"Where is the mic? Can you hear me ok if I sit here?" Wouldn’t it be great to take out the guesswork of where a microphone is best picking up your voice? In audio, we use polar patterns to basically map out how a microphone ‘hears’ from various directions, sort of a 3 dimensional space around the device where it is most sensitive to sound, and for the most part, many of us are pretty familiar with the basic omnidirectional, cardioid or bi-directional and their variations… that is, until now.

Shure, one of the most trusted audio brands worldwide, presents us with a revolutionary new ‘‘Toroid’’ Pattern in the MXA310 Microflex® Advance™ Table Array Microphone, that fully covers all around in a donut type shape while also discarding unwanted sounds. We caught up with Brandon Operchuck from Audio Geer who filled us in on this game-changing product by Shure.

‘‘The older style of hanging the microphone from the ceiling had a single pattern to them, fixed and can’t be varied’’ says Brandon ‘‘ developed by Shure engineers, the unique ‘‘Toroid’’ ring-shaped polar pattern optimizes voices by rejecting overhead noise from projectors or other sources.’’ And that is whether you’re sitting or standing, it covers just the area you’re likely to be around and removes the sound of projectors, air conditioners or any fan noises that tend to drown out voices.

The secret is really in the steerable coverage of the various lobes that manage 4 listening areas, which can combine various patterns. Like these:

But, can we talk about design? The The Microflex Advance Table Array Microphone is discrete; it’s low profile design not only provides exceptional audio quality, but it also easily blends into the environment Available in white, black, and aluminum and with configurable mult-colored display LED lights that can be matched in color to the décor, it’s sure to look sleek in any room.

It’s a best in class ceiling and table microphone for AV conferencing. Interested in learning more? Give AVPlanners a call to learn more about the Shure MXA310 Ceiling Array Microphone and other audio solutions for your workplace or business by calling us at 800-409-3587.