MAS-A100 - Beamforming ceiling microphone with advanced speech reinforcement technology, Dante interface

Beamforming ceiling microphone with advanced speech reinforcement technology, Dante interface

The MAS-A100 beamforming ceiling microphone represents a cutting-edge solution for recording and sound reinforcement. It provides high speech intelligibility thanks to its numerous distinctive technical features, primarily beamforming.

This technology uses an array of microphone capsules arranged within a single enclosure (in this case, a low-profile cylindrical shape), which uses sophisticated digital signal processing techniques to discriminate the direction of sound origin.

Sony's high-performance digital signal processing and its proprietary algorithms then extract speech, suppressing unwanted feedback. These technologies work in conjunction with noise suppression technologies to minimize ambient noise, which is automatically detected and attenuated, enhancing speech intelligibility for listeners.

The MAS-A100, a ceiling microphone designed to operate at a height of approximately 3 meters from the ground, is ready for use once installed and configured using the powerful MASM-1 software, leaving the speaker free to move around the room without being tied to a fixed position.

Compared to traditional solutions that use handheld microphones, this solution frees both hands, allowing the speaker to focus solely on the presentation. Even compared to the traditional lavalier or headband microphone solution, this Sony microphone is a winning solution because it eliminates the need for a sound engineer or boom operator to attach the bodypack to the speaker's belt, thread the cable under the speaker's clothing, position the headband correctly on the speaker's head, and perhaps secure the boom with adhesive tape: all tasks that require time and a second person.

The Sony MAS-A100 is a digital microphone, which means not only does it integrate beamforming technology with Sony's acclaimed intelligent feedback reduction, but also that its audio interface is a Dante with two output channels, one for speech reinforcement and the other for recording — simultaneously.

There's also no separate power connector, as it uses PoE and receives power directly from the Ethernet network.

Another advantage of using the new Sony microphone is its ease of installation and management. Thanks to Dante support, connection to the switch and other system components is via a simple CAT5e / CAT6 network cable. The only precaution is to use dedicated, managed switches.

Management, on the other hand, is done via the free MASM-1 software. This software also allows you to calibrate the microphone by sending specific test signals to the audio system and, once the presenter's range of motion and the size of the audience have been identified, determine how many microphones are needed for optimal results.

User benefits

• Fixed installation on the ceiling, the microphone(s) are virtually invisible
• No restrictions on the presenter's position, hands-free
• Dedicated channels for sound reinforcement and recording
• Beamforming technology and intelligent feedback reduction
• Ambient noise suppression
• Easy installation and management via dedicated software
• Automatic calibration

Areas of use

• Meeting rooms
• University classrooms
• Corporate presentations
• Conferences

Technical characteristics

Audio

• Frequency response: 100 Hz - 10 kHz 
• Sensitivity: 0 dBFS/Pa at 1 kHz 
• Maximum SPL: 94 dB_SPL
• Signal to noise ratio: 75 dB (A-weighted, 1 kHz, 1 Pa) 
• Latency: under 24m s (Nnot including Dante latency)
• Self noise: 19 dB_SPL (A-weighted) 
• Dynamic range: 75 dB 
• Dante digital output:
  • Channel count: 2 channels (main, rec) with Dante. Sampling rate: 48 kHz. Bit depth: 24.
  • Audio interface: Dante, AES67

​​Digital signal processing

• Audio technologies: beamforming, feedback reducer, automatic gain control, noise reduction, noise gate, automatic calibration with test signal, equaliser, API for external control system
• Performance: max. noise reduction 24 dB, max. feedback reduction 32 dB
• Configuration:
  • MIC gain (output volume): -60 dB ~ +12 dB
  • Capture range: narrow / standard / wide
  • Feedback reduction: low / middle / high
  • Noise reduction: low / middle / high
  • Noise gate: off / low / middle / high
  • Equaliser: fixed 5-band, ±12 dB (1 dB step)

Networking

• Cable requirements: Cat5e UTP or higher

Dimensions & weight

• Dimensions: Ø 239 mm x 51 mm
• Weight: approx. 1 kg