TOA AM-1 Real-Time Steering Array Microphone System. Photo by TOA.
We had the unique opportunity to do some “real world” testing of the new TOA AM-1 Array Microphone. Upon first glance, this innovative product appears a bit strange, but this one-of-a-kind design is very well thought out and is aimed squarely at efficient, no-compromise capture of speech sources, video conferencing, public address, and advisory board settings.
The solidly built AM-1 is comprised of a series of eight individual microphone elements configured in what looks like a boundary mic line array. What sets the AM-1 apart from the Gefell KEM 970 ($9,553.50), the only other mic in its class, is that the TOA mic employs advanced digital steering technology that provides an additional level of flexibility the company says was never before available.
A standard XLR connection is used to connect the mic assembly to a control/power unit, with audio output from the control unit made via a standard analog XLR connection or through an AES digital connection (a nice option for integrating with digital equipment).
Crazy engineering magic is implemented in the control unit, allowing the eight mic elements to actually triangulate a sound source and focus a tight pickup pattern around it. This allows for higher gain before feedback across a broader area than traditional mic designs. A really slick iPad app gives the integrator access to advanced setup tools such as defining outer limits of pattern steering width and depth, controlling source tracking speed and sensitivity, gain compensation controls, and more. These advanced settings, which are also available via a browser software using a wired network connection, allow the integrator to further optimize an already great product and tailor it to each individual application.
Testing …
We immediately set up an A/B comparison test in a public address setting. Our church has a few meeting rooms set up with installed speaker systems and Shure Automatic microphone mixers. These medium-sized rooms typically yield adequate sound amplification provided the systems are set up appropriately and presenters are confident in using the provided conventional microphones. These systems, however, yield less than stellar results if the initial setup is not carefully managed or if an inexperienced communicator chooses a less than optimum mic placement. In these cases, the message content is often all but lost to audience members at the back of our 70-foot-square room.
Crazy engineering magic allows the eight mic elements to triangulate a sound source and focus a tight pickup pattern around it.
Todd Elliot
Reviewer.
This is the first testing ground we selected for the TOA AM-1. With a lectern sitting on a small stage at the front of the room (just behind and below the ceiling-mounted trap cabinet PA speakers), we connected two microphones: the TOA AM-1 and an industry standard 12-inch gooseneck lectern mic to the automatic microphone mixer. The AM-1 was placed near the top lip of the lectern while the gooseneck was placed on a stand beside the lectern and the capsule positioned centered about 10 inches above the lectern surface. The thought process was to recreate our standard set up and weigh its performance against the new AM-1.
With a colleague standing an arm’s length away from the lectern and reciting his favorite scripture passages, we individually gained up each microphone in the room to a point just below feedback. Soloing one mic at a time, we assessed qualities of each microphone. Under these ideal conditions, both microphones faired quite well.
While both options filled the room with sound, the gooseneck microphone gave the impression of being slightly louder (probably because in this “ideal” position, the gooseneck mic is actually a bit closer to the presenter’s mouth than the AM-1 sitting on the lectern surface). Both the gooseneck and AM-1 had a pleasant, natural tone, but the gooseneck was more prone to sibilance and popped “P’s” than the AM-1—again, likely due in part to the chosen mic placement.
With this baseline established, we asked our helper to start moving around and away from the lectern while still reciting. Immediately, the differences in the two mic systems became very apparent. The traditional gooseneck mic quickly lost any edge it may have had once the communicator stepped to either side of the lectern and out of the cardioid mic’s front lobe.
Similarly, while backing away from the lectern quickly lowered the effectiveness of the gooseneck mic, the AM-1 seemed to have a “zoom lens” and yielded satisfactory level in the PA at distances up to four to five feet. In this space, our standard gooseneck setup requires presenters to stay within 16 to 24 inches of the mic in order to work effectively. Engaging the Gain Compensation function in the AM-1 set-up software and tweaking the Distance Adjustment Threshold via the iPad app very effectively neutralized the fluctuating system volume caused by the communicator stepping into and away from the lectern. This refinement further pushes this product into the lead when it comes to a “set it and forget it” type of application. Needless to say, the low profile and exceptionally forgiving pickup pattern of this mic system along with the advanced setup options make it a strong candidate for high profile keynote presentations, conference rooms and churches where the presenter uses a podium.
… and more testing
On to the next testing ground: a head table with four panel members set up for a Q&A session. With the AM-1 centered across the back edge of the eight-foot folding table, the four members of the panel were able to respond freely and naturally, uninhibited by any technical concerns. The AM-1’s source tracking feature worked flawlessly and accurately tracked the conversation while automatically adjusting gain to compensate for varying distance from the system. Adjusting the Tracking Range via the iPad app helped the system focus in on the participants at the table and ignore any background sounds in the room. Our previously used conventional approach would have required two to four microphones and either an experienced operator or an automatic mic mixer to yield a similar result to the AM-1. Again, in this application the AM-1 proved to be a very effective and elegant solution.
Although the cost of the AM-1 is substantially more than most conventional microphones chosen for these applications, the increased effectiveness and advanced technology does make it a viable option when considering solutions for applications that historically would require multiple mics or are in particularly challenging acoustic spaces.
This demonstration has actually sparked some interesting conversations regarding a high-end renovation to another of our venues requiring an operationally transparent audio system. We look forward to testing a few design concepts involving the AM-1 inverted and mounted to the eight-foot ceiling. This would, in concept, create a totally transparent microphone integration, allowing presenters to freely move around the front of the room while addressing the space. Employing optimally placed micro line array loudspeaker systems would further improve system gain-before-feedback ratios and promote even coverage across the front of the room.
It is easy to imagine this product gaining popularity in conferencing rooms, corporate settings, and houses of worship. At the very least, it has definitely sparked our interest. We’re excited to see what TOA comes up with next. If the AM-1 is any indication of their trajectory, the future looks bright.
