Audio-Technica manual UniPoint Line

®

REVIEW John McJunkin

Audio-Technica

UniPoint® Line

New improvements to a solid and reliable line of microphones.

When it comes to computer software, we have come to ex- pect occasional updates. Version 1 is great, then version 2 comes out with enhancements and new features. But with hardware, this type of update is not automatic. Sometimes a manufacturer will introduce a “Mark II” product, but the wholesale improvement of an entire product line is a rare event. Audio-Technica has accomplished exactly that with its UniPoint®line. There are fi ve primary enhancements to the line, some more earth-shattering than others, but all result in signifi cantly better products all around. Let’s see what they’ve done.

The proliferation of computers, BlackBerries, cell phones, Bluetooth, and other technology in boardrooms and meeting spaces have given us more RF than ever be- fore. A-T’s solution is UniGuard, a complete redesign of how UniPoint products are shielded from RF. In my estimation, this is among the more important improvements.

The second major enhancement is the introduction of interchangeable elements to boost quality and help reject feedback when it’s a problem. There are capsules for om- nidirectional, cardioid, and hypercardioid patterns, and the

new UniLineTM pattern (more on that in a moment).

The third enhancement is UniSteep®, a high-quality 80Hz low-cut filter to reduce rumble and other low-frequency ambience in a natural way. These are indeed effective and steep fi lters (18dB/octave, to be exact).

The fourth innovation is UniLine, a new line-cardioid ele- ment with a tight pattern. Think line array in a microphone. These mini-shotguns have a super-tight pattern, which is occasionally necessary. I love these mics!

The fi fth and fi nal enhancement is PivotPointTM, a rotat- ing connector on the line’s boundary mics, enabling simpli- fied mic integration. Not only does mic integration take more time, but if a contractor or integrator breaks open the box to move the wiring and make an install aesthetically pleasing, it can severely compromise the shielding. Audio-Technica’s engineers signifi cantly improved the RF shielding of these microphones, and PivotPoint was born to both aesthetic and practical parents. The mic can be easily installed in an attractive way, while avoiding the shield-compromising problems associated with opening up the box—an enhance- ment I found particularly clever.