Sep 11, 2007 2:36 PM

UK microphone company SoundField is introducing two new products IBC2007 in Amsterdam: the DSF-1, a surround-capable digital microphone system, and the DSF-3, a digital surround processor for the DSF-2 and the new DSF-1.

SoundField DSF-3 Processor

The DSF-3 is a 1U, 19-inch rackmount hardware processor with an all-digital signal path that allows decoding of SoundField microphone or B-format signals to digital 5.1 surround or stereo audio (or both simultaneously) at any sample rate. Five-segment LED displays on the left side of the front panel act as input level meters. The front panel has separate output level controls for each of the six channels in the 5.1 signal (L/R/C/Ls/Rs and the LFE sub-bass channel) with separate green signal-present and red clip LEDs, and rotary switches and buttons allow users to alter the microphone's virtual pickup pattern and orientation. The perceived front and rear width of the 5.1 pickup pattern may be continuously altered with two more rotary controls, and a Focus control allows the user to vary localization characteristics. The entire 5.1 sound field can be rotated through 360 degrees by means of a rotary encoder with a live front-panel readout in degrees. This last control also affects the independent stereo sound field, for which separate front-panel controls are offered to adjust the stereo polar patterns and perceived stereo width.

Separate rear-panel outputs are provided for each of the five main channels and the sub-bass channel in AES3 format on 75Ω BNC connectors; the B-format inputs to the decoder are on the same connectors. An additional rear-panel BNC provides the separate left/right stereo output, which can also be used for M/S signals. The six surround channels and the independent stereo channels are simultaneously sent out via a single digital ADAT Lightpipe connector. Word clock inputs and outputs, and a USB port for software upgrades, complete the rear panel.

SoundField DSF-1 Digital Microphone System

The DFS-1 system comprises a SoundField microphone and hardware digital control unit. Output signals are all 110Ω AES/EBU on XLRs. In addition to 48/96/192kHz sample rates, the DSF-1 can also handle 44.1, 88.2 and 176.4kHz. Both word clock input and output are provided. The DSF-1 also offers the ability to change the pickup pattern; output the results in mono, stereo, M/S or surround sound; and to rotate and invert the mic without physically handling it.

For more information, visit www.soundfield.com.

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