Blackmagic Design Unveils Ambisonic Microphone
Blackmagic Design unveiled its latest innovation: the Ambisonic Microphone. This pioneering device allows production crews to capture omnidirectional sound directly onto an iPhone via USB-C connection, utilizing the Blackmagic Camera app for recording.
According to the official U.S. product listing, the anticipated release is slated for December 2026.
While the iPhone is one of three recording mediums, crews can also connect the microphone to the Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive camera or a computer operating Fairlight Live.
This versatility is crucial for projects designed for Apple Vision Pro, allowing sound to be recorded in tandem with visual footage or captured separately for later integration into the edit. Image Credit: Blackmagic Design
The Microphone’s Captivating Sound Capture
The Blackmagic Ambisonic Microphone features an impressive array of 108 miniature digital microphone capsules, strategically arranged in a spherical formation.
This configuration enables the collection of sound from multiple directions simultaneously. Blackmagic has disclosed that it procured the array geometry and ambisonic encoding filters from Apple, with the engineering of the hardware being an in-house endeavor.
Ambisonics illustrates sound as a dynamic field surrounding the recording position. For instance, in a performance captured near a stage, this sound field may include the performer positioned at the forefront, audience members behind, and reverberations from the surrounding venue.
This format retains essential directional information that production teams can leverage when refining the audio mix for various playback systems.
Internally, the microphone transmits capsule signals encoded into 64 channels of 32-bit, seventh-order ambisonic audio.
A singular USB-C cable facilitates both power supply and audio transmission between the microphone and the recording apparatus.
This design element is particularly beneficial for crews operating away from the primary camera setup, minimizing equipment burdens at the recording site.
Versatile Sound Capture for Editing
The iPhone serves as an efficient recorder for separate sound passes. Consider a crew documenting a performance in a theater: after filming with the primary camera, they can position the microphone array to capture the audience’s auditory perspective and utilize the iPhone to document the acoustics of the venue.
The microphone’s positioning is critical, as recordings obtained from the center of the audience yield different sound properties than those captured from the wings.
Blackmagic states that crews can directly utilize their iPhone with the Blackmagic Camera app to record. However, product documentation does not clarify which iPhone models or app versions are compatible with this microphone.
It is advisable for any production relying on the iPhone as a recording device to verify these specifications before commencing shooting.
When capturing audio independently from the visual content, it is imperative to note the orientation of the microphone.
Blackmagic’s immersive workflow guide for DaVinci Resolve recommends synchronizing the microphone’s direction with the camera’s line of sight and documenting its orientation in metadata or production notes.
In the theatrical scenario, such notations would inform editors about the microphone’s focus towards the stage.
This detail is particularly useful if the microphone is repositioned between takes or if post-production professionals unfamiliar with the set are curating the mix.
Alternative recording configurations accommodate diverse project specifications. When linked to the URSA Cine Immersive, the camera captures spatial audio in tandem with immersive visuals—vital for synchronizing sound with on-screen action during live performances.
Conversely, in a computer-centric arrangement, Blackmagic indicates that Fairlight Live is capable of real-time recording and mixing of the microphone’s audio signal.
The choice of connection hinges on whether the crew requires a dedicated sound pass, synchronized audio with video, or an immediate mix.
Pricing Details and Availability in December
The announced retail price is set at $1,695, exclusive of local customs duties and tax implications. On its U.S. product page, Blackmagic offers a comprehensive package for $1,909, which includes the microphone and its corresponding mount.
An upgraded package, priced at $2,405, adds a windshield for outdoor usage and a secure USB-C cable.
Blackmagic has positioned the availability of both packages for December 2026, with stated U.S. prices accounting for duties while excluding sales tax and shipping charges.
Additionally, Blackmagic provides a downloadable seventh-order ambisonic recording on the product webpage, accompanied by playback instructions for QuickTime Player.
This resource offers editors a preliminary sample they can access ahead of the hardware’s release. For productions focused on Vision Pro, a critical consideration is determining the optimal listening position for the recording.
Once established, the crew can deliberate on capturing sound either with the immersive camera or by relocating the iPhone to the specific audio recording locale.
Source link: Applemagazine.com.
