Magic In The Air 50 Years Of Sennheiser Wireless Microphones
WEDEMARK, GERMANY, January 2007: "The story of our wireless microphones has been dictated by the evolving needs of our customers," explained Prof. Dr. Jorg Sennheiser, "and because our wireless products were so quickly embraced by the broadcasting community, their needs play a prominent role in the story." The first Sennheiser transmitter created in 1957(Photo 1), had a short life span because it required a tube and far too many batteries. The follow-up Sennheiser SK 1002 pocket transmitter, introduced in 1958, was considerably smaller thanks to transistors. Around the time of its launch, Sennheiser teamed with Telefunken to create wireless microphones under the brand name "Mikroport," which transmitted on two channels licensed by the German postal authorities.
ON SCREEN
More technological improvements followed. In 1962, Sennheiser introduced the professional-grade SK 1004 and the first wireless microphone for amateurs, "Mikroport Junior," which allowed users to listen to their own wireless transmissions live over a normal UKW radio. In the late 1960s, the SK 1008 (Photo 2), a transmitter with a plug-on microphone head, and the small MKH 124/125, an RF condenser microphone with a frequency response of 20-20,000Hz, were both used on countless TV shows. In the late 1970s, Sennheiser introduced its first modular rack-mount receiver, the EM 1026, which housed up to six receiver modules that featured excellent large-signal response, high interference resistance, and an easy-to-use interface.
PSSST!
Also in the late 1970s, Sennheiser engineered a quantum leap forward in noise reduction technology with HiDyn, a proprietary compander system. The ultra-quiet HiDyn technology found its first use in the SK 1012 transmitter and was roundly lauded by every segment of the broadcasting industry.
FAREWELL LONG ANTENNAS
The 1980s heralded a new era in which UHF broadcasting made wireless audio transmissions dramatically more robust. In 1982 and 1983 Sennheiser developed the SKM 4031 TV handheld transmitter (Photo 3), the SK 2012 TV pocket transmitter, the EM 1036 TV receiver system, and the EK 2012 TV mini receiver. Prof. Dr. Jorg Sennheiser remarked, "the new UHF models were of such high quality and so fail-safe that users felt comfortable leaving their wired microphones in the cabinet. They laid a successful foundation for Sennheiser's wireless microphones for years to come."
AROUND THE WORLD
Excellent RF technology, in combination with tiny clip-on microphones, put Sennheiser wireless equipment on stage in major musicals, such as "Cats" and "Starlight Express." In 1987, Sennheiser engineers developed remote computer monitoring for the EM 1036 - the first of its kind. It allowed sound engineers to control and monitor all-important transmitter and receiver parameters on a single computer.
In 1988, another important step was taken. The SER 20 reporting transmitter was the first Sennheiser product to make use of new PLL synthesizer technology. It allowed Mikroport be used in the UHF frequency band with complete flexibility and meant that large wireless multi-channel microphone systems could be created without interference. In the early 1990s, Sennheiser introduced the wireless classic SKM 5000 (handheld transmitter), the SK 50 and SK 250 (bodypack transmitters) as well as the modular receiver system EM 1046, later renamed the 5000 series. HiDyn plus technology further enhanced noise suppression.
TIMES ARE CHANGING
With its latest generation of wireless products, Sennheiser has proven itself as the leading supplier of technology for ambitious multi-channel projects. Excellent quality and precise frequency planning have allowed the number of Sennheiser microphone channels operating in parallel to reach awe-inspiring levels. On the French national holiday in 2000, for example, 106 microphone channels were on air. Just under thirty years ago, users were delighted to get a third transmission frequency licensed!
EVOLUTION WIRELESS
In 1999, Sennheiser created its most successful wireless range to date. The "Evolution Wireless" series featured three product lines covering users in almost every wireless sector. The products dedicated to the needs of musicians were - and continue to be - especially popular. Miniaturization continued, and in 2001 the SK 5012 bodypack transmitter was introduced (the entirety of which was smaller than the battery pack on 1993's SK 250). In 2002, Sennheiser teamed with studio microphone expert Georg Neumann to create the SKM 5000 N (Photo 4), which combined a Sennheiser transmitter with a Neumann capsule and conquered concert stages around the world. In recent years, the latest generations of evolution wireless and 5000 series products have kept Sennheiser technology several paces ahead of the competition.
AND THE FUTURE?
"Of course it would be great if we could simply enjoy this wireless anniversary and our top new products, like the SKM 5200 handheld transmitter or the SK 5212 bodypack transmitter. But all of our success has been placed in jeopardy by the impending sell-off of UHF spectrum," explained Volker Bartels, Speaker of the Sennheiser Executive Committee. "If a spectrum isn't reserved for wireless microphones, the consequences for the whole entertainment sector will be disastrous. It will spell the end of lavish stage shows, major productions, concert tours, and musicals. Complete freedom of movement on stage - as made possible by wireless microphones and wireless monitoring - will be a thing of the past. But I'm an optimist. I think that everyone involved can reach a sensible solution together, with our pioneering RF technology guaranteeing breathtaking stage shows for the future."
Established in 1945 in Wedemark, Germany, Sennheiser is the acknowledged world leader in microphone technology, RF-wireless and infrared sound transmission, headphone transducer technology, and most recently, in the development of active noise-cancellation. Sennheiser Electronic Corporation is the U.S. wholly-owned subsidiary, with headquarters in Old Lyme, Connecticut.
For more information, please visit www.sennheiserusa.com
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