Axient – the brand new zero-failure Wireless Microphone System.

Last week’s NAMM show in Anaheim, USA, saw Shure introduce some exciting new products. It also saw the preview of the brand new flagship Wireless Mircrophone System, Axient.

Axient wireless sets a new standard in term of audio and RF performance. It is also the first wireless microphone system that can detect and avoid interference by changing frequencies on the fly – without being noticed by the user.

“Uncertainty and volatility in the RF spectrum are the new reality for professional wireless users.” said Sandy LaMantia, President and CEO of Shure Incorporated. “They face increasing pressure to deliver interference-free performance in the most critical live broadcast, theatre, music and corporate events, even though conditions are more unpredictable than ever before. Shure Axient wireless was designed from the outset to withstand interference from the analogue and digital sources that exist today and will exist in the future.”

Axient sets a new level for audio and RF standards. It offers the most linear RF transmitter/receiver performance of any system to date, meaning it can fit more frequencies in one TV channel than any other system. Axient also offers the best quality audio for the most demanding performances and applications.

While not just a great radio mic system, it also boasts a number of very innovative features:

The Axient Spectrum Manager constantly scans the RF environment and performs frequency compatibility calculations to assign the best clear frequencies to each wireless transmitter. It permanently monitors, ranks and deploys backup frequencies.

Interference Detection and Avoidance is a receiver mode that informs you if interference is detected. When encountered, the Axient Spectrum Manager will then deploy the best available frequency to the troubled receiver. The transmitter will also be updated with this clean frequency via the two-way ShowLink connection. This does not require a transmitter sync, and will change at exactly the same time as the receiver.   The user will not notice it happening. Interference avoided.

Frequency Diversity takes this to a new level, and is perfect for the channel of wireless that MUST NOT FAIL. Axient handheld transmitters can transmit on two frequencies simultaneously. In this mode, a dual receiver will receive the same one audio signal on both channels, each receiving on a separate frequency. The receiver always chooses the best signal, and seamlessly switches the output accordingly. (Two bodypacks can also be used together to use this mode).

If you combine Frequency Diversity with Interference Detection and Avoidance, you have one solid system that cannot go wrong.

Axient also integrates perfectly with the New Wireless Workbench 6 software allowing full user control of Axient and other Shure networked wireless systems – UHF-R and PSM 1000.

Axient runs on touring-grade rechargeable batteries and the charging station delivers real-time information about power levels and charge history for all power platform devices.

For more information, check out Axient’s web page.

Axient will available from summer 2011.

Shure has still got The X Factor

Whatever your opinion is of The X Factor, it is still the most watched program on UK Television and last weekends final is reported to have  pulled in over 21 million viewers on Saturday and 17 million on Sunday.   Matt Cardle was eventually crowned the winner and at the end of his winning song, threw his Shure UR2/BETA87 wireless microphone on the ground in excitement when he was mobbed by the other contestants.  Obviously, because of Shure’s durability it worked perfectly when he picked it up again, only for him to then accidently smack it in Dannii Minogues face. It’s still working!!

Shure has always been the choice for all the contestants on The X Factor, and this year was no exception.  The UR2/BETA87, part of the flagship UHF-R series was the mic used by everyone, and we even got to see the very limited addition SUPER 55-BCR vintage style mic which was used by Mary and Rebecca on occasions over the past 10 weeks.  There are only 100 of the SUPER 55-BCR for sale in the uk and is very distinctive with it’s striking black and red design.

Shure wireless PGX systems & Oli Brown

If you haven’t already heard the name Oli Brown, it is suffice to say he is one of  the hottest young blues players in the world right now. At the British Blues Awards 2010 he won best vocalist and also best male artist of the year – and did we mention he is only 21!

As an avid user of  Shure products (with a great voice to boot!)  we thought he would be the ideal man to come here and record some sound clips using all 4  mic heads available on our PGX systems – including PG58, SM58, Beta 58A, and for the first time, the Beta 87

Listen to the differences in the mics for yourselves here

…and to see all of the Shure wireless vocal microphone offerings  go to our website

Radio Mic Switchover 2012. Will your radio mic work after 2012?

The current state of wireless radio spectrum in the UK is changing, and will affect most users of wireless microphone and in-ear monitoring systems. If you’re unfamiliar with this, it’s probably a pretty daunting and confusing topic to approach.

Here at Shure, Applications Manager Tuomo Tolonen is the guru on this subject. Watch his video, for a clear and unbiased explanation of the situation.

More details on how the 2012 Digital Switch Over will affect you can be found on our website.  Alternatively, you can speak to myself or Tuomo by calling our Channel 38 helpline on 01992 703 038.