Sennheiser’s Digital 9000 digital wireless system addresses broadcast, theatre and live event applications.
The SKM 9000 uses an 88MHz 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. Digital 9000 includes the EM 9046 receiver, SKM 9000 handheld and SK 9000 bodypack transmitters, plus a suite of accessories.
‘This system is offers unprecedented sound quality and ease of use,’ says, Wireless Microphones Portfolio Manager, Kevin Jungk. ‘For example, users will no longer have to calculate and circumvent intermodulation frequencies but can conveniently place their transmission frequencies in an equidistant grid.’
The system supports two transmission modes –High Definition (HD) mode will transmit entirely uncompressed, artefact-free audio, ‘as if a high-quality cabled microphone were used’, while Long Range (LR) mode is designed for difficult transmission environments, offering maximum range with a proprietary Sennheiser digital audio codec.
In addition to IR synchronisation between receivers and transmitters and a antenna loop-through for creating larger receiving systems, Digital 9000 claims a number of unique features. The high linearity of the entire system eliminates intermodulation calculation, allowing transmission frequencies can simply be set in an equally spaced grid. The receiver also automatically measures RF cable loss between receiver and booster, and adjusts the gain accordingly.
The modular EM 9046 receiver is a mainframe that accommodates up to eight receivers internally.
EM 9046 Receiver
A large display with clearly laid out controls is at the heart of the EM 9046 receiver. Three display modes ensure that the RF or sound engineer has an overview of important parameters in live situations and can change settings quickly via an intuitive, icon-based menu. Channels can be monitored via the headphone output, either individually or any number can be listened to combined.
The receiver system covers the UHF range from 470 to 798 MHz (328MHz bandwidth). To integrate the system into an existing infrastructure, users choose between transformer-balanced analogue or digital AES3 audio output modules, or a mix of both.
System set-up is facilitated by a built-in graphical spectrum analyser to scan the RF landscape, and an RF level recorder for checking reception and optimising 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 antenna boosters can be controlled via the receiver, which is helpful for installations with remote antenna positions.
The multi-channel receiver and the transmitters can optionally use encrypted data transmission, with proprietary keys generated randomly. This will protect a radio link against hijacking and tapping.
The receiver stores up to ten complete system configurations so that set-ups can easily be recalled and repeated.
SKM 9000 Handheld Transmitter
The SKM 9000 handheld transmitter is compatible with all of Sennheiser’s evolution wireless G3 and 2000 Series microphone heads, including the Neumann KK 204 and KK 205 capsules. 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 MD 9235 is part of our new digital system,’ Jungk says.
The MD 9235 is complemented by the transparency of three permanently polarised condenser mic heads, the ME 9002 (omni), ME 9004 (cardioid) and ME 9005 (super-cardioid). The condenser heads feature a low sensitivity to pops and have extremely low handling noise due to snowflake-shaped rubber suspensions above and below the actual capsules.
SK 9000 Bodypack Transmitter
The SK 9000 bodypack transmitter comes in a magnesium housing that combines robustness with low weight. It 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 instrument sound,’ explains Jungk.
The SK 9000 is available in four different frequency ranges (88 MHz switching bandwidth); a command switch for communication between crews and artists/reporters is available as an accessory. To protect the system against interference, the AB 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 before the first active component, adding to the overall reliability of the system. The filter can be set manually on the booster or remotely via the antenna cable on the receiver.
The AB 9000 provides a maximum gain of 17dB and is available as a standalone booster or integrated into the A 9000 omnidirectional antenna and the AD 9000 directional antenna. Two booster versions (470-638MHz and 630-798MHz) cover the receiver’s UHF range.
The transmitters of the 9000 Series operate on environmentally friendly lithium-ion rechargeable battery packs, with a precise remaining operating time indicated on the handheld and the bodypack transmitter as well as on the receiver. The SKM 9000 is powered via the BA 60 rechargeable battery pack, which will power the transmitter for 5.5 hours. The SK 9000 bodypack is powered by the BA 61, which lasts for 6.5 hours. Operation on standard batteries is possible too.
The L 60 charger will recharge two BA 60 or BA 61 in any combination. It reaches 70 per cent 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 is a scarce resource, therefore every part of the system has been designed for the highest frequency efficiency,’ Jungk says. ‘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.
More: www.sennheiser.co.uk
