Neuland & G+B Medientechnik Leverage Shure’s Microflex Advance Ceiling Microphones
MXA910 Provides a Flexible, Discreet Solution for Multifunctional Conference Room
Designing corporate conference rooms can often pose challenges for integrators and partners to provide technically achievable and realistic solutions that meet the aspirations of the client. No matter the case, the goal is to create a space that combines system flexibility and ease-of-use with high-quality audio and intelligibility. Recently, G+B Medientechnik—the integrator—worked in conjunction with interior design specialists, Neuland GmbH, to design a state-of-the-art, multifunctional boardroom that demanded a flexible conferencing system without compromising audio quality or aesthetic appeal. Together, the team chose to install Shure’s Microflex® Advance™ Ceiling Microphones (MXA910).
Upon deciding to overhaul the room’s audio technology, the customer noted that the selected solution should be seamlessly integrated into the design of the space as discreetly and aesthetically-pleasing as possible, so that there was no visible wiring or cabling.
Given the required flexibility of the space, a large conference table can be set up in a V-shape or U-shape, or be pushed together. The room is regularly used for video conferencing and presentations, and only has a single recessed set of power and networking connectors in the floor. As such, it was imperative that speech could be perfectly captured, no matter how the table was configured, or what the seating setup looked like at any given point in time.
To meet these requirements and room parameters, G+B Medientechnik installed two Shure MXA910 ceiling array microphones. The MXA910s were easily flush-mounted to the ceiling with the aid of the Shure A910-ACM Hard Ceiling Mount. Based on a room plan developed using Shure’s Designer System Configuration Software, the team precisely defined pick-up areas that could be created for a variety of possible seating and table positions.
Leveraging Designer’s device preset capabilities, the setups can now be easily selected and recalled as presets via a centrally located Crestron touch panel. Apart from its use for phone and video conferencing, the room is also conveniently equipped for remotely streamed presentations or training sessions.
As for audio quality, high-quality voice capture is assured as a result of MXA910s automatic positioning tool that allows the user to easily adjust lobes toward each participant’s voice. Given the networked array microphone captures speech in real-time, even the most engaging discussions involving several participants, can be captured with clarity for listeners at the other end of the conferencing connection.