Last week at IBC in Amsterdam, audio specialist
unveiled Digital 9000, a digital wireless system that can transmit completely uncompressed audio, artifact-free and with superb dynamics. Targeting broadcasting professionals, (musical) theatres and high-profile live audio events, Digital 9000 sets a new benchmark in digital wireless transmission. The system, which includes the EMA 9046 receiver, SKMA 9000 handheld and SKA 9000 bodypack transmitters, and a comprehensive suite of accessories, has been meticulously designed for the highest channel counts in today’s increasingly dense frequency environment.
“This system is a masterpiece, both in the digital and in the wireless realm,” said Kevin Jungk, portfolio manager for wireless microphones at Sennheiser. “It offers unprecedented sound quality and ease of use. For example, users will no longer have to calculate and circumvent intermodulation frequencies but can conveniently place their transmission frequencies in an equidistant grid.”
Ideal for the most diverse environments
The groundbreaking digital wireless system is fitted with two transmission modes to suit any need and environment. The High Definition (HD) mode will transmit entirely uncompressed, artifact-free audio, rivaling a high-quality cabled microphone. The Long Range (LR) mode has been designed for difficult transmission environments with many sources of interference. It ensures maximum range with a proprietary Sennheiser digital audio codec. “This refined codec ensures an audio quality that is superior to that of an FM system,” explained Kevin Jungk. “These two modes make Digital 9000 the most versatile digital wireless system available, and the best adapted to on-site requirements.”
Built-in ease of use
In addition to IR synchronization between receivers and transmitters and a convenient antenna loop-through for creating larger receiving systems, Digital 9000 offers a number of groundbreaking features. First and foremost, the system does not generate any intermodulation products – the high linearity of the entire system, from transmitters to antennas and receivers, and a special transmitter design make laborious intermodulation calculation a thing of the past. Transmission frequencies can now be evenly spaced without generating intermodulation, maximizing channel count in congested RF environments.
The receiver also automatically measures the RF cable loss between the receiver and the booster and adjusts the gain accordingly. “This makes the RF wireless system easier to operate for users with less RF knowledge” said Kevin Jungk.
Optimum control – more information on the receiver
A large display with clearly laid out controls is at the heart of the EMA 9046 receiver. Three display modes ensure that the RF or sound engineer has an optimum overview of important parameters in live situations and can change settings quickly via an intuitive, icon-based menu. One or more channels can be monitored at a time via the headphone output.
The modular EMA 9046 receiver is a mainframe that accommodates up to eight receivers internally. The receiver system covers the UHF range from 470 to 798A MHz (328A MHz bandAwidth). To easily integrate the system into an existing infrastructure, the user can choose between transformer-balanced analog or digital AES3 audio output modules, or a mix of both.
System set-up is facilitated by a built-in graphical spectrum analyzer to scan the RF landscape, and an RF level recorder for checking reception and optimizing antenna positions. The receiver will also suggest the best transmission mode for the environment being worked in, and will automatically set an appropriate gain to counteract RF cable losses. The system’s antenna boosters can be controlled via the receiver, which is helpful for installations with remote antenna positions.
Digital 9000 also offers encrypted data transmission, with proprietary keys generated randomly. With encryption engaged, transmission of sensitive information can be protected against hijacking and tapping.
The receiver stores up to ten complete system configurations so that set-ups can easily be recalled and repeated.
Powerful sound – more information on the handheld
The SKMA 9000 handheld transmitter is compatible with all evolution wireless G3 and 2000 Series microphone heads, including the Neumann capsules KKA 204 and KKA 205. This means that an artist’s favorite sound can easily be transferred to the new system. Besides these capsules, the handheld can be fitted with four dedicated 9000 Series capsules.
“The 9000 Series would not have been complete without the sound of our most successful live capsule, and I am happy that the cardioid dynamic MDA 9235 is part of our new digital system,” said Kevin Jungk. The rock ’n’ roll sound of the MDA 9235 is complemented by the transparency of three permanently polarised condenser mic heads, the MEA 9002 (omni), MEA 9004 (cardioid) and MEA 9005 (super-cardioid). The condenser heads feature a low susceptibility to pops and have extremely low handling noise due to snowflake-shaped rubber suspensions above and below the actual capsules.
The rugged SKMA 9000 comes with an 88A MHz switching bandwidth, and is available in black and nickel. Command switch versions for easy communication between broadcast units or artists and their crews are also available. As the handheld transmits digitally, it does not employ a compander and is exempt from the associated noise, ensuring a cable-like purity of sound.
Versatile and lightweight – more information on the bodypack
The SKA 9000 bodypack transmitter is easy to hide and easy to attach; it comes in a magnesium housing that combines maximum robustness with low weight. The transmitter can be used with any clip-on or headset mic with a 3-pin Lemo connector and has a line input for guitars or other instruments. “As the system is able to deliver cable-like audio, we have added a three-step guitar cable emulation – to round off the perfect instrument sound,” explained Kevin Jungk.
The SKA 9000 is available in four different frequency ranges (88A MHz switching bandwidth); a command switch for communication between crews and artists/reporters is available as an accessory.
Selective and reliable – more information on boosters and antennas
To protect DigitalA 9000 against unwanted frequencies and interference, the ABA 9000 antenna booster has been fitted with eight highly selective filters to allow just a specific frequency window to pass. Unwanted signals are thus blocked out before the first active component, adding to the overall excellent reliability of the system. The filter can be set manually on the booster or remotely via the antenna cable on the receiver.
The ABA 9000 provides a maximum gain of 17A dB and is available as a stand-alone booster or integrated into the AA 9000 omni-directional antenna and the ADA 9000 directional antenna. Two booster versions (470 to 638A MHz and 630 to 798A MHz) cover the receiver’s UHF range.
Power supply – more information on batteries and chargers
The transmitters of the 9000 Series operate on environmentally friendly lithium-ion rechargeable battery packs, with a precise remaining operating time indicated on both the transmitter and the receiver. The SKMA 9000 is powered via the BAA 60 rechargeable battery pack, which will provide 5.5 hours of operating time. The SKA 9000 bodypack is powered by the BAA 61, which lasts for 6.5 hours. Operation on standard batteries is possible too.
The LA 60 charger will recharge two BAA 60 or BAA 61 in any combination. It reaches 70% of charge in an hour and full charge after three hours, with the charging status being indicated by three-colour LEDs. Up to four chargers can be daisy-chained and powered via a single power supply unit.
Spectrum-efficient wireless
“Summing up, Digital 9000 is a meticulously designed wireless tool,” said Kevin Jungk. “Spectrum is a scarce resource, therefore every part of the system has been designed for the highest frequency efficiency. We have put much effort into allocating the largest possible data rate to the actual sound transmission, ensuring the unmatched audio performance of Digital 9000. Because audio is what it’s all about.”
