Sennheiser Spectera
In the fast-evolving landscape of professional audio, Sennheiser continues to attempt to set groundbreaking standards, this time with the launch of Spectera — the world’s first bidirectional digital wireless ecosystem for microphones and monitoring. Designed to address audio engineers’ complex challenges in live performance and studio environments, the Sennheiser Spectera combines new-age technology with practical solutions to simplify audio setups, enhance transmission reliability, and improve workflow efficiency. In our interview with Vipin Pungalia, Country Manager & Director – Sales Pro Audio at Sennheiser India, we explore how Spectera’s innovative use of wideband RF channels and bidirectional communication is poised to transform large-scale productions. From reducing interference to accommodating extensive multi-channel setups in a compact unit, Spectera represents a new era for wireless audio, rooted in Sennheiser’s rich legacy of innovation. In this insightful interview, Vipin Pungalia explains everything you need to know about the Sennheiser Spectera.
Vipin: The Spectera ecosystem addresses key challenges faced by audio engineers in multichannel live audio and (broadcast) studio environments by simplifying audio set-ups considerably, giving the operator full control of the audio system, greatly improving transmission reliability, and reducing the footprint of wireless audio systems massively.
Where with traditional narrowband systems, IEMs and microphones need to be operated in separate TV channels with a guard band in between, Sennheiser Spectera has bidirectional audio links and bidirectional control data in the same RF channel. Operators have full control and can select latency, channel count and range via various Audio Link Modes.
Furthermore, Spectera can accommodate up to 32 inputs and 32 outputs in a single 1U rack-mount device. The time and space you save during set-up and teardown, and in the warehouse and during transit, are enormous. Where you currently need two bodypacks with narrowband systems, Spectera will just require one.
Additionally, RF fading and interference, common issues that can cause audio dropouts, are mitigated by Spectera’s use of a wideband RF channel, enhancing diversity up to 40-fold for an 8 MHz channel. This minimizes the risk of signal loss, ensuring more reliable performance, which is crucial in any live audio environment like concerts and broadcasts.
Mind you, there will always be a need for narrowband systems, too, for example with smaller audio set-ups.
Vipin: Spectera leverages a single wideband RF channel, either 6 or 8 MHz depending on local regulations, to transmit bidirectional audio and control data. This contrasts with traditional systems that rely on multiple unidirectional narrowband carrier frequencies of 200 kHz bandwidth. When a source of interference hits this narrowband channel or when RF fading occurs, the microphone or in-ear will be disturbed. As Spectera uses the entire wideband channel of 8 or 6 MHz, it can perfectly work around this source of interference.
With regard to spectral efficiency, we’ve already seen that IEMs and mics can simply be put in the same TV channel, which makes workflow a lot easier. Also, the operator can freely use the wideband RF channel, and decide whether more links are needed, whether latency should be lowest, or whether range needs to be highest because of a special show element. These factors influence each other, and can easily be adapted to the local situation.
Also, all components within the Sennheiser Spectera ecosystem permanently sense the spectrum. For the first time, it is possible to see what is happening on your own transmission frequency and take informed action when interference occurs.
Vipin: The new workflow becomes apparent when you no longer need to calculate complex frequency charts, or cable up a tower of rack-mount mic receivers and in-ear transmitters. With Spectera, you choose a centre frequency, and the system will organise its audio links in the RF channel.
Spectera enables professionals to control and monitor audio settings, RF health, and battery status remotely via a continuous data stream. This simplifies adjustments during performances or broadcasts without the need for direct physical interaction with the mobile equipment. Also, engineers can constantly monitor the RF environment and detect interference before it becomes problematic.
At large festivals, there’s another advantage that Spectera can play out: While the transmitted power adds up with narrowband systems, Sennheiser Spectera has a low spectral density. This makes it easier to reuse frequencies, also between neighbouring theatres, or in a broadcasting complex.
And the ecosystem will definitely make a difference when it comes to touring productions. As said, you have 32 inputs and 32 outputs in a 1U, 19” unit – this means you could carry your multi-channel system in a trolley if needed – and not in several flight cases.
Vipin: Just as Sennheiser’s first wireless microphone system in 1957 represented a transformative leap from wired to wireless audio, Spectera signifies a major evolution from single-direction narrowband systems to bidirectional wideband transmission. This transition underscores Sennheiser’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible, focusing on advancements such as bidirectional communication, remote control capabilities, and spectrum sensing.
The Spectera ecosystem reflects the company’s dedication to staying at the forefront of technological innovation, much like it did with its initial wireless breakthroughs. Spectera introduces a level of modularity that allows the ecosystem to be updated and expanded, ensuring its relevance and adaptability to future industry demands.
Spectera stands out as a monumental development in Sennheiser’s illustrious history, addressing modern challenges with completely new technology. Sennheiser Spectera sets a new standard for professional audio set-ups in both live and studio environments, continuing Sennheiser’s tradition of transforming the landscape of wireless audio.