Shure Incorporated has unveiled Microflex Advance, a portfolio of networked ceiling and table array microphones, audio interfaces, and control software for enhanced A/V conferencing that integrate within a meeting space aesthetic.
With the ability to flush-mount the Microflex Advance Ceiling Array microphone alongside standard ceiling tiles, combined with the new “toroid” polar pattern in the Microflex Advance Table Array microphone, the series offers technologies for enhanced speech intelligibility and overall audio performance.
Microflex Advance also presents an enhanced evolution the company’s IntelliMix digital signal processing suite, including proprietary Steerable Coverage technology, enabling highly accurate control of audio capture in any location of a meeting space. And, Microflex Advance Array Microphones use the Dante audio networking protocol, with all control, audio, and power signals carried through a single standard Ethernet cable connection.
“Microflex Advance is unique because it combines the deep roots of expertise Shure has demonstrated in both the acoustic and digital signal processing domains,” states Rob Klegon, associate manager, Global Product Management at Shure. “However, in building this system we knew we had to go beyond pure technical innovation to meet the needs of today’s corporate environments. As a result, each feature of Microflex Advance is engineered to provide best-in-class performance, from the acoustics and digital signal processing, to the usability and aesthetic design.”
The Microflex Advance Ceiling Array microphone is designed to capture audio from above the meeting space with proprietary Steerable Coverage technology, enabling up to eight lobes that are configurable in three dimensions. It can be flush-mounted in any standard ceiling tile grid, and can also be installed below the ceiling with standard VESA-D and wire hanging mounts.
The Microflex Advance Table Array microphone provides flexibility in varying A/V conferencing environments. Within the onboard IntelliMix DSP Suite, the Steerable Coverage technology deploys up to four discrete audio channels around a table and uses an new “toroid” ring-shaped pattern to reject unwanted artifacts from overhead such as HVAC or projector fans. Programmable capacitive-touch mute switches ensure simple user operation with the ability to customize LED color and shape to indicate microphone status.
Offering efficient analog to digital/digital to analog conversion, the four Shure Audio Network Interfaces provide routing in and out of the Dante networked audio domain. They’re available in standard XLR (mic/line) and block (mic/line) connector versions that include LED and mute switch pins for logic-enabled analog microphones. All Audio Network Interfaces include a single Ethernet port for Dante audio routing and a browser-based software for control of connectivity and monitoring.
All Microflex Advance hardware includes built-in control software, providing an intuitive interface to simplify the process of adjusting microphone attributes, such as configuration of presets, templates, and polar patterns. Microflex Advance products are also designed to integrate easily with third-party controllers such as Crestron and AMX.
The Microflex Advance portfolio will be available later this year.