Why Broadcast Audio Is Due For A Revolution

Visuals Advanced. Audio Stalled.

From black and white to 4K and beyond, the visual side of broadcast production has made remarkable progress. The viewing experience has improved across every screen. Meanwhile, the tools used in live audio capture have stayed largely the same.

Engineers have long relied on trusted solutions like shotgun and parabolic microphones. These tools have served the industry well. But today’s productions call for more flexibility, broader coverage, and greater consistency in audio quality. 

Why Has Broadcast Audio Fallen Behind?  

• Visual innovation has led the conversation in broadcast
• Legacy audio tools are deeply embedded in established workflows
• New sound technologies have taken longer to gain adoption in live production  

Today’s viewers expect sound to match the quality of the visuals. In sports and live events especially, immersive audio enhances the experience and brings audiences closer to the moment. To meet these expectations, broadcast audio must evolve.

Why Shotgun and Parabolic Microphones Still Dominate 

For decades, live broadcasts have relied on shotgun mics and parabolic mics to capture event audio.  

Shotgun microphones provide a point-of-view audio capture that aligns with visual content. They offer portability and ease of use, but they have limitations in terms of consistency and directionality. To achieve high directionality, shotgun mics need to be physically long, which can limit placement options in fast-paced environments. 

Parabolic microphones are often used to capture distant sounds, such as those in football, or when pointing at fixed locations, like the pitcher’s mound in baseball. While parabolics can be used to isolate specific audio, they require human operators to steer them accurately. If they are even slightly off target, high-frequency sounds can be missed entirely. 

Shotgun and parabolic microphones have persisted because they can perform the intended tasks, and audio engineers are familiar with their operation. However, their inflexibility and the demands they place on operators can limit their effectiveness, especially in today’s high-performance broadcast environments.  

Limitations of Legacy Analog Microphones for Broadcasting: 

• Long shotgun mics can be difficult to position discreetly
• Parabolic microphones require continuous manual aiming to stay accurate
• Fixed-point captures limit adaptability in dynamic environments
• Rising crowd noise makes it harder to isolate key sounds

Engineers continue to deliver strong results with these tools. Still, the manual adjustments and setup complexity often required can slow workflows and increase the risk of missing critical audio moments.

Missed Moments, Missed Impact 

The limitations of legacy sports microphones significantly impact the viewer's experience. While video cameras capture every visual detail, the essential sounds of the game, such as the subtle cues, player communication, and the raw excitement, can often be muted or lost. 

The disconnect between video and audio diminishes the exciting experience that modern viewers crave. When sound quality lags, the overall storytelling aspect of the broadcast can be compromised. 

Challenges in Sports: 

• Basketball: In-venue music and announcements make it difficult to isolate court sounds
• Baseball: Intense crowd reactions often overpower the crack of the bat or infield communication
• Soccer: Large pitch and deafening crowd can drown out player interaction and subtle game sounds

Without these details, the broadcast can feel less immediate and less connected to the action. Engineers often work around these challenges, but doing so requires extra equipment, coordination, and time.  

Why a Broadcast Microphone Array Changes the Game 

A microphone array is an innovative approach that transforms audio capture. It leverages the power of multiple microphones working together to create a single enhanced audio stream. This setup enables a level of precision and flexibility that traditional broadcast microphones cannot achieve.  

Advantages of a Broadcast Microphone Array: 

• Steerable Lobes: Dynamically adjusted in real-time, providing precise directional control
• Noise Isolation: Focuses directional lobes across capture angles, minimizing ambient noise
• Enhanced Audio: Captures natural, unfiltered sound without the physical limitations of shotgun or parabolic mics 

This approach enables broadcasters to deliver richer, more authentic audio experiences with a single microphone, revolutionizing the way live events are captured and experienced. 

The DCA901: Built for the Future of Broadcast 

Introducing the DCA901, a groundbreaking digital broadcast microphone array that sets a new standard for broadcast audio capture. This compact digital microphone array delivers high-fidelity sound through eight channels via a single network cable. 

The DCA901 is designed for versatility, making it suitable for a wide range of environments, including stadiums, live events, and studios. 

How DCA901 is Redefining Broadcast Audio Capture: 

• Captures up to eight isolated audio channels from a single broadcast array microphone  
• Steerable lobes let you virtually adjust pickup zones, reducing mic count and eliminating manual repositioning 
• A single Dante or AES67 connection delivers audio, power, and control, reducing setup complexity and failure points 
• Built-in DSP handles EQ, compression, delay, and automixing to simplify your mix at the source
• Actively supports REMI workflows and alternate feeds with flexible routing and remote lobe control
• Presets speed up deployments and ensure consistent configurations across shows or seasons 
• Supports seamless 5.1 immersive capture and stereo conversion for both modern and legacy formats 
• Low-profile design installs cleanly in stadiums, studios, or mobile setups and doesn’t distract in camera-ready environments  

The DCA901 seamlessly integrates into professional audio workflows. Its ability to provide broad coverage with minimal ambient noise has sparked excitement and creativity among engineers, unlocking new possibilities for broadcast. 

Hear What Engineers Are Saying

Broadcast professionals have been impressed by the DCA901’s vibrant sound quality, describing it as “more live” and “more present.” Its ability to capture authentic event sound without coloring or distortion has been well received. This feedback highlights the DCA901’s transformative impact on broadcast audio, ensuring every sound is flawless and engaging. 

Setting a New Standard for Broadcast Audio 

For those on the quest for more detail, more efficiency, and greater control over storytelling, consider a new approach. The DCA901 represents a milestone and brings renewed excitement and precision to audio capture, meeting the rising demands of audiences for immersive sound that matches high-definition visuals. 

Experience the DCA901 firsthand and discover how it can elevate your broadcasts. Learn more.