Meet the 37th Annual TEC Award Finalists: Microphones – Sound Reinforcement
The NAMM TEC Committee is honored to present the 37th Annual TEC Awards on June 4, at The 2022 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California.
The TEC Awards “recognize the individuals, companies, and technical innovations behind sound of recordings, live performances, film, television, video games, and multimedia.” With award categories spanning 28 Technical and Creative Achievement categories, the TEC Awards is considered the highest honor dedicated to the pro audio and sound recording industry.
TEC Awards finalists are identified through a three-step process starting with a “Call for Entries.” After the entry period, a panel comprised of industry leaders and professionals nominated eligible products and project submissions that “represent superior accomplishment in their respective fields.” Professionals in the pro audio, live event, and music industry are invited to vote for the finalists in each category, with one taking home the title of “Product of the Year.” Voting is currently open and will close on March 31, 2022.
The Microphones - Sound Reinforcement category includes products and accessories used in live sound applications.
audio-technica – ES947C/XLR: The water-resistant cardioid condenser boundary microphone with an XLR output features a ”low-profile design that mounts unobtrusively in tabletops, ceilings, or panels for minimum visibility.” It also provides “clear, highly-intelligible audio that is perfect for conferencing, recording, monitoring and other demanding sound pickup applications.” The microphone is protected by an all-metal case with a two-layer perforated grille, and thanks to its cardioid polar pattern, the ES947C/XLR has a 120-degree pickup angle. All of this is combined with a UniGuard® RFI-shielding technology that helps reject radio frequency interference.
DPA Microphones – 4488 CORE Headset: DPA Microphones presents a one-size-fits-all solution to a variety of microphone needs with its 4488 CORE Headset. The headset comes equipped with a three-point grip to ensure comfort for its users, and its frame, boom length, and placement can all be easily adjusted. The 90-degree adjustable cable guide allows for your cables to remain out of sight while the headset frame, boom, and capsule all feature a non-reflective PVD surface.
Heil – PR 37 Microphone: This microphone from Heil is “designed for live sound reinforcement and recording applications with the vocalist in mind.” As the next evolution of the PR 35 and PR 22, the PR 37 “delivers an ultra-clear and transparent sound that brilliantly cuts through any mix.” The rear noise rejection makes it a great fit for live applications, especially in situations with high stage volume. The microphone is housed in a stable mounting system to reduce handling noise and is encased in a rugged metal body to provide durability while not compromising sound quality.
sE Electronics – V7: sE Electronics describes its V7 handheld microphone as “reliable, rugged and roadworthy meets lush, vibrant and musical.” The all-metal design and durable zinc alloy chassis endures under stage stress and the beveled edge prevents the mic from rolling around when set down. The V7 features a gold-plated XLR connector to ensure a “loss-free and reliable signal connection for years to come.”
Sennheiser – MD 445: Sennheiser presents the MD 445, a microphone they describes as “tailored to modern stage set-ups with B stages and runways in front of the PA. The MD 445’s fast transient response ensures a very detailed, nuanced, and transparent sound that is complemented by rich mid-range and bass.” The mic features a metal casing and a shock-mounted capsule to protect it from structure-borne noise, while a hum compensating coil also protects the microphone from electromagnetic interference.
Shure – DuraPlex DL4: The DuraPlex subminiature DL4 lavalier microphone. The DL4 is “consistent, long-lasting, and resistant to dust, dirt, water, and sweat” and offers professional-quality audio perfect for film, broadcast, speech, theater, and performance applications. Shure reports that this microphone is “perfect for everyday situations but excels in the harshest environments such as broadcast audio or sound for film.”
For more information about the TEC Awards, including the entire list of finalists, please visit https://www.tecawards.org/. Voting is now open at http://tecawards.org/vote.