Assuming I’m one of the first people you’ll hear this from, I’ll start from the beginning. Biamp now sells ceiling microphones. In response to customer requests for a more complete audio solution, we’ve added two Biamp-branded microphones to our product line: the CM1-6W and CM1-6WS. If you’re here at InfoComm 2013 in Orlando, stop by our booth, number 1333, and see the mics first-hand in our fully-functional conference room.

The Why of Biamp Ceiling Mics
A number of DSP manufacturers in the conferencing space sell microphones too. But in many cases, the microphones they offer are conveniences, not quality additions to quality systems. What we’ve seen are sub par processing systems that win bids because the ceiling mics are thrown in to sweeten the deal. End users are essentially getting sacrificed systems–from the DSP to the acoustics to the long-term future-proofing–for a business logistics benefit, not a systems benefit.

As advocates for quality audio, it hurts us to know that there’s bad audio out there degrading the conferencing experience for a short-term business reason. Now that we sell microphones, we can offer our integrator partners and end users a more complete, quality audio solution.

Manufactured by Audix, the CM1-6W and CM1-6WS are 6-inch miniaturized, gooseneck condenser microphones with fully integrated preamps designed with very high sensitivity for distance pickup. They are available with a cardioid or supercardioid capsule. Additional information about the microphones can be found on our website.

The Benefits of Biamp Ceiling Mics
In addition to a single point of ordering for your DSPs and ceiling microphones, our mics were designed specifically with Biamp products in mind. This design compatibility makes installation and wiring that much easier for integrators who have mostly viewed ceiling mics as a pain to be suffered through.

It’s worth noting that the quality and capabilities of ceiling microphones have improved, and when combined with the power of our DSP algorithms such as automatic gain control (AGC), ambient noise compensation (ANC), and acoustic echo cancellation (AEC), ceiling and HVAC noises can be effectively eliminated as impediments to quality audio.

Yes, having the talker closer to the mic is typically preferred, but table mics aren’t always the right solution for end users. Also, we all react differently when a microphone is in front of us: some people speak too loudly, some too softly, and others are so intimidated that they don’t speak at all. Ceiling mics are out of sight (literally, but in the cool way too), so from an architectural standpoint and creature comfort point of view, ceiling mics often provide a better solution to acoustic challenges.

Another benefit offered by Biamp’s ceiling microphones, is that you now have processing and acoustics all wrapped up into the support promise you’ve come to expect from us. The warranty carried on the CM1-6W and CM1-6WS mics is the 3-year Audix warranty that Biamp will be managing. So, when you need support for our ceiling mics, we’ve got you covered.

It’s About the Quantity of Quality
We hold all our products to a high standard of performance and the same goes for our partners. Audix is a bona fide, proven, high quality microphone manufacturing company that we’re very excited to work with. We actually have their microphones installed in all our conference rooms, so we’ve tested the quality ourselves.

With the addition of ceiling microphones to our product offerings, Biamp has enabled its integrator partners to be even more competitive in their marketplace. End users will not only receive all the business benefits of purchasing DSPs and microphones from the same vendor, but they will no longer be sacrificing the quality of their audio systems, or compromising on the quality of the mics.

As we continue our work to give integrators and end users more and better options for their audio systems, we’re also looking forward to providing more dedicated support for integrated technology that can be brought about through key partnerships. Here’s to the future.