Shure Debuts First Digital Array Mic for MEA Broadcasts
▼ Summary
– Shure has introduced the DCA901 Planar Array Microphone, designed to redefine audio capture for sports, studio, and live event broadcasting.
– The microphone uses digitally steerable lobes and onboard processing to isolate sources, reduce noise, and minimize the number of microphones and cables needed.
– It provides up to eight isolated channels of high-fidelity audio and supports both modern and traditional broadcast formats like 5.1 and stereo.
– The DCA901 simplifies workflows with remote control capabilities, a single-cable connection, and reduced setup time, enhancing efficiency for audio engineers.
– Shure is collaborating with EDGE Sound Research to integrate the microphone with real-time software for dynamic, object-based audio in sports broadcasting.
Shure has unveiled the DCA901 Planar Array Microphone, a groundbreaking digital audio solution set to transform broadcast production across the Middle East and Africa. This innovative microphone system promises to deliver pristine, immersive sound while dramatically simplifying setup and operation for live events, sports, and studio environments.
Engineered to meet the growing demand for high-quality audio in the region’s expanding entertainment and sports sectors, the DCA901 introduces a new level of precision and flexibility. Its digitally steerable lobes and integrated digital signal processing allow audio engineers to isolate specific sound sources, reduce background noise, and maintain full control over the audio mix in real time. This capability means fewer microphones and cables are needed, streamlining workflows and reducing complexity.
As the inaugural product in Shure’s Arqos portfolio, the DCA901 combines array microphone technology with advanced software and processing to offer cleaner audio capture and remote management. Dave Grundtvig, Senior Audio Supervisor for Remote Operations, shared his experience after testing the system during an NBA game. He noted that just two DCA901 arrays provided coverage equivalent to twelve traditional microphones, calling the results “unbelievable” and highlighting the product’s potential to revolutionize broadcast workflows.
Nick Wood, Associate Vice President of Global Marketing and Product Management at Shure, emphasized how the DCA901 addresses the increasing complexity of modern audio capture. “With this system,” he explained, “engineers can achieve more with less, pulling viewers closer to the action through superior sound quality and simplified setups.”
Key features of the DCA901 include:
- Unmatched Detail: The microphone captures up to eight isolated channels of high-fidelity audio, supporting both 5.1 and stereo formats. Its steerable lobes excel at isolating voices and on-field sounds while minimizing crowd noise.
- Superior Control: Real-time digital tools, including automixing, EQ, compression, and delay, ensure consistent audio quality with minimal need for post-production adjustments.
- Simplified Workflows: A single Dante or AES67 connection carries audio, power, and control signals, reducing cable clutter and speeding up installation. The low-profile design integrates discreetly into any environment, and remote control options support off-site adjustments and REMI workflows.
In a strategic partnership, Shure is collaborating with EDGE Sound Research to integrate the DCA901 with their Virtual Sound Engine software. This combination allows the system to dynamically track moving objects such as players or a ball, opening new creative possibilities for sports broadcasters. Valtteri Salomaki, Co-Founder and CEO of EDGE Sound Research, described the collaboration as a step toward “dynamic, object-based broadcasts” that enhance fan engagement.
Audio professionals who have tested the DCA901 report impressive results. Ian Vysick praised its ability to deliver a natural, immersive audience sound, while Brian Robertson noted its superior capture of nuanced sounds like a baseball meeting a bat. Martin Farrelly highlighted how the system allows engineers to follow extended action sequences rather than isolated moments.
The DCA901 is scheduled for release next year, marking a significant expansion of Shure’s offerings in the digital broadcast and sports audio markets.
(Source: MEA Tech Watch)