Blackmagic’s $1,695 Spatial Audio Mic Has 108 Mics and Looks Super Sci-Fi
Blackmagic Design has announced the Ambisonic Microphone, a new professional mic designed to capture spatial audio for immersive video productions.
“The Blackmagic Ambisonic Microphone is a 7th order ambisonic microphone array featuring 108 digital MEMS microphones that capture the entire sound field,” Blackmagic explains. “The MEMS microphones are mounted flush in a solid, faceted metal body, making the design extremely strong for professional use while remaining small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, and be mounted on top of a camera.”
Advanced audio processing technology is built directly into the microphone, and an internal processor runs Apple’s encoding filters, converting the 108 MEMS microphones to seventh-order ambisonics in real time. This means customers don’t need complicated software or a breakout box.
The mic is powered by a single USB-C cable, and it can quickly be mounted to an URSA Cine Immersive camera. Capturing spatial audio is as simple as plugging it in.
As Blackmagic Design explains, its new microphone started development when it was working with Apple on the Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive camera, which was formally announced in June 2024 and billed as “the ultimate camera system for making immersive video for the Apple Vision Pro.”
Filmmakers have used the Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive to capture all sorts of incredible things, including basketball games and rocket launches.
“This microphone started when we were collaborating with Apple on the Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive camera. I heard a high resolution spatial audio capture for the first time and it was like hearing an acoustic reality, I was totally blown away,” says Blackmagic Design CEO Grant Petty.
“Apple licensed their array geometry and the ambisonic encoding filters, we did the engineering and design, and the result is an ambisonic microphone where you just plug in one cable and capture true spatial audio.”
Pricing and Availability
The Blackmagic Ambisonic Microphone will be available next month for $1,695 through Blackmagic Design and its authorized retailers.
Image creditsBlackmagic Design
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