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Friday, August 07, 2009

Recent Wireless Technology Series: Shure UHF-R Series

This is the latest installment in a series detailing the latest technology in wireless microphone systems. Click to read the other installments: AKG DMS 700; MIPRO ACT Digital; Lectrosonics D4; and Sennheiser 2000 Series.

The Shure UHF-R currently reigns as the most widely rented and specified wireless microphone system.

It’s been on the market for four years and has garnered legions of fans.

Let’s look at some of the features and technical specifications that make the UHF-R system tick.

Components
Receiver options include the single-channel UR4S and the dual-channel UR4D. Most often seen, of course, is the dual-channel variant.

Three transmitters are available, including the UR1 standard bodypack, UR1M micro bodypack and UR2 handheld.

The bodypack units are connected to lavaliere and headworn microphones via a TA4, and in the case of the smaller UR1M, a 3-pin Lemo can be ordered as an option.

The handheld transmitter can be outfitted with a wide variety of Shure mic capsules, ranging from the SM58 to the SM86 to the high-end KSM9.

This is indeed arguably one of the stronger aspects of this series – the direct compatibility with Shure’s industry-standard range of capsules.

The handheld transmitter is available in standard black finish as well as the more “sexy” satin nickel. In the past few years, the old rule that “microphones must be black” (otherwise they might reflect light into TV cameras and/or be noticed by the audience) has abated, so this additional finish option fits right in with the current preference of options. 

Technical
The UHF-R system employs Shure’s proprietary and patented Audio Reference Compander system.

Audio companding is a “necessary evil” in any analog wireless system, because otherwise there’s not enough dynamic range available in the link to provide an appropriate full-range musical signal.

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The Shure approach is very well regarded by engineers and artists alike for its natural sound quality. Dynamic range is specified as >105 dB, A-weighted, which is quite good - better than CD, in fact. Most high-quality wireless systems today have a similar specification for dynamic range.

Overall frequency response of the system is listed as 40 Hz -18 kHz +1, -3 dB. That’s a good specification and compares well to other high-quality analog systems.

In contrast, digital and digital hybrid systems extend a bit lower and a bit higher, with overall flatter response.

Nonetheless, the audio range of the UHF-R is more than enough to satisfy the demands of touring and installed sound markets, as evidenced by the high level of acceptance.

Transmitters in the UHF-R line allow for two different RF power settings, which I mentioned in an earlier post is something we’re seeing more.

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For the U.S. market, the UR1 bodypack transmitter can be switched between 10 mW and 100 mW.  The UR1M microbodypack and the UR2 handheld can be switched between 10 mW and 50 mW. 

For Europe, the handhelds and bodypacks all offer selectivity between 10 mW and 50 mW, to satisfy different regulations. The basic idea behind switchable power is that the user can choose between “low battery consumption” and “long range”.

The different in range between 10 mW and 100 mW (a 10 dB difference in power) is about 50 to 60 percent, which can be significant depending on the application.

And, of course, with all questions of range there are a vast number of external factors involved as well. I plan to get into this topic in more detail in a separate post – stay tuned.

The frequency ranges offered in the UHF-R package cover the entire available spectrum.

The G1 range covers the very low end of the available UHF spectrum, from 470 MHz - 530 MHz, followed by the H4 range from 518 MHz - 578 MHz.

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Note that these two ranges overlap a bit - a nice feature in some cases, but users should be aware that it is possible to have a transmitter at the top end of G1 step on one at the bottom of H4.

The J5 covers 578 MHz - 638 MHz and the L3 range covers 638 MHz - 698 MHz (the top of the current legal UHF range for wireless microphones in the U.S.). The system is also available in bands for Europe, Japan and Korea, among others.

Note that each of the U.S. ranges covers a fairly wide 60 MHz and provides nearly 2,400 frequencies in 25 kHz steps. The frequency ranges for Europe tune as wide as 75 MHz.

Networking
The UHF-R system was among the first to include complete networking capability, which greatly enhances the ability to quickly coordinate all frequencies and implement them throughout the receivers and transmitters.

Other companies have followed suit: Sennheiser with the Net1 system, and more recently, the 2000 Series; AKG with the DMS700, and Audio Technica.

Most, if not all, professional wireless systems will have these features within a few more years, but Shure was very wise to take such a comprehensive approach early.

Pricing
The UR4D receiver typically sells for about $2,800, while the standard beltpack transmitters are about $800 and handheld transmitters range from about $900 to about $1,800, depending on the capsule chosen.

These prices compare directly to the Sennheiser 2000 Series (see previous post) and thus are in the “upper middle” range. The Sennheiser 3000 and 5000 Series systems are considerably more expensive, while the Lectrosonics 400 Series and AKG 700 are somewhat less expensive.

Conclusion
It is obvious that the UHF-R system from Shure is well thought-out, with an excellent set of features and with a high level of quality that satisfies professional customers in many markets.

Shure did its homework when designing this system and it has paid off, and most certainly will continue to do so.

Find out more about the Shure UHF-R Series here.

Signing off for now…
Mike Wireless

Mike Wireless is the nom de plume of a long-time RF geek devoted to better entertainment wireless system practices the world over.

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More posts by Mike Wireless:
The Myths of Wireless System Transmitter Power
Latest Wireless Series #4: Inside the Sennheiser 2000 Series
The RF Spectrum Before & After The “Big Day”
Latest Wireless Series #3: Inside The Lectrosonics D4
Latest Wireless Series #2: Inside The MIPRO ACT Digital
Latest Wireless Series #1: Inside The AKG DMS 700
Is The UHF Spectrum Going To Ease Up After June 12?
Change The Only Constant In Marketplace For Wireless System Spectrum

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