NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 2009: The UK microphone manufacturer SoundField is using this year's AES show in New York to introduce a new version of its SPS200 compact microphone. The SPS200 Zephyx Kit, which is being launched at the show, includes a specially manufactured version of SoundField'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 multi-capsule 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 other SoundField 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 eleven-inch 'flying lead' that acts as an anti-vibration cable inside the Zephyx floating cage. Also supplied as standard with the kit is a 16.5-foot microphone cable terminating in four male XLRs, and a Zephyx 'hat box' style carry case.

Brad Lunde, president of TransAudio Group, explained the thinking behind the new SPS200 kit, "The larger microphones in our digital and analogue systems are supplied with Rycote windshields as standard. However, the fact that the SPS200 Zephyx Kit is so small and lightweight makes it ideal for film and location work."

Other new products on display at SoundField's stand at AES 2009 will be the SMP200, a four-channel gain-matched mic preamp designed for use with the SPS200, and the UPM-1, the company's stereo-to 5.1 upmix processor, which is designed to offer high-definition broadcasters a simple means of re-formatting archive stereo material for transmission in 5.1 surround.