At the 2017 NAB Show in Las Vegas, Shure has debuted its Axient digital wireless system.
Axient Digital builds on the benefits of the company’s UHF-R, ULX-D, and Axient wireless systems to create a wireless platform suited for all professional productions and situations.
Axient digital features a receiver that is compatible with its two transmitter offerings, the AD Series and ADX Series. Axient digital with AD Series transmitters delivers a level of core product benefits, including RF performance, digital audio, and networking. Axient Digital ADX Series transmitters incorporate ShowLink, which provides real-time control of all transmitter parameters with interference detection and avoidance. The ADX Series also includes a micro-bodypack with an integrated self-tuning antenna, enabling greater concealment and comfort.
“For years, Shure has been at the forefront of the ongoing spectrum conversation, working alongside professional wireless users to deliver first-class solutions that support seamless, interference-free productions,” says Nick Wood, category director for Wireless Products at Shure. “Given the increasing challenges of RF spectrum, it’s more essential than ever that users have access to a system that can deliver the critical audio inputs of a production reliably over the air.”
Incorporating all of the capabilities that professional productions demand, Axient digital is designed for signal stability. It features true digital diversity with Quadversity receiver technology, mitigating the potential for signal fades or interference that can cause dropouts.
Quadversity mode allows users to place sets of diversity antennas in different zones, or double the number of antennas in a single zone, to improve RF signal-to-noise in challenging environments. High density mode increases the maximum simultaneous system channel count from 17 to 47 per 6-MHz TV band (from 23 to 63 per 8-MHz TV band), while maintaining audio quality.
Featuring digital audio via Dante and AES3, Axient digital has a 20Hz to 20 kHz range with a flat frequency response and accurate transient response. Axient digital also boasts wide dynamic range, AES-256 encryption, and a 2ms latency from the mic transducer to the analog output.
Axient Digital is compatible with Wireless Workbench as well as the ShurePlus channels app for efficient control and configuration, spectrum management and frequency monitoring. The system’s Dante cue and Dante browse features enable high fidelity headphone monitoring of audio output from any Dante-enabled connected device. Additionally, Axient digital provides networked charging via a suite of smart batteries and chargers.
Axient Digital’s wide tuning range of up to 184 MHz for all transmitters and receivers covers an extended range of spectrum and simplifies inventory. Dual and quad receiver options, combined with a common receiver platform supporting AD and ADX transmitters maximize user flexibility and scalability.
Axient digital is compatible with the Shure Battery Rack Charger (SBRC), which supports up to eight rechargeable batteries in a single, compact rack space. Providing a tour-ready battery charging and storage solution, the SBRC features an easy-to-read front panel that displays critical battery parameters, including charge status, time-to-full, and battery health indicators. When connected to a network, Shure Wireless Workbench and ShurePlus Channels software provide remote monitoring of the SBRC to track battery status.
“Axient Digital has been designed from the ground up to overcome the challenges users encounter in a wide variety of applications—including pro touring, theater production and television broadcasting,” says Michael Johns, product manager at Shure.
“Including unique designs such as a frequency diversity handheld microphone (ADX2FD), and a unique micro-bodypack with a self-tuning internal antenna (ADX1M), Axient digital will allow both engineers and talent alike to confidently rely on pristine digital audio in the midst of even the most challenging of environments.”
The AD Series will be available in late summer 2017, and the ADX Series will be available in early 2018.
For complete details on Axient digital, visit the Shure booth (Central Hall #C2218) at the 2017 NAB Show.
