University of North Carolina Greensboro's Faculty and Students Are All Ears for Sony's MAS-A100 Beamforming Mic
data-src=https://creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/avatars/263018/5fa08c562aaf4-bpthumb.jpg data-srcset=https://creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/avatars/263018/5fa08c561c0e7-bpfull.jpg 2x class=lazyload avatar avatar-80 photo height=80 width=80 />
Brie Clayton April 7, 2021
0 Comments
Despite being in existence for more than 125 years, University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG) continues to use the latest cutting-edge technology to innovate and help support their core mission of providing engaging academic programs that unleash student potential and make a meaningful impact in the community and world. Challenged with a year like no other, UNCG needed to accommodate an intuitive and immersive HyFlex model of teaching and learning. Through monetary support enabled by the CARES relief fund, UNCG installed 16 of Sony's MAS-A100 beamforming ceiling microphones across their campus, with plans underway to implement 40 additional units for the college's new nursing building.
data-src=https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/07165752/UNCG-Sony-IP-Mic-4-300x225-1.jpg alt= class=lazyload wp-image-2407625/>
The pandemic made UNCG accelerate their plans to update their learning environments and make them hybrid friendly. All 250 of the school's classrooms were evaluated throughout the summer of 2020 and Larry Darling, Classroom Technology Manager at University of North Carolina Greensboro, was tasked with ensuring each room met a basic level of standard and leveraged UCC technology to ensure better outcomes for students and educators. His primary object was to outfit at least one room in every building with transformational technology to enhance the in-person and remote educational experience.
data-src=https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/07165815/UNCG-Sony-IP-Mic-3-225x300-1.jpg alt= class=lazyload wp-image-2407626/>
Darling started out by addressing classrooms' lecture capture capabilities, which is when he homed in on Sony's touchless MAS-A100 microphone, which is optimized for lecture and presentation environments. He explained, As we sought a more conversation-driven pedagogy, we recognized our lecture capture rooms just weren't equipped for that type of teaching style. I recalled a demonstration I'd seen of Sony's beamforming microphone during InfoComm and quickly knew that it was just what UNCG needed. Since it would be difficult to virtually test technology and with a universal need for more accommodating equipment at the forefront, I knew time was of the essence and we placed an order for 16 microphones right away.
data-src=https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/07165833/UNCG-Sony-IP-Mic-2-225x300-1.jpg alt= class=lazyload wp-image-2407627/>
The flexible and easy to integrate MAS-A100 microphones feature advanced clear audio for speech reinforcement and the ability to suppress unwanted feedback. As professors adapt to the new educational paradigm and fewer in-person classes, Darling has found that the rooms with the beamforming microphones are the most requested among faculty. He said, Despite remote learning, many professors are coming into the classroom to teach and take advantage of the tools and technology in place. With the MAS-A100, the sound quality is so much better than a standard ceiling microphone or any other type of in-classroom audio system. With the changeover to a HyFlex model, you need to account for conversations among students at home and in class. Using this solution, we're easily able to pick up both sides of a conversation, so that students at home can hear what's going on in the classroom and partake in the conversation via Zoom and vice versa. The beamforming microphones have really enabled that interactive, conversation-based pedagogy.
data-src=https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/07165848/UNCG-Sony-IP-Mic-1-225x300-1.jpg alt= class=lazyload wp-image-2407628/>
Speaking to the benefits of the microphones, Darling noted, When we first selected them, it was primarily focused on the value. When you factored together their cost with their coverage range, it was a hard microphone to beat. Another reason we found these mics to be cost-effective is due to the built-in processing. We can put a Dante USB connection on the computer and there's enough EQ and noise reduction in the mic itself, which has eliminated the need for DSPs. In using the MAS-A100, we've been really impressed with the sound quality and the built-in features of the mics, especially for the price.
Another key reason UNCG standardized on the MAS-A100 is due to Darling and the school's relationship with the Sony brand. Darling summarized, Due to the challenges of the pandemic, I had to go with a company I trusted. I had already built a relationship with Sony and I knew they would support me if there were any issues. It was a pretty quick decision to go with Sony and I was thrilled that the product worked as well as I expected it to, considering it's not the way I typically like to try a new product on campus!
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
09/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/10/2026
September 10 2026, 06:00 (PDT) Dolby Expands Dolby OptiView Platform with New Capabilities at IBC 2026
New Sports Intelligence helps providers better unders...
08/10/2026
Modern venues have come a long way since the tinny, echoing audio of the mid 20t...
08/10/2026
ESPN's first Super Bowl production will stream in English and Spanish on Disney+, while the ESPN App carries the full slate of game, ManningCast, studio, an...
08/10/2026
From high-school videoboards to War Eagle Productions, the Opelika native is learning how to lead shows and capture big moments
The future of live sports produ...
08/10/2026
The Television Academy and Prime Video have announced a six-year agreement making Prime Video the exclusive global home of the Emmy Awards beginning with the 20...
08/10/2026
Techex will exhibit at NAB Show New York 2026 (Booth 623, Javits Center, October...
08/10/2026
X Games has announced the appointment of Steve Rogers as Chief Operating Officer. Rogers previously served as COO of World Supercross and spent nearly a decade ...
08/10/2026
Fonn Group has appointed Trevor Spielmann as Sales Director for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Spielmann joins from EVS, where he held sales and business de...
08/10/2026
The flagship program will originate from major PG events with a four-camera production, live distribution across PGTV, social platforms
Perfect Game is bringin...
08/10/2026
Innovation rarely happens in a vacuum. More often, it happens at the point of collision: when worlds that have run on separate tracks begin to converge. That is...
08/10/2026
For decades, the production and broadcast services business has run on a familia...
08/10/2026
Uplynk, Zixi, BroadView Software, and Grass Valley have published The IP Converg...
08/10/2026
The NFL has announced the return of the Big Data Bowl, the league's analytics competition, now in its ninth year and again powered by AWS. Registration is o...
08/10/2026
Eutelsat has renewed its partnership with T l diffusion d'Alg rie (TDA), Algeria's national broadcasting network operator, for continued distribution of...
08/10/2026
Disney will livestream Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027, alongside the game's broadcast on ESPN and ABC. All Disney subscribers in the United States wi...
08/10/2026
RHStv and Red House Streaming have announced an expansion of their partnership w...
08/10/2026
Gray Media has announced a distribution agreement with TEGNA and DAZN to simulca...
08/10/2026
SVG readers can save 10% on registration and receive a complimentary Solutions H...
08/10/2026
PROTON Camera Innovations GmbH has been named a recipient of a 2026 Technology a...
08/10/2026
Industry leaders discuss real-world cloud workflows for live game production, pl...
08/10/2026
The next-gen audio technology joins Dolby Vision as part of Apple TV's immersive F1 experience...
08/10/2026
David France, Jesse Short Bull, Mato Wayuhi, N. Bird Runningwater, Jodi Archambau, Jhane Myers, Paul McGuire, Amber Morning Star Byars, Holly Macarro, Nick Tils...
08/10/2026
Dynamic panning plug-ins get an upgrade
Sound Particles have just announced major updates for two of their popular dynamic panning plug-ins. Energy Panner 2...
08/10/2026
New expandable instrument boasts full DMNO engine
UDO Audio have just announced the upcoming release of a new, expandable synth that packs the power of the ...
08/10/2026
Two new subwoofers added to monitoring line-up
ADAM Audio's monitoring range has just been expanded with two new DSP-equipped subwoofers, the Sub8 PRO a...
08/10/2026
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({ content_source:......
08/10/2026
Calrec gives broadcasters freedom of choice at NAB Show New York We're looking forward to meeting up with you all at NAB New York on 21st-22nd October.
Cal...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Globecast, a leading provider of broadcast, media and entertainment managed services, will showcase its next generation of media orchestration services at NAB S...
08/10/2026
Clear-Com played a critical role in the production communications infrastructure for Rock in Rio 2026, one of the world's largest and most recognized music...
08/10/2026
Sohonet Launches ClearView Rush: A Leap Forward in Studio Review, Built for Crea...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Ikegami announces a major expansion to its range of broadcast-quality live production cameras. Scheduled for introduction on Ikegami booth 708 at NAB New York, ...
08/10/2026
Calrec will be located at Booth 444.
Freedom to choose
The media landscape is evolving quickly, and the broadcasters best placed for what comes next will be...
08/10/2026
LiveU has announced that CRD Audiovisuel relied on LiveUs LU900Q intelligent production unit, with built-in native LiveU IQ (LIQ ) connectivity, to deliver live...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
University of North Carolina Greensboro's Faculty and Students Are All Ears for Sony's MAS-A100 Beamforming Mic 
