Sennheiser announced a groundbreaking digital wireless audio transmission system, Spectera, at IBC 2024. This innovative solution leverages WMAS (Wireless Multichannel Audio System) technology to simplify multichannel audio setups while significantly enhancing their capabilities.
Streamlined Workflow and Enhanced Control
By utilizing WMAS technology, Spectera reduces system complexity and offers a streamlined workflow. Full remote control and monitoring, including permanent spectrum sensing, are key features of this system. This advancement translates to significant time savings and improved operational efficiency for audio professionals.
Bidirectional Bodypacks for Versatile Performance
Spectera features bidirectional bodypacks capable of managing both digital IEM/IFB and mic/line signals concurrently. This wideband solution ensures resistance to RF fading and allows for exceptional flexibility. Notably, it achieves an impressive latency of just 0.7 milliseconds for digital IEMs.
Addressing Multichannel Challenges
Spectera effectively tackles common challenges associated with multichannel wireless systems. It simplifies frequency coordination and rack cabling, minimizing the footprint typically required for such setups. This system is particularly well-suited for large-scale productions in touring, broadcasting, theater, and other demanding environments.
WMAS Technology: A New Era in Wireless Audio
Sebastian Georgi and Jan Watermann pioneered Sennheiser’s unique approach to WMAS. This proprietary variant of OFDM-TDMA technology ensures reliable, low-latency, bidirectional communication across multiple channels. Instead of relying on numerous narrowband RF carrier frequencies, Spectera utilizes a single 6 or 8 MHz TV channel to transmit audio and control data bidirectionally.
Efficient Use of Spectrum
The WMAS system cleverly organizes audio links within this channel, assigning each link a specific time slot for transmission. This efficient approach allows both IEMs and mics to operate within the same TV channel, maximizing spectrum usage. Consequently, a single 6 or 8 MHz channel can accommodate an entire production’s audio needs.
Compact and Powerful Base Station
The Spectera ecosystem base station is remarkably compact, occupying just a single rack unit. Despite its size, it boasts 32 inputs and 32 outputs, effectively replacing a rack full of conventional wireless receivers and transmitters.
Versatile Bodypacks
The SEK bodypacks further contribute to space efficiency. A single bodypack can handle both IEM and microphone or instrument signals, offering remarkable flexibility during a show. These bodypacks are available in UHF (470 – 608 MHz and 630 – 698 MHz) and 1G4 (1350 – 1400 MHz and 1435 – 1525 MHz) frequency variants.
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