Alien8: a radical figure-8 dynamic microphone, refined

The Alien8 is back.
A figure-8 dynamic microphone built around a very uncommon dual-capsule design, now returning in a new iteration.

From the start, the Alien8 was never meant to be a general-purpose microphone. It was designed for sources where low-frequency energy matters, but where definition, punch and midrange clarity must remain intact. This new version stays true to that idea, while refining the execution.

A new iteration, same concept, better execution

The philosophy behind the Alien8 hasn’t changed, but the physical design has clearly evolved.

This new iteration features a solid aluminium body, offering increased rigidity and improved mechanical stability compared to the previous version. This isn’t just about durability or aesthetics. Better mechanical behaviour means fewer unwanted resonances and more consistent results, whether the mic is used in a studio environment or on loud stages.

The goal remains the same: capture weight and impact without losing control.

Designed for sources that need authority and clarity

The Alien8 is a figure-8 dynamic microphone built for sources that generate a lot of low-frequency content, but still need to cut through a mix.

Typical use cases include kick drum, bass guitar amplifiers and guitar amplifiers.

Rather than exaggerating the low end, the Alien8 aims to deliver controlled bass, focused mids, and a sense of immediacy that often requires very little corrective processing later on.

Two dynamic capsules, one very intentional design

At the core of the Alien8 are two identical 50 mm dynamic transducers, originally designed as headphone drivers and repurposed here as microphone capsules.

One capsule faces forward, the other faces backward.
Both operate in figure-8.

As with ribbon microphones, the front and rear lobes do not sound exactly the same. Instead of trying to eliminate this behaviour, the Alien8 turns it into a creative and practical tool for shaping the sound at the source.

Shaping the sound directly on the microphone

A three-position switch allows you to choose how the capsules are used.

The upper capsule delivers more attack and presence.
The lower capsule brings more weight and low-end body.
Using both capsules provides a balanced combination of impact and mass.

In all cases, the polar pattern remains figure-8.
You’re not changing microphones. You’re changing perspective.

A sound that feels finished early

In practice, the Alien8 often gives the impression that the sound is already shaped at the capture stage.

It tends to sit forward in a mix, with minimal EQ and very little corrective work needed. This makes it a strong choice when fast decision-making matters, or when you want the source to define its place naturally rather than being sculpted later.

A textbook kick drum application

Placed inside a kick drum, in dual-capsule mode, the Alien8 shows exactly what this design is about.

The upper capsule captures the beater attack.
The lower capsule captures the low-frequency energy of the resonant head.

One microphone. Two perspectives.
And crucially, perfect phase coherence, something that’s difficult to achieve with multiple microphones.

Why it makes sense at Cool Kids Audio

The Alien8 isn’t meant to be everything to everyone.
It’s a microphone built around a clear idea, designed to solve a specific set of problems with intelligence and intent.

At Cool Kids Audio, we value tools that have a strong and coherent concept, reduce the need for corrective processing, and help engineers make confident decisions early.

The Alien8 fits perfectly into that philosophy.
A focused, well-thought-out microphone, refined in its latest iteration, and unapologetic in what it’s designed to do.