The Audix A231 is a large diaphragm condenser microphone designed for studio applications, featuring an externally-biased ‘true condenser’ capsule and low-noise circuitry. It is engineered to capture the nuances of the human voice and the overtones of acoustic instruments with natural warmth and detail. The microphone utilises a consistent cardioid polar pattern to focus on the performance while providing smooth off-axis rejection, and it is designed, machined, assembled, and tested by Audix in Wilsonville, Oregon.
The Audix A231 features a 33 mm externally-biased condenser capsule with a precision-tensioned diaphragm made from a specially formulated, heat-treated film. Gold deposition is distributed evenly to the far edges of the diaphragm, resulting in a 25% greater effective diaphragm area compared to the capsule of a typical large diaphragm microphone. The diaphragm is 29 mm in diameter and 3.4 microns thick.
Behind the double-woven steel mesh grille, acoustic reflections and diffractions are minimised for transparent sound capture. An internal shock mount isolates the capsule from mechanical vibrations, eliminating the need for a bulky external shock mount. Proprietary impedance control between the capsule and circuitry ensures consistent and reliable performance across a wide range of environments.
The microphone body is machined from solid aircraft-grade aluminium alloy, finished with black anodizing and laser engraving, and includes a gold-plated brass band. The grille is constructed from steel alloy with an ultra-thin acoustic foam. The internal circuitry includes a low-noise preamp and an active driven shield. The A231 is a low impedance microphone that requires 48 V phantom power and should be connected to a ‘mic level’ input on a console, mixer, or recording device.
The Audix A231 is suitable for vocals, choir, voiceover, podcasting, piano, and acoustic instruments. It is supplied with a POUCHAXMED protective zippered carrying case and a DCLIP heavy-duty nylon molded snap-on clip. Optional accessories include the APS2 two-channel 48 V phantom power supply, TRIPOD metal tripod desktop mic stand, STANDKD short pedestal stand with telescoping boom arm, DFLEX dual pivot rim mounted clip, CBL20 20-foot premium XLR-XLR balanced mic cable, CBLDR25 25-foot premium right angle XLR balanced mic cable, and PD133 pop diffuser.
Features
- 33 mm externally-biased condenser capsule
- 25% greater effective diaphragm area
- Cardioid polar pattern
- Proprietary internal shock mount
- Low noise preamp circuitry
- Machined aluminium body with gold-plated brass band