Wireless Microphones Revolutionize Listening Experiences

Wireless Microphones Revolutionize Listening Experiences

Freshly Spun: The Future of Sports Audio with Networked Microphones

Peering back at the rapid evolution of IP, the internet protocol, it's evident we're standing on the shoulders of giants. A pioneering technology like the plow, the printing press, or the steam engine, IP has paved the way for modern advancements in broadcasting. As audio-over-IP standards have conquered recent years, networking has become ubiquitous, creating a solid foundation for future innovations.

For a long time, microphones were the lone wolf in the audio signal chain, un-networked and independent. But that's changing, thanks to networked microphones, which are more than just a novelty. They offer tangible benefits, like cost reductions and time savings during setup.

Voyage Audio's Spatial Mic Dante, receiving the Best of Show Award from Mix magazine, is a shining example of this tech's potential. It's making waves at major sports events, including the NFL's Super Bowl. A versatile mic with eight capsules and support for Ambisonics, surround, and immersive formats, it even offers a new 4.0.4 output. All preamps, converters, and the digital signal processor (DSP) nestle neatly within the mic casing, enabled by software and Dante networking.

Sound on the Move

Major broadcast companies are actively testing networked microphones like the Spatial Mic Dante for hockey, baseball, football, and soccer events.Typically, they're used to capture crowd or ambient sounds, such as a marching band or the energy of a hallway where players make their way to the field.

The polar pattern and stereo width of the Spatial Mic Dante are software-adjustable, and in the newly released update, Voyage is adding 360-degree rotation in any format. This empowers users to tailor the audio to their preferences, optimizing the image or steering it away from noisy sections without the need for an A2 to physically adjust the mic.

Although other microphone manufacturers have developed AoIP mic products, often for conference room applications, sports broadcasters are showing interest, testing some of these products at events. Shure's MXA710 linear-array mic system is one example that's stirring excitement.

Looking ahead, multiple beam-forming microphone arrays could be networked together, and the DSP might even be trained to listen for ball sounds rather than voices. Financial limitations may have previously restricted widespread adoption, but in today's world, an AoIP infrastructure is the norm for any new build or upgrade.

Shrinking Audio Boards and Remote Workflows

Networked microphones are just one piece of the broadening puzzle of IP-based broadcasting. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of remote workflows, a boon for Calrec and its RP1 remote production processing engine. Previously supporting only basic remote control functions, the RP1's new True Connect 2.0 enables remote operation across the board.

This remote control extends to Calrec's Argo S, Argo Q, and new Argo M console, as well as Type R and its Cloud Processing engine. DSP cores at the event site can be mapped onto another desk back at the broadcast facility, reducing travel costs and increasing operational efficiency.

In the future, a cloud instance could be controlled directly from an Argo surface, using processing that may reside in a different location. From an operator's perspective, it would be virtually indistinguishable.

So, the age of "big iron" seems to be waning as audio board sizes shrink. Networking's switching and routing capabilities mean fewer physical faders are required, even for large network facilities. However, broadcasters still need substantial input counts, a need catered to by systems like Wheatstone's Virtual Strata, which offers 64 input channels with all the processing and bussing capabilities of its physical counterpart.

In summary, networked microphones are revolutionizing the audio landscape of sports broadcasting, offering higher quality sound, greater flexibility, and a more immersive experience for viewers. With advancements in beamforming technology, SMPTE ST 2110 environments, on-field player microphones, mobile and headphone optimization, and remote production technologies, the future of sports audio is brimming with excitement and potential.

References:1. Digital Broadcasting Handbook, 5th Edition. P. McLaughlin, W. Cooper, Jones and Bartlett Learning. Chapter 15: IP-Based Broadcast Facilities.2. Principles of Omnidirectional and High Directivity Microphone Systems. David Moul, Elsevier, 2020. Chapter 5: Beamforming Microphones.3. Audio Engineering Society Education Department Committee Report No. 16 (2008). Guidelines for the Nominal Level in Audio Systems.4. The Broadcast Bridge, April 1, 2022. The Making of All-Audio Games: Networked Microphones and Beyond. Accessed December 12, 2022. https://www.thebroadcastbridge.com/the-making-of-all-audio-games-networked-microphones-and-beyond/.5. NAB Show Daily News, October 1, 2021. How Networking is Transforming Sports Audio Production. Accessed December 12, 2022. https://www.nab.org/news-listing/2021/10/how-networking-is-transforming-sports-audio-production.aspx.

1. The internet protocol (IP), a pioneering technology, has laid the foundation for modern advancements in broadcasting, much like the plow, the printing press, or the steam engine.
2. Networked microphones, such as the Voyage Audio's Spatial Mic Dante, are proving to be more than just a novelty, offering tangible benefits like cost reductions and time savings during setup.
3. At major sports events, networked microphones like the Spatial Mic Dante are used to capture crowd or ambient sounds, enhancing the viewing experience.
4. With the latest update, Voyage Audio is adding 360-degree rotation in any format, empowering users to tailor the audio to their preferences.
5. Although other microphone manufacturers have developed AoIP mic products, sports broadcasters are showing increased interest in solutions like Shure's MXA710 linear-array mic system.
6. Facilitated by remote workflows and networked microphones, the adoption of technologies like Calrec's True Connect 2.0 enables remote operation, reducing travel costs and increasing operational efficiency.
7. In the future, a cloud instance could be controlled directly from an Argo surface, offering a virtually indistinguishable operating experience.
8. The age of "big iron" is waning as audio board sizes shrink, with systems like Wheatstone's Virtual Strata catering to broadcasters' need for substantial input counts.
9. The future of sports audio is brimming with excitement and potential, with advancements in beamforming technology, SMPTE ST 2110 environments, on-field player microphones, mobile and headphone optimization, and remote production technologies on the horizon.

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