Shure redefines audio for professional basketball broadcasts with DCA901

Senior broadcast audio engineer Dave Grundtvig has mixed live sound for some of the most complex sports broadcasts on television. With over 25 years of experience as an A1 and sound designer for professional basketball, golf, soccer and football, his goal is to bring viewers immersive, real-time audio that reflects how the game sounds in the venue.

“My job is to capture subtle sounds in hostile environments,” he says. “Those small moments like the ball hitting the floor or the chatter between players are what make you feel like you are there.”

Capturing live sports audio in an arena is one of the most challenging tasks in broadcast.

Traditional analogue broadcast setups rely on multiple shotgun mics and parabolic microphones, which require extensive cabling, precise placement, and constant adjustments. Any change in audio capture typically means sending someone to move a microphone.

Crowd noise, PA systems, and unpredictable game action often make it difficult to isolate the sounds that matter most.

“Those details that matter most are easily lost when you are dealing with a roaring crowd and constant PA announcements,” Grundtvig adds.

In order to meet these challenges, Grundtvig tested Shure’s DCA901 digital broadcast microphone array for a high-profile professional basketball broadcast.

Two DCA901 arrays, each with multiple steerable lobes, provided complete coverage of the court and sideline areas. The arrays connect with a single network cable and fibre strand, allowing adjustments to be made directly from the truck.

“I deployed two arrays and was completely shocked at the amount of coverage,” he says. “Two DCA901s covered the whole basketball floor. In the past, I would have needed 12 microphones to even attempt the same thing. It was unbelievable.”

Digitally steerable lobes made it possible to focus on specific areas and adjust instantly without interrupting the broadcast.

“With just a few Ethernet cables, a switch, and a single strand of fibre, I can capture the entire venue,” he contnues. “Before, it would have taken multiple runs of copper or fibre boxes. The biggest advantage is being able to change something on the fly through the software instead of calling someone to move equipment physically.”

Producers and announcers noticed the difference in clarity immediately.

“They said it was like hearing the ball go through the net as if you were standing there. It sounded like a crisp apple,” he says.

The arrays also opened up creative mixing possibilities, with lobes assigned to height channels or isolated for immersive audio.

“The DCA901 has opened up mixes and given me the creativity to mix in different ways because they are so much more flexible in their use.”

Beyond basketball

After proving its value on the court, Grundtvig has applied the same approach to golf, soccer and football.

On a golf tee box, a single array picks up swings, impacts and player conversations. In large outdoor venues, lobes isolate play while reducing crowd noise.