IBC 2018: Sennheiser unveils new wireless memory mic for smartphones

At IBC 2018, Sennheiser will show the wireless Memory Mic for smartphones – an new solution for mobile journalists. The size and quantity of equipment that journalists and reporters require to create professional quality content has decreased considerably within just a few years. In many instances, the smartphone is now the tool of choice, offering a quick and simple way to capture documentary or commentary. The key drawback is the sound quality of the mobile phone’s built-in microphone – which more often than not, performs poorly and fails to satisfy professional broadcast requirements. Enter the Memory Mic: a small, lightweight wireless microphone that offers broadcast-quality sound and works at any distance from the smartphone. The mic and the accompanying app for Android and Apple are available now.

The Sennheiser Memory Mic is a professional wireless microphone for smartphones

“High sound quality remains an important area for differentiation and a hallmark of quality for video content. Currently, there is no other product on the market that is able to compete with the Memory Mic and offer the same fantastic combination of audio quality, price and mobility,” said Tobias von Allwoerden, Senior Product Manager, Professional Audio at Sennheiser. “The benefits for the mobile journalist include audio pick-up in broadcast quality via the free Sennheiser app, one-touch synchronization of audio and videovia Bluetooth, no issues at all with range, up to four hours of operating time and convenient recharging via USB.”

Ready within seconds
For a report, commentary or documentary, the Memory Mic is simply synchronized with the smartphone app and attached to the clothing via the magnetic clip – and you’re ready to go. The 30g microphone replaces much heavier equipment while still allowing the journalist to deliver excellent audio quality for the job at hand.

The perfect mix
When recording with the Memory Mic, the integrated microphone of the smartphone is also active and works to concurrently pick up ambient sound. Using the dedicated audio mixer of the Memory Mic App, the user is able to select the optimum balance between ambience and the audio captured with the Memory Mic at a later point in time.

Interview situations
As the wireless Memory Mic does not occupy any input on the smartphone, journalists can still employ additional accessories such as a gimbal or connect an additional wired microphone for interviews. For iPhones, Sennheiser offers the HANDMIC Digital or the ClipMic digital, for example. The AMBEO Smart Headset for spatial 3D audio recordings is ideal too, as it is fully compatible sonically with the Memory Mic.

Some tech facts
The Memory Mic features a high-quality Sennheiser condenser capsule with omni-directional pick-up pattern. The omni characteristic is particularly resistant to wind noise and very forgiving if a speaker changes the angle and/or distance at which he or she is talking into the microphone. Via the app, the sensitivity of the microphone can be set at three levels in order to adapt to louder or softer voices. The operating time of the microphone amounts to up to four hours – a full recharge of the integrated lithium-polymer battery via the USB port takes two hours at most. Within an hour, the battery has recharged to about 70% of its full capacity.

The Memory Mic is available now and comes complete with a USB charging cable and a quick guide; the free Sennheiser app is available in the Apple App Store or from Google Play. For outdoor recordings in windy conditions, a windshield will soon be available.

Technical data:

• System requirements: Android version 5.1 or later; iOS version 10.2 or later;               Bluetooth 4.1 or later; WLAN IEEE 802.11 b/g/n
• Transmission frequencies: 2.4 to 2.4835 GHz
• RF output power: ≤ 10 mW
• Max. sound pressure level: 119 dB SPL
• Capsule: prepolarised condenser microphone
• Pick-up pattern: omni-directional
• Frequency response: 100 – 20,000 Hz
• Data stream bit resolution: 48 kHz/16 bit
• Operating time: ≤ 4 h
• Power supply: rechargeable lithium-polymer battery; 3.7 VDC, 360 mAh
• Charging current: 5 V, 500 mA via USB
• Charging time: 70% charge: ≤ 1 h; 100% charge: ≤ 2 h
• Dimensions: approx. 51 x 37 x 16 mm
• Weight: approx. 30 g
• Temperature range: Operation: 0°C to +40°C; Storage: -20°C to +70°C