The television broadcast microphones market in India in the year 2010 accounts for Rs. 12 crore, with wireless microphones sales at Rs. 7 crore and their wired counterparts at Rs. 5 crore.

The television broadcast microphones market in India in the year 2010 accounts for Rs. 12 crore, with wireless microphones sales at Rs. 7 crore and their wired counterparts at Rs. 5 crore. The wireless microphones include handheld, lapel, and headworn microphones, with a combined market of 6900 numbers. With the wired microphones gradually losing their gleam, wireless microphones are spelling the new mantra of success, especially for live performers. These include lavalier, reporter mics, and shotgun mics, with combined sales of 4600 numbers. This does not include the FM broadcast mics. Sennheiser dominated the market with a 58 percent value share and sales of 5000 microphones. Harman is the other aggressive brand, commanding a 17 percent value share and sales at 2300 numbers. Other brands, including Shure, Electrosonic, Coles Electroacoustics, Lectrosonics, Sanken, Audio Technica, Beyerdynamics, Electro-Voice, Sony, have a combined value market share of 25 percent, with sales of 4200 numbers. With improving economic condition, leading the path for entertainment and infotainment industry, 2010 can be termed as a year of turnaround for the microphones industry in India.

The microphones industry in India is on the verge of new age revolution as it is witnessing several positive developments in terms of the maturity of broadcast and music industry - from recordings to film or live performances. There are tremendous growth opportunities for the industry in terms of innovation and technology. The microphone segment has had a 15-20 percent increase in sales since last year. The increasing number of reality shows, music and dance shows, recording studios, live concerts has provided the momentum to this segment. Sports events including Commonwealth Games 2010 and cricket matches too have been key drivers. With HD production gaining momentum and FM phase III licensing in the country, the sector is likely to witness further unparalleled growth.

Today's performers certainly have different demands of the product than earlier artists did. There is no doubt that the state-of-the-art in microphone design continues to advance. Today's mics combine size, shape, and structural elements that not only determine styling, but also have an effect on sound performance. This means that users are looking at more versatile microphones, which exactly meet their requirements for quality of output, as also other features such as smaller and compact size. In the field of wireless systems, a major requirement of customers is their demand for larger bandwidth to make the systems more flexible in an ever more congested frequency spectrum. Besides this, customers expect easy and intuitive setup and operation.

Technology Trends

Digital Microphones. Recent advances in technology have enabled microphone manufacturers to incorporate the analog to digital converter into the microphone itself. The advantage of this is that there is no quality loss due to impedance and induced distortion artifacts. It can operate on standard 75 ohm XLR cables up to 100 m, and up to 400 m on 110 ohm (AES 3) cables.

An added benefit of this system is that it is possible to remotely control all the functions of the microphone from the mixer or recorder. Additionally, information such as the microphone's manufacturer, model, serial number, software version installed, and a list of control functions are displayed. Also the sound source can be named for that microphone.

The technology that supports this remote control is the AES 42 protocol. This is agreed upon standard approved by the Audio Engineering Society which any manufacturer of digital microphones is required to conform.

Digital microphone has a three-pin XLR connector. However, unlike analog microphones, this connector handles a bi-directional signal (AES 42) which takes a balanced audio feed from the microphone and supplies phantom power, the remote control data stream, and a synchronizing signal from the master clock to the microphone. Unlike analog systems, digital systems require a master clock to keep all of the packets of digital information in the correct sequence.

Mode1 and mode2. This AES42-2010 standard describes an extension of the digital audio interface AES3 to provide a digital interface for microphones and revises AES42-2001. The principal changes in this document define additional operating features in the command structure so that processing internal to the microphone may be controlled from a mixing console. The 2010 revision adds the AES42 system-command set to enable storage and recall of user settings in the microphone itself. AES 42 has two modes of synchronizing digital microphones with the controller.

Mode 1 operates asynchronously, i.e., the microphone generates its own internal clock and a sample rate converter in the controller that matches the sample rates and timing of each microphone's signals.

In mode 2, the controller sends timing (frequency and phase) information to each microphone to control the internal quartz oscillator in each microphone. Mode 2 is the preferred option since mode 1 can impair the signal quality in terms of dynamic range and latency times.

Currently, there are only a few manufacturers making digital microphones using AES 42 technology, which include Neumann with their KM-D range and Schoeps with their Colette range.

USB Microphones. Although technically digital microphones, they are not as versatile as AES42 types, and some care needs to be taken with their gain structure (particularly those with 16 bit converters) to avoid hiss and distortion. Gain has to be set at the microphone itself, and the signal cannot travel very long distances without employing USB powered hubs to amplify the signal.

However, they are a compact and light-weight solution for transmitting audio into a computer since they do not require a separate pre-amplifier and analog to digital converter. When using many microphones, a mixer (analog or digital) is ideal because it avoids the issue of running out of the necessary number of USB ports. Examples of USB microphones are Audio Technica's AT2020-USB, Rode's Podcaster and Samson's G Track SA-GM1U.

Also in this category is the HHB DRM 85 which has a built-in flash ram recorder that can be connected to the DAW (digital audio workstation), after recording is finished for editing.

Microphone design is an exciting combination of art and science. Modern technology is moving mic design in new directions. Future advancements will continue to bring us mics that serve the digital age, but careful designs and work of an earlier time still give us a guideline for what to expect out of a microphone.

Major Players

AKG by Harman offers a range of microphones that have a robust research and development charter based in Austria combined with a legacy of 60 years at its disposal. AKG caters to both the professional and consumer segments with microphones and headphones. A vast range of wired and wireless microphones cater to demand of various segments and has set industry benchmarks, meeting customer demands and specific needs while maintaining consistently high levels of quality in production.

In 2010, AKG launched Perception Wireless, which made category-leading performance and unmatched versatility accessible to a wide array of users. The new wireless microphone system comes complete with bandwidths up to 30 MHz and excessively low current transmitters, which are unique in its class, cementing Perception Wireless as one of the most comprehensive systems in its price range.

For over 60 years, AKG has used its considerable expertise and know how to develop products that serve markets as diverse as music, recording, and broadcast to permanent installation. While in the live sound space, both wired and wireless microphones are preferred by musicians, the broadcast and recording industry goes for with AKG ranging from C series (C414 -XLS, C4000 B-BC, CK 69ULS, CK 98, D230,) Blue Line to Perception series best suited for demanding instrument and vocal performance. The D230 series is used in TV, motion picture, video production, ENG/EFP (Outdoor), and Recording. In the wireless series DMS 700 (DSR 700 and DHT 700), the DSR 700 uses both frequency bands and a customized frequency table that allows operation of more than 100 channels simultaneously.

Azden is represented by VTI-BEI Group of Companies in India. Azden Corporation has been continuously creating technologically advanced microphones. They are used by broadcast, video, and audio professionals. Azden wired shotgun and zoom mics feature a wide frequency response and low noise levels.

Coles Electroacoustics is represented by Deepjyot Electronics in India. The company offers various microphones including 4040 Studio, 4038 Studio, 4104 Commentators, and 4115 Broadcasters, 4040 is its newest addition. With a bold look, greater output, and a wider frequency response, the Coles 4040 are sure to complement any studio microphone cabinet, using the very latest magnet technology.

The frequency response of the 4038 is exceptionally flat from 30 to 15,000 c/s but where the 4038 starts to drop off, the 4040 carries on past 20,000 c/s and throughout this range, like the 4038, the shape of the bi-directional (figure of eight) polar response is maintained substantially constant both in the horizontal and vertical planes, giving a natural smooth sonic quality textured response to sound signal being picked up. The 4115 Broadcaster's Noise Cancelling Ribbon Microphone is used for close indoor talking situations where good quality broadcasting and public address announcement speech is required to be reproduced in conditions with high background noise present.

DPA Microphones is represented by VTI-BEI Group of Companies in India. It has added three new models to its 4099 clip microphone range, which has proved successful with musicians worldwide. The range, which is now complete, has been expanded to include the 4099D for drums, 4099P for pianos, and the universal 4099U microphone mount. The complete range now provides a dedicated 4099 for all instruments comprising a full orchestra.

With its groundbreaking technology to create the 4099 range. musicians deserve to get the best sound possible from their instruments when playing live These cost-effective mics are handcrafted in Denmark for a wide array of musical instruments, complete with gentle, discreet mounting solutions, and robust carrying cases. All 4099 mics feature a supercardioid polar pattern for superior gain-before-feedback.

Lectrosonics is a US-based manufacturer which is represented in India by Electro Dynamics. The company's wireless microphone systems are used in mission-critical applications by audio engineers in the film, broadcast, and theater technical communities around the world. Some of the popular microphones from Lectrosonics are M119, omni directional Capsule, M140, miniature cardiod capsule, and M 152 a high performance omni directional capsule.

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

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.

The new Sennheiser MKH 8060 and MKH 8070 shotgun mics are designed so the sound signal only becomes quieter if the sound source does not lie on the axis of the microphone rather than being colored in an undesirable fashion.

The compact MKH 8060 is a versatile short-gun microphone, equally at home on or off camera, while the long MKH 8070 rifle microphone is a specialist for more distant sound sources and is better suited for sports reporting and nature recordings.

Both models feature a natural and lifelike sound, because off-axis sound is attenuated without coloration. Their radio-frequency condenser principle also makes both microphones extremely weather-resistant, ensuring that they can cope even with climatically difficult conditions, such as extreme cold and moisture.

Wired and wireless conference system, audio guide, and tourguide systems are also available and can be scaled to handle almost every application one can think of, be it a corporate conference room or a large-scale tour guide system for a heritage site.

Shure is represented by Sun Infonet in India. 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. Some of popular series for Shure include the Beta Series, SM Series and KSM Series.

Modern technology is moving mic design in new directions. Microphone design is an exciting combination of art and science. Future advancements will continue to bring us mics that serve the digital age, but the careful designs and work of an earlier time still give us a guideline for what to expect out of a microphone.

This article is based on research conducted by Broadcast & Cablesat in January, 2011