Amsterdam, September 16, 2017 – At IBC, audio specialist Sennheiser is previewing the FOCUSMIC Digital, a rugged mini-shotgun microphone for high-quality videography with the iPhone. Designed with a proven Sennheiser capsule and Apogee PureDigital pre-amp and A/D converter, the FOCUSMIC Digital plugs directly into the Lightning port of the iPhone and delivers high-quality, focused audio from the direction of filming. The new mic attaches to the smartphone via a rugged metal grip that can accommodate a variety of iPhone models (from SE and X to 8 plus) and case designs, and also allows the mic to rotate through 270°, including a selfie position and a transport position. The FOCUSMIC Digital will be available from Q2 2018.
The FOCUSMIC Digital is an ideal choice for any mobile journalism task from interviews to commentary and for general filming work and content creation. “As its name suggests, the FOCUSMIC Digital will bring directional high-quality sound to your iPhone videos,” explained Dela Bahlke, product manager at Sennheiser. “Whether you’re using the mic for private or professional video applications – it will break the sound limits imposed by the phone’s built-in mic and preamp.”
“Like other products co-developed by Sennheiser and Apogee – ClipMic digital, MKE 2 digital, MK 4 digital, and the AMBEO Smart Headset – FOCUSMIC Digital benefits from the expertise of two leaders in audio recording technology to deliver a transformative solution that provides professional sound quality and ease of use in an industry-standard form factor,” commented Sean McArthur, Apogee’s Director of Marketing. “We know mobile videographers from the enthusiast to the professional will love working with FOCUSMIC Digital.”
The FOCUSMIC Digital will ensure convenient iPhone videography
Enhanced and focused audio
“Smartphones face a substantial audio challenge: their built-in microphones and microphone pre-amps are designed for phone calls, not for video sound,” said Dela Bahlke. “Therefore, content creators who want to deliver quality videos to their audiences need to employ an external microphone and a dedicated preamp.” The FOCUSMIC Digital uses a tried-and tested Sennheiser camera microphone capsule, and features a high-quality Apogee in-line A/D converter and mic pre-amp to capture impeccable audio. The new mic effectively rejects side noise, enabling focused sound capture even in loud environments.
App control for setting the gain and useful filters
To perfectly adapt the microphone to close and distant sound sources, its sensitivity or gain can be conveniently adjusted via apps such as Apogee’s free Maestro and MetaRecorder applications. These apps also allow to set various DSP filters that enhance the audio recording still further, such as a rumble filter, a hiss reducer or an overload protection function (gain control). These settings can also be retained should the user then opt to film or record with an app that does not offer such extensive configuration options.
Rugged enough to go anywhere
As a rugged partner to the iPhone, the FOCUSMIC Digital features an all-metal microphone casing and a sturdy metal grip. The grip is fitted with a standard ¼” (20 UNC) thread to attach to camera accessories such as tripods, table stands and handles.
The FOCUSMIC Digital will provide focused audio from the filming direction and conveniently swivel through 270° – from transport position to POV position and “selfie” mode
The FOCUSMIC Digital is supplied complete with a foam windshield. No batteries are needed as the microphone is powered directly by the smartphone.
The estimated availability of the FOCUSMIC Digital is Q2 2018.
Preliminary technical data
- Transducer principle: permanently polarised condenser microphone
- Pick-up pattern: super-cardioid/lobar
- Connector: Apple Lightning connector
- DSP filters and functions: rumble filter, hiss reducer, overload protection function
About Apogee
Founded in 1985, Apogee Electronics designs and manufacturers award-winning audio recording solutions that are easy to use and sound amazing. Apogee products like Symphony I/O, Ensemble, Quartet, Duet, ONE, JAM and MiC have been instrumental in creating countless GRAMMY® and OSCAR® winning recordings by the world’s most successful music artists. For more information, please visit www.apogeedigital.com.
About Sennheiser
Sennheiser is shaping the future of audio – a vision built on more than 70 years of innovation culture, which is deeply rooted within the family-owned company. Founded in 1945, Sennheiser is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of headphones, microphones and wireless transmission systems. With 20 sales subsidiaries and long-established trading partners, the company is active in more than 50 countries and operates its own production facilities in Germany, Ireland and the USA. Sennheiser has around 2,800 employees around the world that share a passion for audio excellence. Since 2013, Sennheiser has been managed by Daniel Sennheiser and Dr. Andreas Sennheiser, the third generation of the family to run the company. In 2016, the Sennheiser Group had sales totalling €658.4 million. www.sennheiser.com
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