Audio Technica 3000 Series Wireless Microphone Systems
"What does Audio Technica need to do for you to buy more of our wireless systems?"
That's the question that the Audio-Technica sales reps have been asking us for the past 2-3 years.
As long as we've been in business, we've made no secret that Audio-Technica products offer tremendous value, but over the past few years, parts of its wireless microphone product line wasn't updated as quickly as we would have liked. Our primary request has been for A-T to update the 3000 series systems with something more comparable to other manufacturers in terms of features. Just this summer, the 3000 series received a significant update that might cause you to forget about the more expensive 4000 series (now discontinued) and other similarly priced systems from other manufacturers.
In light of the FCC-mandated reduction to the radio spectrum in which wireless microphone systems are allowed to operate, the addition of Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices and a general increase to wireless connected-ness, the ability of wireless microphone systems to operate using less of the available radio waves, and to allow more systems to operate simultaneously has become critical, especially in larger installations. The 4th Generation 3000 Series is the lowest-price system that we know of that allows up to 40 systems to work together.
Read more: Audio Technica 3000 Series Wireless Microphone Systems
Good things must come to an end -- Shure 600 MHz rebates
Due to changes at the FCC, operation of wireless microphone systems in the 600 MHz range (frequency ranges 616–653 MHz and 663–698 MHz) will become illegal by July 2020, and in many areas use of the 600 MHz systems will become impractical due to interference, as soon as 4th quarter 2018.
Since April 2017, Shure has been offering generous rebates to help you make the conversion from your existing 600 MHz systems to Shure brand wireless systems, but as October 31, 2018, that rebate program will be ending. More information on rebate amounts, deadlines, qualifications click here.
The big question on everyone's minds is whether the rebates will continue or be extended. The answer is that we have no way of knowing. There has not been even the slightest hint from Shure, and we have asked.
If we had to guess, some form of 600 MHz rebate will continue, but do you want to take that chance? The current rebate is $500 per channel for ULXD and $250 for QLXD, both of which are more generous than other manufacturers.
If you're gambling on the continuation, we'll both know an answer on or around November 1. In the meantime, if you need new Shure wireless systems, there has never been a better time than the present.
Presonus StudioLive Power-Up Trade-in Program
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Level up from a StudioLive Classic or AI mixer and experience StudioLive Series III technology.
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To participate in the Power-Up Program, visit presonus.com/StudioLive-Power-up-Trade-in-Program. And click here for more info about the Presonus StudioLive Series III range of products.
Don’t delay—this offer ends December 31, 2018.
How far will this antenna reach?
Since before 2010 and the first round of major changes to the radio spectrum landscape, we've shared lots of words about radio frequency issues. And with continued proliferation of wireless devices, increased use of LED lamps, LED production lighting fixtures, and LED video displays, along with connected-ness of your refrigerator to grocer's ordering systems, and Microsoft's rural broadband initiatives, these are among the most important issues facing users of audio and video equipment today and into the future. And we think that understanding what lies ahead is fun, in a geeky sort of way.
Our guest columnist Don Boomer is an Applications Engineer at RF Venue. He has worked in Research & Development for Peavey, Sabine and Line 6 over the past 30+ years, and his rock band from his high school days has a song in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
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by Don Boomer, RF Venue
It’s baseball season again and boy does that make me happy. What does that have to do with antennas? Well...
I am often asked, “How far will this or that antenna reach”? An important question for sure, but that’s the wrong way to think about it. Generally speaking, antennas don’t “reach” out but rather they “catch” what you throw at them (sorry, still thinking about baseball).
Yes, there are directional antennas such as our Diversity Fin and CP Beam that have gain in one direction and rejection in another, which is usually a good thing, but that’s a different topic. Directional antennas will “listen” better for your transmitters than those with little or no gain. But they are still just catching what you throw at them. So an antenna’s range is a combination of how strong your transmitter’s signal is and how you are being affected by multipath reflections and the strength of your noise floor. The primary deciding factor is your CNR (carrier to noise ratio).
If we were to go stand in a cornfield in Iowa (if you build it, they will come) you would very likely find that the range of your wireless mic, that has a manufacturer’s rating of 300 feet, might well do a 1/4 mile. That would be because there would be little interference (until Microsoft turns on its new Rural Broadband Plan in the 500 MHz range) and almost zero multipath. There’s just no GMO corn that reflects RF (yet). It probably also goes without saying that higher quality systems (with tighter front ends) especially digital ones, will perform better than those sub $300 systems I still see clinging for dear life.
So how about active antennas with built-in amplifiers? Won’t that stronger signal result in more “reach”? Crank it up to 11? Sorry to disappoint but in fact it may perform worse. The boosters on those amplifiers were only intended to make up for losses in long coax runs and should only be used IF other factors can’t supply enough signal to keep you on the air.
What’s wrong with active antennas you ask? Well number one, they are active and no amplifier is perfect.
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Dave, Things look and sound very well! Thank you!
Rev. Paul St. Germain, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
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