Targeting broadcast of live sports events, wireless microphone developer Q5X and Shure have jointly developed the Axient Digital-Enabled Q5X Wireless Transmitters, combining the latest wireless digital technology with RF stability, encryption and spectral efficiency.
‘With the combination of Q5X and Shure, this is really the best of both worlds,’ said Jens Rothenburger, Director of Pro Audio Marketing at Shure. ‘The new Axient Digital-Enabled Q5X Wireless Transmitters provide sound engineers and the sports industry with a complete solution in a superior, already-established form factor.’
For more than a decade, Q5X has worked closely with professional US sports leagues (NBA, NHL, NFL, MLB, MLS and CFL) and major sports networks on wireless bodypack transmitters specifically to meet the rigorous demands of athletes without impeding athletic performance. Q5X has established well-proven form factors ideal for players, coaches, and officials at all sporting levels in different sports. And now, three form factor models feature the latest Axient Digital technology, including the CoachMic, PlayerMic and AquaMic, which is designed for wet environments such as outdoor functions or water sports.
For its part, Shure equipment has been used at Super Bowl, NBA Finals, the Olympic games, NHL finals, World Cup soccer and MLB World Series telecasts with its portfolio of microphones, transmitters, and receivers.
Developed to directly address ongoing technical challenges plaguing major sports organisations, the Axient Digital-Enabled Q5X Wireless Transmitters promise ‘outstanding signal quality in even the most complex venues and congested RF environments’.
‘Q5X prides itself on developing transmitters to solve difficult wireless audio problems for our customers,’ says Q5X CEO, Paul Johnson. ‘Now, we have a proven digital technology that can be placed in literally any form factor.’
The new CoachMic combines the functionality of a large, easy-to-use rocker-style mute switch with the security of digital encryption. This new form factor securely and unobtrusively captures the coach’s audio for post-production, while giving the coach the opportunity to confidently mute the mic for game strategy or other sensitive discussions.
Originally developed for the NBA, the PlayerMic is the only flexible bodypack transmitter that is deemed by the NBA to be the safest solution to be worn by the players. PlayerMic’s unique thin, bendable, rubber design protects players from injury if they fall on it or take a direct hit and is extraordinarily concealable. This version of the Q5X PlayerMic bodypack transmitter has been co-developed with Shure to be compatible with Axient Digital wireless receivers for best-in-class digital wireless transmission.
When a waterproof solution is required, the AquaMic is designed to capture crystal-clear audio in demanding environments such as water sports or buried in the outdoor playing field when players can’t wear them. The AquaMic is fully submersible, so it is ideal for challenging environmental situations like those in reality television, film, and sports broadcasting. Rechargeable batteries provide 4-16 hours of life.
The MicCommander enables users to control all aspects of the bodypack transmitters remotely, including set up and monitoring: on/off, frequency, mic offset, RF power, groups, and battery level. The handheld remote control and transmitters take advantage of the RCAS (Remote Control Audio System) communication scheme for simple and complex adjustments, making MicCommander a required purchase for Q5X transmitter operation.
The Axient Digital-Enabled Q5X Wireless Transmitters will be available this summer 2020.
