Microphone manufacturer SoundField, based in the UK, unveiled a new version of its SPS200 compact microphone at this weekend’s AES show in New York. The SPS200 Zephyx Kit includes a specially manufactured version of the company's existing SPS200 microphone with a shorter body, known as the SPS200-SB (Short Body), which comes as standard fitted into the supplied Zephyx suspension mount.
Like other SoundField microphones, the SPS200 is a multicapsule mic, capable of capturing audio in three dimensions and outputting audio in a variety of formats if required, including mono, stereo, M&S and phase-coherent 5.1. The SPS200 is the smallest, lightest and most affordable microphone in the SoundField range and, unlike the company’s other mics, it does not ship with a separate hardware decoder. Instead, users determine the output audio format in post production using a cross-platform computer plug-in, Surround Zone, which is available for VST and TDM-compatible digital audio workstations.
Given its size and weight, the SPS200-SB is ideally suited to capturing both stereo and surround audio on location. With this use in mind, the new SPS200 Zephyx Kit includes a Zephyx mount and windshield system to house the SPS200-SB mic, made up of a unique lightweight “floating cage” assembly, which mechanically decouples the microphone from the supporting boom pole or stand, and virtually eliminates vibration or handling noise. To further improve mechanical isolation, the SPS200-SB is fitted with an 11in “flying lead” that acts as an anti-vibration cable inside the Zephyx floating cage. Also supplied with the kit is a 16.5ft microphone cable terminating in four male XLRs, and a Zephyx “hat box” style carry case.