UK microphone manufacturer SoundField introduced a new version of its SPS200 compact microphone at this weekend’s AES 2009 in New York. The SPS200 Zephyx Kit includes a specially manufactured version of SoundField's existing SPS200 microphone with a shorter body, known as the SPS200-SB, fitted into the supplied Zephyx suspension mount.
Like other SoundField microphones, the SPS200 is a multicapsule mic capable of capturing audio in three dimensions and outputting audio in a variety of formats, including mono, stereo and phase-coherent 5.1. The SPS200 is the smallest, lightest and most affordable microphone in the SoundField range and does not require a separate hardware decoder. Instead, users determine the output audio format in post-production using a crossplatform computer plug-in called Surround Zone, which is available for VST- and TDM-compatible digital audio workstations.
Given its size and weight, the SPS200-SB is ideally suited to capturing both stereo and surround audio on location. With this use in mind, the new SPS200 Zephyx Kit includes a Zephyx mount and windshield system made up of a lightweight floating cage assembly, which mechanically decouples the microphone from the supporting boom pole or stand, virtually eliminating vibration and handling noise. To further improve mechanical isolation, the SPS200-SB is fitted with an 11in flying lead that acts as an antivibration cable inside the Zephyx floating cage. Also supplied as standard with the kit is a 16.5ft microphone cable terminating in four male XLRs, and a hat box-style carry case.
SoundField mics are available in the United States through TransAudio Group.
