Sennheiser AMBEO VR - 3D Virtual Reality Microphone

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Isn't it time that virtual reality (VR) audio matched the immersive, three-dimensional quality of virtual reality video? Enter Sennheiser's AMBEO VR Mic, the new standard in 3D audio capture that takes VR audio production to a new, professional level. With the AMBEO VR Mic you are able to seamlessly record sound that captivates the listener and creates a highly emotional experience for them.

The easy-to-use AMBEO VR Mic is an ambisonic microphone fitted with four matched KE 14 capsules in a tetrahedral arrangement. This special design allows you to capture the sound that surrounds you from a single point. As a result, you get fully-spherical, 360 degree sound to match your VR video content.

The elegantly designed AMBEO VR Mic was developed in cooperation with VR content producers and fine-tuned through an extensive creators' program with participants from across the audio and VR communities. Through this program, Senneheiser was able to develop a comprehensive product package that includes many well-conceived accessories, including the A-B encoder software that works as a plug-in which can be seamlessly embedded in the post-production work flow.

The AMBEO VR Mic works with ambisonics, a multi-channel technique that lets you spherically capture the sound arriving from all directions, at a single point in space. For playback, this representation is rendered binaurally, allowing you to virtually rotate the orientation of the perspective in all directions, horizontally and vertically. Ambisonics is also supported by all of the major post-production and playback tools on the market today. This makes ambisonics the appropriate tool for Virtual Reality and all other applications involving 3D sound and interactively controlled audio.

Use the AMBEO VR Mic for the following applications:

• Cinematic VR
• Capture of live action (as seen in traditional film)
• Livestreamed VR Content
• Livestreamed content, particularly for sports or current events
• Audio capture for VR games and other interactive VR content

The AMBEO VR Mic package comes with the following:

• AMBEO VR Mic
• Balanced split cable with (4) 3-Pin XLRs
• Rycote INV 7 suspension mount
• Foam windshield
• Bundled software:
  • Available as download from Sennheiser homepage
  • Free access to A-B format Converter (for use in post production) with the purchase of the VR Mic
  • The converter will come as a VST plugin for seamless integration into existing VR creation workflows
  • The plugin can correct the microphone's physical positioning and rotate its direction
  • Different output standards (including YouTube 360 video) can be chosen
  • A to B format encoder included: VST, AAX, AU and stand-alone versions (for Mac and Windows)

Sennheiser AMBEO VR Mic - Features:

• Single-point microphone for Virtual Reality content
• Four matched capsules in a tetrahedral cluster
• Captures spherical, fully spatial audio in ambisonics format
• Pairs well with 360/VR video capture
• Portable and rugged for various recording conditions
• A to B format encoder

• Transducer Principle: Externally polarized condenser microphone
• Pick-Up Pattern: 4x cardioid, in Ambisonics A-format arrangement:
  • 1: front-left-up [FLU]
  • 2: front-right-down [FRD]
  • 3: back-left-down [BLD]
  • 4: back-right-up [BRU])
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
• Matrix Reference: Center of the capsule holder
• Mixing to B-Format:
  • W = FLU + FRD + BLD + BRU
  • X = FLU + FRD - BLD - BRU
  • Y = FLU - FRD + BLD - BRU
  • Z = FLU - FRD - BLD + BRU
• Sensitivity, Free Field, No Load (1kHz): 31 mV/Pa (-30 dBV)
• Nominal Impedance: approx. 200 Ω
• Min. Terminating Impedance: 1000 Ω
• Equivalent Noise Level: 18 dB-A as per IEC 61672-1 / 27 dB CCIR as per CCIR 468-3
• Max. Sound Pressure Level, for K = 1%: 130 dB(A) for 1 kHz
• Power Supply: 4x phantom powering (P48) as per IEC 61938 (48 ± 4 V), 2.2 mA each
• Microphone Connector: DIN12M, use enclosed adapter cable to convert to 4x XLR3M
• Polarity: Pin 1 (GND), Pin 2 (+), Pin3 (-)
• Temperature:
  • Operating: 14° to 131° F | -10° to 55° C
  • Storage: -4° to 15° F | -20° to 70° C
• Relative Humidity: Max 90% at 104° F | 40° C
• Dimensions (L x D): 215 x 49/25 mm
• Weight: 14.1 oz | 400 g