Frequently Asked Questions

Ambisonics is an audio format used to encode a 3D sound field using a series of spherical harmonics. Learn more about ambisonics and how it is used in the Voyage Audio Journal article Ambisonics Demystified.

The order is based on the number of spherical harmonics used to reproduce the sound field. The higher the order, the more spherical harmonics and better the spatial resolution of the sound field. Spatial Mic is capable of 2nd Order ambisonics and uses eight capsules to capture the sound field as opposed to four capsules used on 1st order ambisonic microphones.

Learn more about ambisonics and how it is used in the Voyage Audio Journal article Ambisonics Demystified.

Dante audio networking uses standard IP networks to transmit high-quality, uncompressed audio with near-zero latency. It’s the most flexible, reliable, and easy-to-manage audio networking solution available, and provides the lowest cost of ownership by dramatically reducing cabling and labor costs. Dante is the audio networking choice of nearly all professional audio manufacturers, making it the industry standard for digital audio networking.  Learn more at https://www.audinate.com/

Spatial Mic Dante requires Power Over Ethernet (PoE) to operate and is compatible with IEEE 802.3af Class 0 power sourcing equipment. Power over Ethernet is most commonly delivered by a network switch or injector.

A CAT5e (or better) shielded Ethernet cable is required for Spatial Mic Dante. You can also use a Cat5e (or better) shielded Ethernet cable equipped with a Neutrik etherCON locking connector.

Ethernet cables for Dante can be up to 100 meters between nodes but the actual transmission distance may vary depending on the cable quality, termination quality. The minimum of CAT5e shielded cable is suggested but a CAT6 or CAT7 may perform better at longer distances.

If the meters aren’t working on MicNet Control check your firewall settings. Control and monitoring functions of MicNet Control may be blocked by your firewall.

Spatial Mic Dante includes a foam windscreen but for additional protection from wind and the elements we recommend the Rycote 45/100 Windjammer.

Yes, you can record Spatial Mic USB with both iOS and Android devices. When recording with an iPhone you may need the Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter + battery. You will also need a recording app capable of recording 8 tracks of audio such as Auria, Audio Evolution Mobile, or multiTrack DAW.

Android devices with a USB-C jack can connect directly to Spatial Mic with a single USB-C to C cable. You will also need a recording app capable of recording 8 tracks of audio such as Audio Evolution Mobile, USB Audio Pro Recorder, or N-Track.

The built-in audio drivers for macOS, iOS, and Android work great and support multi-channel audio from Spatial Mic USB. We do not provide a custom driver for Windows and we recommend using the free driver from Asio4all.

Spatial Mic USB includes a 10ft USB cable but the maximum recommended USB cable length is 15ft. There are many active USB repeaters which can increase this distance to 50ft or greater as well as USB to Ethernet extenders that can go over 300ft.

Lightpipe cables for the ADAT output can vary greatly in quality but we have successfully tested up to 50ft. There are also ADAT extenders that can go up to 500ft.

Spatial Mic USB includes a foam windscreen but for additional protection from wind and the elements we recommend the Rycote 45/100 Windjammer.

Spatial Mic must be selected as the master clock source when recording with the ADAT lightpipe outputs. The maximum sample rate and bit depth when using ADAT is 48 kHz / 24 bit.

Spatial Mic and the Spatial Mic Converter (AAX) plugin work with Pro Tools Studio and Pro Tools Ultimate. These versions of Pro Tools enable the ambisonic tracks required for the plugin and the capability to mix surround and spatial sound—including Dolby Atmos. 

We do not offer an AU version of the Spatial Mic Converter plugin at this time. As support for Ambisonics in Logic Pro improves we will work to add an AU version of the plugin.

Figure 8: Traditional Omni → Cardioid → Figure 8 microphone patterns

Basic: Virtual mic patterns capable of second order cardioid (pattern = 2)

Max rE: Maximizes energy concentration vector (rE) by focusing energy signals in the direction of interest

In-Phase: Full side-lobe suppression with no out-of-phase components

Max rE and In-Phase terminology is from ambisonic literature on physical decoding. We decided to keep it consistent with what’s been out there for decades. More information about the plugin can be found in this journal article.