On the Show Floor, the Microphone Is Still the Place Where Audio Begins

A pro-audio emphasis, spectrum changes, and on-field audio mark the new products and enhancements to existing offerings

Microphones remain the primary point of entry for all sound into broadcast, and the 2026 NAB Show reflected that, with plenty of new products and updates to existing platforms exhibited and discussed.

Audio-Technica introduced MS (mid-side) stereo broadcast microphones and compact on-camera shotgun mics. Audio-Technica, for example, showed off two new MS (mid-side) stereo broadcast microphones - BP350ST-UB universal and BP350ST-UL camera-mount - for professional broadcast, production, and field recording. Both feature a capsule configuration that delivers flexible stereo imaging with clear, well-balanced sound, even at high SPLs. Also introduced at the show were the compact ATV-SG1 and ATV-SG1LE on-camera shotgun microphones designed for use with DSLR, mirrorless SLR, and other cameras.

Sennheiser, for its part, focused on spectrum, specifically on its Spectera suite, which is intended as a viable 1.4 GHz alternative to the congested UHF-TV band. Spectera firmware version v 1.3.0 was introduced at the show. Sennheiser Director, Spectrum and Innovation, Joe Ciaudelli points out that Spectera has been deployed at the Super Bowl, World Series, and Kentucky Derby as well as for national elections and the Academy Awards. This extension makes the Spectera 1.4 GHz even more attractive for users, he says, especially in view of crowded and shrinking UHF resources.

Just as interesting to attendees was Germany-based Sennheiser's ongoing move of its North American operations from Old Lyme, CT, to nearly 5,000 sq. ft. of office and service space in Nashville's newly opened Rock Nashville, where JBL, DiGiCo, and Shure and other pro-audio manufacturers are providing products and expertise for large-scale music-touring and sports events.

According to Sennheiser Technical Applications Engineer Chris Phillips, the top concern for the company and for much of the pro-audio industry is global uncertainty and supply chain pressure: While conditions have improved since the COVID-era shortages, changing market forces still threaten stability, so maintaining dependable product availability remains a priority. The move to a more central U.S. location in Nashville, he notes, is driven by logistics: better access to East Coast customers and closer to key broadcast- and music-industry hubs. At the same time, he adds, Sennheiser's pullback from some consumer segments in the last year reflects a desire to focus on its strongest area: Professional audio.

A Changing Industry

Among fundamental changes in the pro-audio domain, DPA Microphones is being acquired by pro-audio-focused Audiotonix. According to DPA Microphones Regional Sales Manager Nick Mariano, it is a transition but one that will allow DPA and Audiotonix's other brands, which now also include Wisycom and Calrec, to concentrate on markets and technologies that each does best.

That way, they have all unique products and drive innovation, he explains. I think that, unlike maybe some other venture-capital [firms] that would come in and invest in a company and consolidate things, Audiotonix respects the [existing] successful lines and wants them to continue along the path they're on.

Shure DCA901 multi-lobe digital microphone array reflects broadcast sports' pursuit of on-field audio. Shure's latest product, the DCA901 multi-lobe digital microphone array, reflects the company's efforts to support pursuit of broadcast sports' holy grail: more on-field audio. The mic has already become part of the NBA's kit and is moving into those of MLB and other sports as well.

However, Shure Senior Product Specialist Mike Petrocelli notes the importance of addressing spectrum, citing enhancements to the company's SLXD wireless system: SLXD Plus is a new continuation of SLXD. Basically, we took the same architecture and added some enhanced features to it. One of the things that we wanted to do was take a lot of the top-tier features that you see in our Axient system - frequency interference mitigation, the ability for a wireless system to change its own channel, the ability to have some remote-control functionality from your receiver to your transmitter, the ability to have quicker frequency coordination - and add them to the SLXD platform.

That's helping a lot of customers with their workflows primarily, he continues. It's helping with speed and efficiency. It's being able to go into professional wireless with more manpower, with the ability to have more control, with the ability to expand your wireless.

Canada-based Q5X may have done the most to put athlete voices directly on-air with products like the NBA-sanctioned PlayerMic and the planned expansion of two-way coach/player communications in baseball. More innovations are in the pipeline, says Q5X CEO Paul Johnson, noting the upcoming Incognito, a two-piece wireless transmitter system with interchangeable batteries that enable different functions. Instead of buying separate transmitters for different uses, he says, customers can buy one core transmitter and swap battery modules.

The biggest opportunity in broadcast audio, he adds, continues to be capturing richer real-time communication from coaches, officials, and players to create compelling narratives. It's all about the ability to develop intriguing content.

Business-wise, Johnson says the company sees much of its future growth outside the U.S. but not for the reasons one might think: Global sports rights are complicated. While Olympic broadcasters want more athlete-audio access, approval often depends on each individual international sports federation rather than a single governing body. It's far more complicated than multiple sports within a single countr

LINK:	https://www.sportsvideo.org/2026/04/27/on-the-show-floor-the-microphon...
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