Audio-Technica has introduced the ES964 boundary array microphone, the latest addition to the brand’s line of Engineered Sound solutions. The simple-to-install table-top ES964 – developed for companies that are concerned about audio quality for small-group online conferences and considering installation or expansion of shared or permanent conference spaces – provides clear audio for multi-person video conference environments, and it serves as an ideal solution for customers whose room cannot accommodate a ceiling/hanging microphone array option. With its low-profile design, the microphone takes up minimal space on a conference table but still provides powerful audio capture and convenient control of two-way calls.

The ES964 employs one omnidirectional capsule and two bidirectional capsules. When combined with an Audio-Technica digital SmartMixer, the ES964 offers directional sound capture via its virtual hypercardioid and cardioid pickups, providing speaker-focused sound capture within a 360-degree radius for clarity difficult to achieve with standard omnidirectional microphones. The ES964 is also compatible with a range of other open architecture DSP’s. Multiple and simultaneous settings can be configured to suit the seating positions of conference participants.

The microphone’s LED ring (programmable with seven different colours) provides immediate indication of the microphone’s mute status (visible in all directions). Three MUTE touch switches located on the array housing allow for quick and intuitive operation of mute/unmute switching. In addition, Touch On/Touch Off, Touch to Talk, Touch to Mute, and Local, Remote, and LED Remote switches are provided on the main unit, allowing users to specify the optimal mute settings for their particular needs.

The ES964 is compatible with 20 to 52 V DC phantom power supplies. Additionally, it features UniGuard proprietary shielding technology that protects the audio signals from radio frequency interference (RFI). Its space-saving design features a small 88 mm (3.5-inch) diameter and 22 mm (0.87-inch) height. It can be fixed to a table with a dedicated jig or with general-purpose screws. It comes standard with two dedicated RJ45 breakout cables necessary for connecting to a mixer.

Note that an Australian ETA and pricing will be announced in 2024.

RØDE Microphones LLC has announced the acquisition of iconic American pro audio leader Mackie. The acquisition represents a new chapter in the evolution of RØDE and establishes The Freedman Group – parent company of RØDE – as one of the most well-rounded pro audio companies in the world, with an enviable catalogue of products spanning a wide range of audio solutions for content creation, home and studio recording, broadcast, and live sound production.

“I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Mackie to The Freedman Group’s roster of iconic audio brands,” says Founder and Chairman Peter Freedman AM. “They are true legends, with a pedigree of live sound expertise that is simply unmatched. Today, RØDE and Mackie are both leaders in audio, and we share the same passion for creating innovative, high-quality products with a strong customer focus. With this acquisition, The Freedman Group is now a premier audio technology company offering world-class products to an even wider range of customers, from up-and-coming content creators to professionals working in live production and everyone in-between.”

Since 1989, Mackie has been a leading designer and manufacturer of pro audio products, including mixers and loudspeakers for home, studio and stage use. An integral player in the home recording revolution in the 1990s, Mackie quickly made a name for itself as a highly innovative brand with a focus on ‘built-like-a-tank’ quality and affordability. Groundbreaking products like the 1602 and D8B mixers and SRM450 loudspeaker were instant classics and, combined with a unique approach to marketing, established Mackie as a go-to brand in the recording and live sound industries – a status they uphold today with leading products like the ProFX series of compact mixers, the Thump series of powered loudspeakers, and the popular CR series of desktop production monitors.

“Mackie is one of the great success stories in pro audio and I have admired them for a long time,” says Mr Freedman. “My background is in live sound production. It’s something I have always been passionate about, ever since I saw Tom Jones at the Chevron Hotel in Sydney as a kid back in ’69 – my father Henry installed the sound system there, as well as many other venues across the city. Live sound is where I cut my teeth in audio, so this very much feels like that part of my career coming full circle.” He continues: “Having met Greg Mackie before I even started RØDE, I found his passion for audio and approach to business inspiring. Their origin story is uncannily similar to ours. Both brands helped fuel the democratisation of DIY recording in their own way, Mackie with their mixers and speakers and RØDE with our microphones. We shared a similar path and today both brands are leaders in what we do, so I am incredibly excited to bring these two audio icons together.”

Speaking about the acquisition, Alex Nelson, CEO of Mackie says, “The entire Mackie team is excited to be joining forces with Peter, Damien and their incredible crew. Having worked in the audio industry for many years, I have always held RØDE in high esteem. Their manufacturing capability and technology leadership is second-to-none in pro audio and I think they are the perfect partner to help Mackie expand as we enter an exciting new chapter in our history. Also, the timing could not be better. We have an incredible product roadmap ahead of us, which we’ll be making some big announcements for leading up to NAMM ’24. This is an extremely exciting time for Mackie, and we couldn’t be happier doing all of this alongside the RØDE team.”

Greg Mackie, founder of Mackie and audio industry legend, shares a similar sentiment, saying, “I can’t think of a better company for Mackie to be associated with than RØDE.”

“RØDE and Mackie are incredibly harmonious brands,” says Freedman Group CEO Damien Wilson. “This acquisition diversifies our product offering in a very complementary way. We now offer end-to-end audio solutions for everyone from musicians setting up a home studio to professional live sound engineers. Whilst Mackie’s brand, manufacturing and operations will remain unchanged, there are incredible opportunities to combine the complementary IP, infrastructure and resources of both brands in powerful ways. I am very excited about the potential this offers RØDE and Mackie.”

Commenting for RØDE Microphones LLC, Joe Hockey says, “This acquisition offers powerful growth opportunities for RØDE and is a significant milestone in their global expansion. It is exciting to see RØDE continue to invest in their future, and I am looking forward seeing the ongoing success of these two legendary brands.”

Paul Beard’s job as musical director of some of the biggest acts in the last 20 years (James Blunt, Robbie Williams and more) has taken him around the globe many times over but when he was browsing in a pawn shop in Arkansas (while on tour with Bryan Ferry) the world seemed to stand still. He spotted an original 1955 Fender Deluxe Tweed and knew the encounter was destiny.

The amp was in good nick, and even better condition after he had it serviced in L.A. by the Rolling Stones’ favoured guitar tech (“do you want to sell this?”, a question Paul’s heard many times since).

Paul Beard now works out of his Aviator Studios in Glebe, Sydney, and the Fender amp continues to turn heads.

Recently, Richard Tognetti (a name synonymous with the Australian Chamber Orchestra) was caught in the amp’s thrall. Paul encouraged Richard to stick his violin through it and he was instantly captivated. But when he rehearsed with the amp, the other strings players were less thrilled by sharing the same acoustic space with the Fender monster.

While on another project, Paul heard a guitarist named Ollie Thorpe rave about UA’s Woodrow, saying he couldn’t tell the difference between the pedal’s output and this muso’s prized ’55 Deluxe Tweed clone.

Paul put two and two together and phoned Richard Tognetti with the good news: ‘you can have the tone of the magic amp without the stage noise’.

Richard Tognetti and his wife, violinist, Satu Vänskä, lead the ACO but also take the ensemble in more avant garde peregrinations via the ACO’s Underground sessions, which are live and more experimental — combining ACO musicians with drums, guitars and other sonic flavours.

The UA Woodrow pedal has now become a key part of Richard’s toolbox.

Paul Beard, has been working with Richard and Satu on recording some of their original work, with the aim to release an album under the moniker of ‘Satu in the Beyond’. 

In the meantime, Paul has assisted with the live Underground sessions. A UA Apollo has also become an important component in the rig, running UA plug-ins along with the Console app helping to create monitor mixes, previously fine-tuned in the studio. “UAD plugins literally changed my life — amazing.”