Pliant Technologies Microcom vs Microcom XR

MicroCom 900M is a ’MicroCom 900M is a compact, economical wireless intercom system that operates in the 900 MHz frequency band (where legal) to provide excellent range and performance. The system features small, lightweight belt packs and provides excellent sound quality, ease-of-use, and long-life battery operation. For those applications where budget and quality are critical, MicroCom 900M is an effective wireless intercom solution that delivers in both price and performance, all without the need for a basestation.

For applications such as single event rooms, stage productions, or any other simple application where a small, yet affordable robust intercom system needs to be deployed, MicroCom delivers the performance and price often needed for smaller houses of worship facilities, videographers, corporate events, schools, and more.

Designed with advanced RF technology and its software is tailored for professional use, MicroCom features Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum Technology (FHSS) with low latency (less than 35ms). While intended for professional use, the system is very simple to set-up and easy-to-use, which is an added benefit for a facility or event that is working with less-technical staff and volunteers. In addition, MicroCom offers exceptional sound and range in comparison to other intercom systems at this price point, providing more features and performance to users with smaller budgets.

Pliant Technologies' MicroCom XR is the newest solution in affordable wireless intercom for applications where high-quality audio, extended range, and ease-of-use are essential. MicroCom XR is a full-duplex, multi-user, robust two-channel intercom system available in 2.4GHz and 900MHz (where legal) that provides extended range, a 12-hour (field-replaceable) battery, replaceable antenna, optional drop-in charger, as well as the ability to have up to 10 full-duplex users.

Additionally, MicroCom XR provides unlimited listeners in addition to duplex users, all without the need for a base station, providing flexibility for a range of applications such as small-medium video productions, theaters, event venues, and concerts. Also now available are the Pliant SmartBoom® professional headsets featuring the convenient flip-up microphone muting feature, as well as several other microphone options that are compatible with all MicroCom systems.

For more information or to schedule a demo call 815-271-3000 or email sales@audiobiz.com

Shure AD3 - Axient Digital Plug-On Wireless Transmitter

Gather and report news. Capture audio for film and television. Secure all the comments from the interview. But do so with impeccable audio quality and RF performance while taking advantage of wide-tuning and encryption with an Axient Digital plug-on transmitter. Take any wired microphone and make it wireless for any number of reasons and purposes. Axient Digital AD3 plug-on wireless transmitter. Portable, professional quality.

For more info or to schedule a demo call 815-270-3000 or email sales@audiobiz.com

Attero Tech by QSC unBT2A in-wall Bluetooth® Audio Interface

Eliminate frustrating Bluetooth experiences for your end users!

The Attero Tech by QSC unBT2A is a single-gang, Decora style, in-wall Bluetooth® audio interface aimed at adding Bluetooth® audio connectivity to installed audio systems. The unBT2A can be used in any venue where there’s a need to stream Bluetooth® audio from a smartphone, laptop, tablet or other Bluetooth® audio equipped smart device to the sound system. Through the Axiom AXP2O expander unit, which is included with the unBT2A kit, the product outputs balanced mono or stereo analog audio on 3-pin depluggable connectors for easy connection to commercial AV equipment, including the Q-SYS Ecosystem.

For more information or to schedule a demo call 815.271.3000

Shure Expands Microflex® Advance™ Array Microphone Portfolio With New MXA710 For Premium Audio Capture

Building on the success of its Microflex Advance line of microphones for AV conferencing, Shure is launching the MXA710 Linear Array Microphone. A major component in Shure’s new conferencing audio ecosystem, it represents the next evolution in Shure array microphone technology. 

This new model is designed for high-quality audio capture in premium AV conferencing environments. Whether it’s under or next to a wall-mounted display, suspended from the ceiling or flush mounted in a table, the low-profile form factor of the MXA710 subtly blends into any meeting room aesthetic without sacrificing audio quality. It is an ideal alternative for spaces where the MXA910 or MXA310 might not be the best option.

Patented Steerable Coverage™ technology captures audio anywhere in the room, featuring four lobes with the 2-foot array, and eight lobes with 4-foot array. 

“No matter where presenters are seated, the MXA710 will be able to automatically capture their speech, minimizing other sounds in the room, to deliver clear, precise audio,” said Jim Schanz, VP, Global Integrated Systems Sales, at Shure. “With the explosive growth in demand for software-based video conferencing solutions such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, this is a tremendous option for providing quality audio conferencing in any type of room.”

With onboard IntelliMix® DSP, the MXA710 provides Automatic Mixing, Acoustic Echo Cancellation, Noise Reduction, and Automatic Gain Control, providing all the processing needed for echo and noise-free audio, ensuring end users experience a high-quality, unifying AV conference experience. Autofocus™ technology fine-tunes each lobe position in real-time, adjusting for meeting participant movements.

Using Designer System Configuration software for deployment, room coverage templates enable quick and easy lobe optimization specifically for wall, ceiling, or table installations.

Available in 2-foot (60cm) or 4-foot (120cm) lengths and three colors (white, black, and aluminum), the MXA710 is compatible with both Dante and AES67 audio networking protocols. It is PoE-powered and features LED status bars at each end of the array with configurable colors and brightness. The smaller form factor is ideal for huddle rooms and smaller meeting spaces that are being equipped with video conferencing to provide greater virtual meeting capacity.

Also being introduced alongside the MXA710 Linear Array is the MXA Network Mute Button, a configurable PoE-powered mute button accessory designed for mute/unmuting of Shure networked systems products, including all MXA Arrays, as well as the IntelliMix® P300 and IntelliMix Room DSPs and ANIUSB-MATRIX Audio Network Interface. It provides simple, programming-free mute functionality for one or many networked devices in a room and is also compatible with third-party control systems via command strings.  

“The MXA710 and MXA Network Mute Button are additional options for integrators as they evaluate the Shure audio ecosystem,” continued Schanz. “The ecosystem – microphones, software, DSP, accessories, speakers – is appealing because it is flexible and highly scalable for an audio system architecture in all room types and ensures end users will experience a high-quality, more unifying AV conference experience.”

MXA710 will be available globally later this year.

New SKB Size Charts for iSeries and 3R Series

SKB has some new size charts for the iSeries and 3R Series cases. We’ve added many new sizes, especially in the R Series. Download or review the iSeries comparison chart for the insane size options.

3R Series Size Chart

iSeries Comparison

QSC QSYS Updated Features in v8.3.1 Firmware

QSC QSYS Updated Features in v8.3.1 Firmware

Now Including Software-based Dante

Add Dante to your Q-SYS system without additional hardware or I/O cards. Now supported on the Q-SYS 110f, Dante network audio can be added to your system through a simple software update. Skip the screwdriver! 

Note: Q-SYS Designer Software v8.3.1 is required.

Additional Feature Updates

• NV Series video endpoints: Customizable text-fields for idle screens on a per-device basis and additional color space support.

• New loudspeaker voicings added: AD-P.HALO integrated pendant-mount loudspeaker system and revised Wideline8 loudspeaker components.

• General software improvements: New Search and Filtering function in Q-SYS Configurator and optimized firmware updates for systems with many peripherals.

For more information call 815-271-3000 or sales@audiobiz.com

THE NEW SHURE AONIC 50 AND 215 WIRELESS HEADPHONES

Shure has been making audio products for nearly a hundred years, and in that time they’ve earned the adoration of some of history’s most popular musicians, cementing their status as one of the top names in the business. But while audio industry pros laud the brand’s technical prowess, you don’t often see their name brought up alongside typical consumer brands in discussions about what gear to get. That looks to change with the brand’s newest release, the Shure AONIC wireless headphones. These new models sport slick designs and are packed with the premium audio technology that Shure has honed over the last century, ticking all the right boxes to make them a consumer favorite.

First up are the Shure AONIC 50 wireless noise-cancelling headphones. These over-ear cans promise premium sound, and feature a build quality to match. Audio comes from a pair of full-range 50mm drivers pushed by a dedicated amp, for studio-quality sound. And compatibility with just about every high-end audio codec—aptX HD, Sony’s Hi-Res LDAC, AAC, among others—means that audio fidelity should match a traditional wired connection. The active noise cancelling features three stages of sensitivity, and can be adjusted through the ShurePlus PLAY app. Physical buttons on the side of the right earcup let you control playback, take phone calls, or turn off the active noise cancellation.

The Shure AONIC 50 headphones feature robust aluminum arms to stand up to constant use on the road, while a padded headband and cushy memory foam ear pads let you listen in comfort all day long—and with a claimed 20-hour battery life, you can do just that. The AONIC 50 are substantial, but a fold-flat design and included carrying case should make them a bit easier to travel with. Shure also includes a standard 3.5mm audio cable, so you can go on listening if your battery ever runs out.

Next up: the Shure AONIC 215 earphones, which feature the brand’s first truly wireless design. Shure has opted for a form factor that’s a little different than most of the truly wireless headphones on the market today, with an over-the-ear design that mimics that of their popular in-ear monitors. This, combined with Shure’s foam ear tips, should give them a secure fit that won’t come loose in even the most extreme situations. Those foam tips also give the AONIC 215 some pretty stellar noise isolation capabilities, blocking up to 37dB of outside noise. As this is a passive technology, it can’t be turned off, but for those times when you want to let the outside world in, Shure’s Environment Mode uses the earphones’ microphones to let you hear ambient noises. Passive noise isolation is a great alternative for users who get bothered by the ear canal pressure that many active noise cancelling headphones can induce.

One really great perk to the AONIC 215 headphones is that they still ascribe to Shure’s love of modularity. Though they’re designed primarily as a truly wireless device, an optional cable attachment means you can still use them with devices that don’t support wireless audio—like a plane entertainment system—or just revert to standard plugged connection when your batteries die. Battery life anxiety is still one of the most commonly-cited reasons people don’t choose truly wireless earbuds, and the Shure AONIC 215 offers a great remedy.

Both models use Bluetooth 5 for a secure wireless connection up to 30 feet from the audio source, utilize the ShurePlus PLAY app for access to equalizers and environment mode settings, and come covered by a two-year warranty. The Shure AONIC headphones are now in-stock and ready to ship.

For more information or to place an order call 815-271-3000

Denon DN-900R Network SD/USB Audio Recorder with Dante 2 x 2 Interface

DN-900R

Network SD/USB Audio Recorder with Dante 2 x 2 Interface

Taking its place as Denon Professional’s flagship recording product, the DN-900R Dante/Network SD/USB Recorder is designed to meet the needs of the most demanding installations, combining high-quality audio recording with extensive network capabilities. With a powerful feature set and using the most reliable solid-state recording media, the DN-900R enables AV installation professionals to replace traditional recording devices with superior solid-state hardware in the widest range of applications.

Housed in a compact 1U rack-mountable chassis, the DN-900R offers Dante 2-in/2-out network compatibility as well as recording to both reliable SD card (two slots, 512GB ea.) and USB storage media. The unit can be configured for ‘dual’ simultaneous recording to both formats or ‘relay/cascade’ recording where longer recording times are desirable.

Designed for professional environments, the DN-900R features versatile connectivity including balanced XLR analog audio and AES/EBU digital I/O, as well as unbalanced analog connections and SPDIF. 

For more information or to schedule a demo call 815-271-3000 or email sales@audiobiz.com

ALLEN & HEATH LAUNCHES AHM-64 AUDIO MATRIX PROCESSOR FOR SCALABLE INSTALLATION

Allen & Heath has revealed AHM-64, a powerful new 64x64 Audio Matrix Processor supported by a comprehensive ecosystem of scalable I/O, control and Dante solutions. Targeted at corporate, retail, leisure and education environments, AHM-64 allows integrators to quickly create systems that build from a single boardroom to a complete campus.

“We asked integrators and consultants what they looked for in a next-generation matrix processor. Scalable I/O and remote control, rapid setup and Dante integration topped the wish list,” recalls Managing Director, Rob Clark. “AHM-64 ticks all the boxes, and being built around a 96kHz FPGA engine, it delivers exceptional audio quality and low latency.”

AHM-64 has 12 local inputs and 12 outputs, plus an SLink expansion port allowing plug ‘n play connection to up to 8 remote expanders from Allen & Heath’s Everything I/O family. An I/O port enables a 96kHz, 64x64 Dante option card to be added for connection to equipment on a Dante network, including the wall-mount DT164-W and portable DT168 Dante expanders.

An extensive range of ready-made remote-control options supports AHM-64, including an array of PoE remote controllers and the BYOD-friendly Custom Control app, enabling tailored user interfaces for multiple user and device types.

Intuitive AHM System Manager software and AHM-64’s flexible architecture allow rapid configuration, as Head of Product, Nic Beretta explains, “AHM-64 strikes a balance between the simplicity and set latency of fixed architecture, and the flexibility normally reserved for open architecture platforms, allowing it to handle sound management, paging, audio distribution, conferencing and speaker processing roles. Integrators can maximise their revenues by creating the ideal system more quickly – you don’t need certified training to get great results with AHM-64.”

For more information or to schedule a demo call 815-271-3000 or email sales@audiobiz.com

Now Available: Liberty AV Adapter Ring 2.0

Updated design brings together the best of both worlds - the classic ring and new line

FLEXIBLE TETHERING

Line or Ring? It's your choice.
Designed to tuck easily away in table top enclosures.

CXPoint
Each Adapter Ring 2.0 is shipped with a scannable Teleportivity tag providing valuable product information.

EASILY CONFIGURABLE
New design of the clamp means there is no need to completely disassemble the clamp to replace or add adapters.

EASIER TO ORDER
Our best-selling configurations are now available in three individual model numbers.

Ring or Line: Easy Assembly

Whether adding more adapters, or setting the Adapter Ring in a ring or line format, assembly is easier than ever.

Requiring one tool, connecting and disconnecting is simple and easy. New design also includes stronger aluminum clamp with threaded screw holes, eliminating the previous need for nuts.

For more information or to place an order call 815-271-3000 or email sales@audiobiz.com