Voyage Audio has announced the Spatial Mic, a compact universal tool for easy creation of ambient content in Ambisonic format.
The Voyage Audio Spatial Mic reckons to simplify the creation of audio content significantly for applications such as games. As a professional second-order Ambisonics VR microphone, it features eight accurately aligned mic capsules in a small housing, making it easy to position. Its multichannel audio is fed to a connected DAW through USB-C or Adat lines, while an integrated amplifier feeds headphones a virtual 3D signal to assist in optimising the microphone position for three-dimensional sound capture. Voyage Audio also provides tools for professional postproduction if the form of the Spatial Mic Converter plug-in, which converts the eight individual channels into either stereo, first-order Ambisonics or second-order Ambisonics. It also enables detailed retouching of directional information.
The eight small-diaphragm electret condenser microphone capsules inside the Spatial Mic are designed to meet all requirements of a professional studio microphone. In order to enable a clear 3D audio image, every capsule is individually calibrated. The microphone’s body also contains high-quality, digitally controlled analogue preamps, top-shelf A/D converters and a powerful 16-core DSP, allowing the microphone to be directly connected to the recording computer. The digital resolution underlines the microphone’s professional approach: up to 96kHz at 24 bits can be transferred via USB-C. Both USB-C and Adat can be used simultaneously.
The Spatial Mic is easy to position due to its ball joint and is compatible with Rycote InVision shockmounts. An included windscreen allows use of the microphone in outdoor recording. Level, monitor volume and direct monitoring are controlled with the prominent front knob, with an LED ring visually representing the gain. When the microphone is set up in a hard-to-reach position, all features can be adjusted remotely via software. Remote Control also allows adjustment of the direction of mic pick up from a computer. Power can be supplied via USB-C or micro USB, so standard power banks can be employed for this purpose.
The Spatial Mic Converter plug-in enables the microphone’s direction to be defined and automated in postproduction, and can output the signals as first- or second-order Ambisonics as well as stereo. The Spatial Mic is not restricted to offline content, as its integrated headphone output provides a binaural live monitoring with Google Resonance HRTFs, qualifying it for direct transmissions via YouTube, Facebook and other social media platforms.
The Voyage Audio Spatial Mic is available from specialised retailers at MSRP of €867.23 (excl VAT).
More: www.voyage.audio
