ONTARIO, CANADA, NOVEMBER 16, 2009 — Holophone®, the leading manufacturer of surround microphones, is now shipping its PortaMic 5.1 and PortaMic Pro camera-mountable surround microphones. Holophone’s PortaMic 5.1 is an easy-to-use and cost-effective means of recording surround sound directly to a camera or any stereo recording device, while its PortaMic Pro microphone is based on the design of the PortaMic 5.1, but offers a wider feature set designed for professional applications, also in a compact size at an aggressive price point.
“We are excited to announce that the much anticipated, award-winning Holophone PortaMic 5.1 and PortaMic Pro surround microphones are now shipping and are receiving a very positive response from the industry,” says Michael Godfrey, president and founder of Holophone. “We have been overwhelmed with orders for the PortaMic products and are currently sold out from the company’s first production run. We expect to have a limited number available in our second release which is scheduled for mid-December.”
Holophone’s PortaMic 5.1, designed to be used on a video camera or HD DSLR camera, taps into the power of the company’s H4 SuperMINI to offer users a professional-grade, 5.1 audio recording at a price that fits into any production budget – the mic retails for $599. Its compact size and low learning curve make it a perfect addition to any audio or video application including in-studio, field recording, documentary and ENG. The PortaMic’s 6cm (2.5 inch) x 3.5 cm (1.5 inch) mic head is powered through six separate mic elements arranged to correspond with the typical 5.1 speaker setup in a studio or home theater. This patented design allows users to simply capture from a single point source, a discrete surround recording, with no additional mixing required.
Based on the design of the PortaMic 5.1, Holophone’s PortaMic Pro offers professional quality audio and options with point-and-shoot usability—all in a compact size at an aggressive price point (the mic retails for $999). Using the company’s patented design, the PortaMic Pro allows users to simply capture, from a single point source, a discrete surround recording that provides listeners with a 3D immersive experience. With the PortaMic Pro, users now have additional control of their recordings with an audio zoom button, similar to a camera's zoom feature, that increases the forward bias of the mic’s pick-up pattern and decreases the rear channels, giving the user’s recording a more forward bias. The PortaMic Pro also includes a locking 6-pin balanced encoded stereo output, which provides a robust connection to professional grade video cameras and stereo input devices.
Both PortaMic microphones are equipped with Dolby Laboratories’ Dolby® Pro Logic II® encoder. This allows the mic’s six audio channels to be encoded down to two channels, so it can be recorded to any modern broadcast camera or stereo recording device—right down to a classic analog stereo cassette recorder. With the encoder measuring only 2.5cm (1 inch) high, users have access to Holophone’s renowned recording technology, while still being able to enjoy an uninterrupted sightline. Recordings made by the PortaMic models are output line level directly to any stereo device you choose. To ensure a high-quality recording even in loud environments, the mic features unity gain control and a 12-db pad. The mic and encoder may be powered by a 9v battery as well as 12v DC from external power sources.
About Holophone
Holophone is committed to developing and commercializing products that use patented 3-D audio technology to bring the physical experience of “really being there” to a new level for all audio and visual productions by professionals and hobbyists. Holophone provides customers and business partners with industry-leading product and service quality. Holophone is firmly dedicated to providing outstanding value, excellence in service, and product performance.
Holophone® surround-sound microphones are patented audio recording devices designed specifically to address the challenges audio professionals face in capturing, recording and broadcasting multichannel surround sound. Developed by Rising Sun Productions in Toronto, Canada, Holophone systems effortlessly capture discrete signals that are ultra-realistic and provide the most accurate spatiality, audio imaging, and directionality of any recording device. Entirely compatible with all audio mixing, encoding, and playback systems, Holophone also enhances mono and stereo mixes. Holophone systems provide the perfect front end for all professional and consumer audio applications including HDTV broadcasting, standard broadcasting of live sporting and music events, feature film location recording, and studio recording for music, films, and worship applications. Holophone surround sound technology has been used for numerous national and international broadcasts, including the Grammy Awards and NFL Super Bowl. As a scalable system, Holophone technology is also available for license to the consumer electronics industry.
