The sale represents the first of A-T Artist Elite 5000 Series wireless systems by LMC into the corporate AV market, and a first time purchase for Onyx Presentations. The purchase was part of a continuing expansion of the company's conference hire AV systems. The switch to Audio-Technica was the result of client feedback, concerning the suitability of existing wireless microphone systems for conference applications.
"People were reporting finding the capsules on our existing systems too large and heavy, particularly for female presenters," explains managing director Paul Gilley. "We had seen an advert for the Artist Elite series, and arranged for a demo from LMC. It was then that we discovered the PC control elements, the automatic frequency set up, and the Ethernet link, for building multi-channel configurations; all features not available to us with our previous systems."
Steve King, sales manager LMC, points to "the build quality, discrete and extremely lightweight bodypacks, and the ease of operation and user benefits of the monitoring software", as major advantages of the AEW-5000 Series for conferencing and presentation applications
Onyx Presentations' system comprises, six AEW-R5200 true diversity, frequency-agile dual receivers, 12 AEW-T1000 UniPak bodypack transmitters, six AEW-T4100 dynamic handheld transmitters, and 12 ES943 miniature cardioid clip mics, along with remote antenna and distribution amplifiers. The company has already deployed the system as part of a major presentation project, and Gilley describes it as "handling superbly".
The AEW-R5200 comprises two independent receivers in a single full-rack housing, each receiver providing in the region of 400 selectable UHF channels throughout Europe. Receivers may be linked to form a complete system in which the built-in IntelliScan capability can automatically determine and set the best available frequencies on all linked receivers, minimizing interference and intermodulation. An AC pass-through system allows multiple receivers to be powered using only one outlet.
The receivers incorporate Ethernet ports, enabling monitoring of system parameters via the included Macintosh or Windows software. Dual-band compander circuitry compresses and expands low- and high-frequency audio signals separately, minimizing artifacts such as pumping and breathing and maximizing audio quality. The digital Tone Lock squelch system ignores RF that does not carry the wanted signal's unique signature. Concurrently, a digital ID signal carried by the frequency-modulated audio conveys transmitter information back to the receiver. An external mute switch jack provides the capability to mute the system quickly and easily.
The AEW-T1000 UniPak transmitter offers advanced features such as a recessed dual-impedance four-pin locking connector, durable metal body, soft-touch controls with sliding cover, and an input level that is adjustable in two dB increments. The AEW-T4100 handheld transmitter features a high quality, Audio-Technica Artist Elite cardioid, dynamic capsule, rugged, metal bodied construction, programmable on/off/mute switching, and switchable 10 mW/35 mW RF power.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
