Getting acquire ranges set when recording can take expertise. You need issues loud sufficient however not so loud that issues begin clipping when the amount will get louder. Now there’s a microphone that may modify acquire ranges on the fly primarily based on how far-off an individual is from it.
Utilizing Lewitt Audio’s new sensor-based expertise known as Aura, the Ray microphone can dynamically adapt ranges in line with an individual’s distance from the microphone. Lewitt describes it as being like autofocus for the voice.
On the coronary heart of the Ray microphone are two new progressive applied sciences known as Aura and Mute by Distance. With these two options, the Ray can change how an individual interacts with a microphone.
Skilled singers and actors are taught microphone self-discipline. They know to not transfer round an excessive amount of and to maintain a relentless distance between their mouth and the mic. The remainder of us aren’t taught these items and a few individuals do get animated with singing or talking throughout a podcast. That’s the place Aura expertise is available in.
Lewitt Audio’s Ray microphone overcomes the foremost limitations of standard microphones by guaranteeing a extra constant sound high quality. Normally, when shifting near a mic, a voice will sound louder and extra boomy. This is named the proximity impact. When shifting away, a voice drops off in quantity and begins to sound thinner. With Aura, a sensor-based expertise screens how shut somebody is to the mic after which exactly adjusts the extent and tone relying on the space.
With Aura turned on, there’s no must adapt to the microphone as a result of it does the adapting. The expertise permits an individual to maneuver round extra naturally and deal with their efficiency with out the sound various. Outcomes are unimaginable, particularly when used for podcasts, reside streaming and recording vocals.
With Aura turned off, the Ray turns into a high-end condenser studio microphone with the identical recording high quality as Lewitt’s best-selling LCT 440 PURE mannequin. However Aura works so nicely, it’s nicely price protecting on because it does fluctuate the degrees with out you noticing. I’ve tried it on Zoom calls and voiceovers and it really works!
The opposite progressive function constructed into Ray is one thing known as Mute by Distance. I’ve typically questioned why XLR microphones don’t have a mute button like a USB mic. Just a few dynamic stage mics have switches, however a silent Mute button on an XLR condenser mic can be an important innovation.
That’s precisely what Mute by Distance does. The RAY has a devoted mute button with visible suggestions exhibiting the space at which you want to the microphone to mute. Push the Mute by Distance button and you’ll simply set a particular distance at which Ray will robotically mute/unmute the sign. With the function turned on, you may step away and the audio shall be muted, stopping acoustic bleed or the potential for suggestions. It is a game-changer for reside performances the place you may’t course of background sounds.
LEWITT Audio claims that RAY affords the model’s signature “Document-Prepared” sound. The LEWITT Signature Sound has discovered favor with fairly a couple of artists together with Justin Bieber, The Rolling Stones, Halsey, Put up Malone, Kehlani, Yngwie Malmsteen, or Doja Cat, be that within the studio or on stage. That’s not too shabby a choice of endorsements.
The Ray is constructed round a 1-inch true condenser capsule. The gold-sputtered capsule has a cardioid polar sample that data what’s in entrance of the microphone however rejects sound from behind. With an astonishingly low self-noise of simply 8 dB(A) and the power to deal with sound stress ranges as much as 131 dB SPL, the Ray is a well-natured mic that provides a clear sign however may be very forgiving on the similar time. With AURA turned on, it’s much more forgiving.
Lewitt Audio’s Ray has a 100% analog sign path and is fitted with a gold-plated, 3-pin XLR connector. All of the mic’s progressive options are powered through 48V phantom energy coming from the audio interface or preamp.
Regardless of all of the innovation packed into this condenser mic, the Ray continues to be comparatively compact and appears good on digicam. Ray ships with a wise shock mount and a camera-friendly pop filter that magnetically snaps onto the shock mount. Having a compact pop filter makes it simpler to video a efficiency and doesn’t get in the best way of a script or lyric.
Verdict: By itself, the Lewitt Audio can be a wonderful condenser mic. Nevertheless, what makes this a game-changer is the laser measurement expertise that adjusts the acquire ranges on the fly relying on how shut an individual is to the mic. It makes for a way more constant sound, particularly when working with individuals not educated to make use of microphones correctly. The Mute by Distance is one other game-changer, that means you don’t essentially want to shut a fader. Simply transfer again from the mic and the Mute operate will kick in. Little doubt some veteran sound professionals will scoff on the concept of Aura and Mute by Distance however attempt it and you can be transformed. It’s an important instance of innovation and the newest expertise being utilized to an older kind of apparatus. Extremely Beneficial.
Pricing & Availability: The LEWITT Audio RAY microphone is offered now and prices $349 / £299 / €349.
Tech Specs:
- Kind: Condenser, externally polarized.
- Acoustical working precept: Strain gradient transducer.
- Diaphragm: 3-micron gold-sputtered Mylar.
- Transducer Ø: 25.4 mm, 1-inch.
- Polar sample: Cardioid.
- Frequency vary: 20 – 20,000Hz.
- Sensitivity: 22.6 mV/Pa, -32.9 dBV/Pa.
- Self-noise: 8 dB (A)
- Max SPL: 131 dB SPL
- Sign/noise ratio: 86 dB (A).
- Dynamic vary: 123 dB (A).
- Options: AURA, MUTE by distance, MUTE button, Lock mode
- AURA processing vary: Seamless from 5 to 100 cm.
- MUTE by Distance vary: 15 / 30 / 45 / 60 / 80 cm
- MUTE attenuation worth: -70 dB.
- Provide voltage: 48V ± 4 V
- Present consumption: 7.2 mA.
- Inner impedance: 120Ω.
- Connector: Gold-plated 3-pin XLR.
- Microphone enclosure: Zinc die-cast.
- Microphone dimensions: 138 x 52 x 36mm.
- Microphone internet weight: 330g.