Audio Reference Companding
Shure's patented Audio Reference Companding is currently featured in many Shure Wireless Systems, and in some PSM 700 Personal Monitor Systems (H3 and L2 bands).
Audio Reference Companding: The Basics
What does it do?
Improves wireless sound quality.
What is it?
A more efficient companding scheme.
What is companding?
Companding is the process of compressing the audio signal prior to transmission and expanding it after reception. All pro audio wireless needs companding to deliver a wide dynamic range (greater than 100dB).
How does it work?
Audio Reference Companding is a level-dependent companding scheme. Instead of companding across the entire dynamic range like most wireless systems (causing a whooshing audio artifact known as "breathing"), companding only occurs at high audio levels. These levels are high enough to make the companding artifacts inaudible.
Why is it better?
Sounds more like a wired microphone, with less noise and greater dynamic range than other wireless systems. No artifacts, lower noise floor, clearer sound at all audio levels.
Audio Reference Companding: Tangible results
Specific attributes of Audio Reference Companding that the listener will notice are:
- No "breathing" noise
- Lower noise floor
- More headroom - won't clip as easily
- Clearer sound at all audio levels
- Sounds more like a wired mic, as clearly demonstrated by these impulse response curves:
Wired Beta 87A
Wireless Beta 87A with variable ratio Wireless Beta 87A with variable ratio
Audio Reference Companding Fixed Ratio Companding