and evaluation, in fact this video made me pull the trigger and got me the Aston Stealth, however mine sounds staticy, and as if the gain were too high when it is not,, I've tried adjusting my buffer settings in Protocols but that doesn't seem to fix the problem, would you have any suggestions? I'm using a Focusrite 2i2 2nd gen as my audio interface.. what audio interface are you using? Thanks!

[@Evenchully]

For retail I think you just go with the tried and true SM7B. Unless budget is an issue because imo a cloudlifter seems necessary. That puts the SM7B at $550 + mixer/preamp and the Stealth at $390 + (shockmount) + mixer/preamp. Aston shockmount is like 80 I think so call the Stealth $470 to be fair to the 7B. For that price comparison it's the 7B any day of the week for me. Even with the cloudlifter. However, I just found a slightly used Stealth for $200 on Facebook. So now things have changed. I think I'd be a moron to pass on the Stealth for $200. At that price point I don't think there is a mic on the planet that can compete. Edit: Back again after a year to update.... I loved the Stealth while it lasted. I don't remember if it just fell off the stand for some reason or my cat bumped it and it toppled (the mic is unbelievably top heavy). It broke something in the XLR input area and I'm not sure if I can get that fixed but I haven't tried. Up until that point the Stealth was a SOLID mic but a lot has changed in a year. SM7b is now $360 and Stealth is $280. I think the 7b is the safe bet.

[@peterjonassen5107]

is 10:17 have weird crash?

[@DannyAlvarez2004]

Mike, would you make a video for voice-care tips and tricks you use to not loose resilience, tone, and power. I am a new narrator who bought the SM7B on your recommendation. I am on the 4i4 and the @GuitarCenter sales associate told me that the @Focusrite 4i4 does not require the cloud lifter. This is, primarily for an audiobook application although I hope to dive into the corporate e-learning and commercial/ads realm at first opportunity. THANK YOU for your dedication and amazing information. I actually saw the Aston Stealth there yesterday, but was not familiar with the brand. I'm still within my 45-day window as I just bought the SM7B, though I was offered a custom package for $10 bucks more... I got the Audiotechnica MTH-M40x (was dissuaded from the comparable Shure Monitors) Monitor headset and a 5' Livewire XLR Cable :-) I'll take your thoughts off air... Wish me luck on what I hope will turn into my new career.

[@DannyAlvarez2004]

@boothjunkie that was a message for you, sir Mike :-)

[@vinny142]

Hello Again Booth Junkie!