The microphones industry seems to have defied recession with steady sales in 2009

With the expansion of the broadcast industry, the demand for high-end, wireless microphones is on the rise. The key focus of the manufacturer is to produce microphones that remain unaffected by new forms of digital transmitter signals in today's wireless transmission systems.

The advancement of innovative features that cater higher sensitivity and unique design are encouraging factors for the professional microphone market.

Broadly, microphones may be categorized as dynamic, handheld, color, lavalier, instrumental, headsets, shot gun, ribbon and clip-on microphones.

Dynamic microphones work via electromagnetic induction. They are robust, relatively inexpensive and resistant to moisture. This coupled with their potentially high gain before feedback makes them ideal for on-stage use.

Shotgun microphones are highly directional. They have small lobes of sensitivity to the left, right, and rear but are significantly less sensitive to the side and rear than other directional microphones are. This results from placing the element at the end of a tube with slots cut along the side; wave cancellation eliminates much of the off-axis sound. Due to the narrowness of their sensitivity area, shotgun microphones are commonly used on television and film sets, in stadiums, and for field recording of wildlife.

A lavalier microphone offers hands-free operation. These small microphones are worn on the body. Originally, they were held in place with a lanyard worn around the neck, but more often they are fastened to clothing with a clip, pin, tape or magnet. The lavalier cord may be hidden by clothes and either run to an RF transmitter in a pocket or clipped to a belt (for mobile use), or run directly to the mixer (for stationary applications).

Ribbon microphones use a thin, usually corrugated metal ribbon suspended in a magnetic field. The ribbon is electrically connected to the microphone's output, and its vibration within the magnetic field generates the electrical signal.

Market Dynamics

The Indian microphone market for the broadcasting industry in 2009 was steady. The industry is estimated at 3000 units, valued approximately at Rs. 5 crore. This includes the wireless segment and the wired microphones.

The wireless microphones contributing 40 percent of the volume market, however dominates with 65 percent value market share.

Sennheiser, Shure and AKG led the pack. Other aggressive players are Beyerdynamic, Coles Electroacoustics, Electro-Voice, and Lectrosonics.

The high-end microphones find customers in private rental companies, and production houses. Major sales of the microphones are observed in metros such as Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. Top-end auditoriums and live events prefer even higher versions of the high-end microphones. The low-end microphones are bought by TV channels, which traditionally buy low-end microphones as they get stolen, drop into the water, and get spoilt. The channels are also not very insistent on compatibility of frequencies between the various microphones. Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR) need to have inter-compatibility between all the kendras. The wired microphones are normally procured by radio stations, where the ugly visible wire has no relevance.

High-end microphones offer superior quality of electrosonics, miniatures, extremely moisture resistant, sweat resistant and robust. The peak deviation in is 60 dB as compared to 20dB in their low-end counter-parts. The microphones have an amplification factor threshold from 1 to 8 percent depending on quality.

AKG

AKG's products are marketed in India by Hi-Tech Audio Systems Private Limited. These are microphones of high audio quality, and offer quick and easy operation. Two frequency versions, each with upto 155 MHz frequency range of transmitter and receiver give the user the necessary flexibility even in a crowded RF environment. With this ultra wide tuning range it is possible to operate with upto 100 channels simultaneously. AKG microphones are also known for their soft-touch finish and durability. AKG customer base includes broadcast industry, institutional sales, MNC boardrooms, and conference rooms. AKG's popular models WMS 450 and 40 PRO are retailed at Rs. 45,000 and Rs. 15000-Rs. 25000, respectively.

Azden

Azden in India is represented by Visual Technologies India Private Limited. Azden Corporation has been continuously creating technologically advanced microphones. They are used by broadcast professional, video and audio professionals. Azden wired shotgun and zoom mics feature a wide frequency response and low noise levels.

Its SGM-2X double-barrel shotgun microphone comes with 2 barrels that effectively change the pick-up pattern of the microphone. With the short barrel the SGM-2X works as a sensitive omni-directional microphone. By attaching the supplied long barrel, the SGM-2X becomes a directional 15-3/4-inch super cardioid shotgun microphone. The SGM-2X is supplied with a shock-mount holder. This holder can be used on a camera shoe or on a microphone stand. The SGM-2X can be converted into a wireless microphone by purchasing one of Azden's unique XLR plug-in transmitters and matching receiver, such as the 41XT wireless plug-in XLR microphone transmitter matched with the 500UDR or 411UDR receivers.

The 1200 series broadcast professional UHF wireless represents a breakthrough in on-camera, digital frequency-selectable UHF receivers and transmitters. Its enhanced performance assures you of the highest image rejection combined with the finest in audio clarity. The crystal-controlled, PLL-synthesized mixer/local oscillator provides for extremely accurate frequency selection while the twin-antenna true diversity dual front-end reduces multipath distortion caused dropouts to near zero.

Coles Electroacoustics

Deepjyot Electronics represents Coles Electroacoustics in India. Coles Electroacoustics has manufactured the BBC-designed ribbon microphones in the UK for over 30 years. Originally designed for radio and television broadcast, Coles line of ribbon microphones has become one of the primary tools of choice throughout the audio recording industry. The major customers of Coles Electroacoustics are Aaj Tak, NDTV, Zoom Communication, and Times Global Broadcasting. The company sold total 592 units (480 units of model 4104, 12 units of 4104PTT, and 100 units of 4115) in 2009 with a total sales value of Rs. 56 lakh.

DPA

Visual Technologies India Private Limited represents DPA Microphones in India. Some of the popular models are:

4026/27/28 Compact Wide Cardioid: It is a phantom-powered (P48) condenser microphone, which is pre-amplified using a built-in ultra-small thick-film-mounted FET preamplifier. The ultra-small design makes this microphone the perfect choice whenever high-definition audio and insignificant size is paramount.

DPA 4090: It is a high-quality omni-directional condenser microphone. This microphone is suitable for instrument miking applications in studio or on the stage. Due to their remarkably linear frequency response in the 20 Hz to 20 kHz range, sound system engineers can use these mics for sound system alignment, testing, and tuning.

DPA 4061 miniature microphone: It is a pre-polarized omni-directional miniature condenser microphone with a 5.4 mm vertical diaphragm. The device is designed to deal with humidity problems that often occur in theatrical applications. This microphone is available in four colors: black, brown, beige, and white.

8011 hydrophone: It is a 48 V phantom-powered waterproof microphone specially designed to handle the high sound pressure levels and the high static ambient pressure in water and other fluids. A 10 m high-quality audio cable is vulcanized to the body of the hydrophone and fitted with a standard 3-pin XLR. The output is electronically balanced and offers more than 100 dB dynamic range. This microphone is used for professional sound recordings in underwater film shooting and broadcasting.

Lectrosonics

Lectrosonics is a US-based manufacturer which is represented in India by Electro Dynamics. The wireless microphone systems from Lectrosonics are used in mission-critical applications by audio engineers in the film, broadcast, and theater technical communities around the world. In 2009, the company sold 20 units of high-end microphones which are priced at Rs. 70,000 each.

Some of the popular microphones from Lectrosonics are TR50 omnidirectional lavalier microphone, BP892 microset, UT400 digital hybrid Wireless Hand-Held Transmitter, and UT700 digital wireless hand-held Transmitter, and microphone systems such as UCR100 and UCR400 series.

Sanken

In India, Sanken is represented by AGIV India Pvt. Ltd. Sanken produces feature-rich, innovative microphones with excellent sound quality suitable for in a wide variety of professional engineering applications.

CS-1: The CS-1 is Sanken's solution to a large demand from many engineers in the video and film industries. This shotgun mic is easily hidden from the camera's view because of its short length. It is very effective on boom poles, and also works extremely well with various kinds of camera mounts for one-man ENG operations. Affordably priced, the CS-1 is ideal for today's highly mobile operators. Some other features include very sharp directivity, flat frequency response beyond 20 kHz (on axis), high sensitivity, and narrow angle directivity over the entire frequency range, and light weight.

WMS-5: The WMS-5 is a 5-channel surround microphone self-contained in one mic body. As the newest model in a comprehensive line of the highest quality microphones for audio recording, HDTV broadcast and film, the breakthrough Sanken WMS-5 utilizes extensive M-S stereo research conducted in conjunction with Japan's NHK. The WMS-5 is the ideal microphone for on-location multi-channel audio recording.

Surround sound for broadcast and film has become quite popular, but creating realistic multi-channel soundtracks in post-production from traditional microphone sources has proven problematic, time consuming, and unnatural. The WMS-5 delivers realistic surround sound with minimal setup time, and is easily mounted on a camera, boom pole, or pistol grip.

CMS-2: The CMS-2 is an M-S stereo condenser microphone designed primarily to record orchestras, choruses and choirs in theatres, concert halls and churches. Because of the "one-point" physical presence of the microphone itself, the operator can obtain a very naturally mixed stereo sound with the use of the MS to LR matrix circuitry. The light titanium diaphragm permits a wide frequency response and the ability to withstand high SPLs up to 145 dB. It is a 48 V phantom driven microphone.

The Sanken CMS-2 is a small and light MS stereo microphone for TV/radio broadcasting, and studio and live music recording. Delivering a natural, uncolored sound and offering perfect reproduction of the stereo sound image, it is ideal as a main microphone for orchestras or musical groups.

CO-100K: The Sanken CO-100K is a 100 kHz microphone designed for actual professional recording, not for measurement purposes. This microphone is especially suited for classical music, acoustic instrument and sound effect recording. The CO-100K is a new step in microphone technology, providing new realms of musical detail and nuance.

COS-11D: Sanken has introduced the COS-11D, a new version of the popular lavalier, which overcomes digital transmitter radio frequency interference (RFI). Sanken has designed the COS-11D specifically to diminish the instances where interference is an issue. The new COS-11D joins the COS-11 tradition of providing an ideal solution for live broadcasting, location recording and studio applications. In addition, COS-11D series is available in four colors: black, gray, beige and white.

Sennheiser

Sennheiser has been synonymous with top-quality products and tailor-made complete solutions for all aspects of the recording, transmission and reproduction of sound. The constant development of new technology in acoustics and electronics is the key to reinforcing the strong market position held by Sennheiser.

Sennheiser wireless components have a reputation among stage professionals in terms of flexibility and reliability. Their technical features include five useable frequency windows of up to 75 MHz, switchable RF output power, network-compatibility and optimum operation using rechargeable batteries on all components. Concert stages, broadcasting, theaters and the film industry now benefit from this impressive wireless option.

Sennheiser has launched two new wireless microphone series globally and simultaneously in India, the 2000 series and third generation evolution wireless EW G3. The 2000 series includes SKM 2000, EM 2000, EM 2050, SK 2000, SKP 2000, SR 2000 IEM, SR 2050 IEM, and EK 2000. IEM handheld and body pack transmitters with single or twin receivers are available for stage, broadcasting and installed sound applications. The new EW G3 comprises 100, 300 and 500 G3 wireless microphone series and 300 IEM G3 wireless monitoring system products.

New features in EW G3 wireless systems promise easy setup and ensure that reporting teams, PA companies, established and upcoming performers, musicians and presenters can get up and get running quickly. Featuring rugged metal housings, all G3 series true-diversity receivers now have a switching bandwidth of 42 MHz with 1680 tunable UHF frequencies for interference-free reception. All third-generation receivers offer a new one-touch synchronization feature which enables G3 transmitters to communicate with G3 receivers via an infrared interface, simplifying setup dramatically. Large variety of accessories is available for both 2000 Series and Evolution G3 wireless microphone to ideally configure them for specific application.

Sennheiser also produces wired instruments such as dynamic reporter mics, lapel microphone and MKH series mics for broadcasters.

Shure

In India, Shure is represented by Sun Infonet. Shure microphones have delivered the unmatched sound quality and durability that have made them essential for stage performance and studio recording around the world. Tailored for performers of every level, Shure offers a complete family of wired microphones to meet any audio need. It provides both wired and wireless microphones.

KSM Series: KSM microphones deliver world-class mastery of sound reproduction from exquisite electro-acoustical design and technology. Crafted from premium components, each KSM microphone is designed to capture and control the detailed sonic nuance of critical studio performance, while withstanding the punishment of the most accomplished and demanding live sound reinforcement.

SM Series: Shure SM microphones deliver an unparalleled mix of audio quality and rugged dependability that has made them the industry standard in professional sound for over 40 years. Built to withstand the rigors of regular stage and studio use, SM microphones are the cornerstone of a complete family of Shure wired microphones tailored to meet any audio need.

PG Series: The PG27USB and PG42USB microphones connect professional-caliber mic capsules to any USB computer port with plug and play performance. These cardioid condenser microphones feature built-in headphone monitoring with zero latency and monitor mix control, enabling users to instantly hear what they are recording and make adjustments on the go. The key difference between the PG27USB and PG42USB microphones is the application for which they were designed. The PG27USB features a flat, neutral frequency response for reproduction of a wide variety of instrument and vocal sounds. The PG42USB was specially engineered for vocal use. Its large diaphragm, low-cut filter and external shock-mount are all optimized for the higher sensitivity required for vocal performances.