Sabine and DTV Wireless Microhone Problems

SABINE's 2.4 GHz wireless solves UHF white space and DTV problems - today!

As the RF spectrum space available for UHF mics continues to decrease, Sabine is offering what may be the only alternative to this crisis: wireless mics that use the 2.4 GHz frequency band instead of UHF and VHF.

"The trade magazines are full of articles about the imminent demise of the UHF band for wireless microphones," says Sabine's Marketing Director Rob Rothschild. "We offer the solution, and we have it right now. The low-power 2.4 GHz band allows our customers to enjoy the benefits of wireless without worrying about interference from DTV or other potential broadcasters that the FCC is getting ready to allow in the UHF band. This is a wireless system with a future."

The so called "White Spaces" - the areas of the RF spectrum between the TV channels - are set to be auctioned off over the next year and this may leave little room for all the wireless microphones currently tuned to these frequencies. Large companies like Google, Microsoft, Intel, and Cisco are clamoring for this valuable part of the RF spectrum.

Lobbyists from the performance audio and broadcast industries are currently pushing for a specific allocation for wireless mics, and if they are successful some of the current crop of wireless mics may continue to work properly. Users who are looking for a solution now, especially those in need of a large number of simultaneous channels, may need to turn to another part of the spectrum, and Sabine is the only full-line of wireless mics available in the 2.4 GHz band.

Sabine began working on this issue five years ago, and their 2.4 GHz microphones are now in use worldwide in all kinds of venues, from schools and universities to concert tours and houses of worship. Recently Sabine Wireless mics were used at an outdoor performance of the opera "Carmen" in Spain where a total of 60 simultaneous systems were in use.

Sabine's SWM7000 Series incorporates their patent-pending Smart Spectrum technology - a breakthrough in RF technology that allows up to 70 simultaneous wireless systems to operate with maximum fidelity. And these same 70 channels are globally accepted so the same systems can work anywhere in the world.

Smart Spectrum Wireless features long-life rechargeable NiMH batteries and each transmitter has a built-in charger jack. The convenient handheld microphone clip doubles as a charger stand - whenever a handheld mic is in the clip, the battery is recharging.

SWM7000 receivers are available in one- and two-receiver-channel models and come with Sabine's built-in Targeted Input Processing that includes the FBX Feedback Exterminator, a compressor/limiter, an adaptive de-esser and parametric filters.

In addition the on-board digital signal processing for the 2.4 GHz systems includes Sabine's Mic SuperModeling. A touch of the front panel dial brings up a choice of several well-known dynamic or condenser mic elements. Sabine's standard capsule on the SWM7000 series is an Audix OM-3, with the Audix OM-5 and a Voice Technologies condenser capsule available as options.

In addition to the added processing, the SWM7000 series allows users to save and recall up to 10 presets per channel on the receiver. All front panel information is saved in each preset, so custom settings can be retrieved for fast setups, or even on-the-fly changes during the program.

All SWM7000 systems come with very powerful remote control software. SWM7000-ND Series receivers include both analog and digital audio outputs and allow for networking of up to 70 channels using a single computer.

Series 7000 systems are available with handheld, lavalier, or headworn microphones. Switchcraft TA4F connectors allow users to choose other lavalier and headset mics for use with the 7000 Series. Accessories include a rack-mount antenna distribution amplifier for up to six receivers and a low-profile extension antenna well suited for unobtrusive wall mounting.