Shure launches Axient Digital Wireless System 

Shure has debuted its Axient Digital Wireless System. Axient Digital builds on the benefits of the company’s UHF-R, ULX-D, and Axient wireless systems to create an advanced wireless platform that is designed for all professional production environments. Catering to evolving customer needs—especially in an environment of continued RF spectrum pressure—Axient Digital claims high-performance RF, superior audio quality, command and control, as well as hardware scalability.

Axient Digital features a receiver that is compatible with its two transmitter offerings, the AD Series and ADX Series. Axient Digital with AD Series transmitters deliver a high level of core product benefits, including exceptional RF performance, digital audio, and networking. Axient Digital ADX Series transmitters incorporate ShowLink, which provides real-time control of all transmitter parameters with interference detection and avoidance. The ADX Series also includes the first micro-bodypack with an integrated self-tuning antenna, enabling greater concealment and comfort.

“For years, Shure has been at the forefront of the ongoing spectrum conversation, working alongside professional wireless users to deliver first-class solutions that support seamless, interference-free productions,” said Nick Wood, Category Director for Wireless Products at Shure.

“Given the increasing challenges of RF spectrum, it’s more essential than ever that users have access to a system that can deliver the critical audio inputs of a production reliably over the air. With unparalleled RF stability and spectral efficiency, Axient Digital offers users the flexibility to work in the available spectrum, whether the number of channels required is great or small.”

As part of its high-performance RF, Axient Digital is designed for maximum signal stability. It features true digital diversity with Quadversity receiver technology, significantly mitigating the potential for signal fades or interference that can cause dropouts. Quadversity mode allows users to place sets of diversity antennas in different zones, or double the number of antennas in a single zone, to improve RF signal-to-noise in challenging environments. High Density mode increases the maximum simultaneous system channel count from 17 to 47 per 6-MHz TV band (from 23 to 63 per 8-MHz TV band), while maintaining exceptional audio quality.

In terms of audio quality, Axient Digital has a 20Hz to 20 kHz range with a flat frequency response and accurate transient response. Axient Digital also boasts wide dynamic range, AES-256 encryption, and an industry leading 2ms latency from the mic transducer to the analog output.

Axient Digital is compatible with Wireless Workbench as well as the ShurePlus Channels App for efficient control and configuration, optimal spectrum management and frequency monitoring. The system’s Dante Cue and Dante Browse features enable high fidelity headphone monitoring of audio output from any Dante-enabled connected device. Additionally, Axient Digital provides networked charging via a suite of smart, high-performance batteries and chargers.

Axient Digital’s wide tuning range of up to 184 MHz for all transmitters and receivers covers an extended range of spectrum and simplifies inventory. Dual and quad receiver options, combined with a common receiver platform supporting AD and ADX transmitters maximise user flexibility and scalability.

Axient Digital is compatible with the Shure Battery Rack Charger (SBRC), which supports up to eight rechargeable batteries in a single, compact rack space. Providing a seamless, tour-ready battery charging and storage solution, the SBRC features an easy-to-read front panel that displays critical battery parameters, including charge status, time-to-full, and battery health indicators. When connected to a network, Shure Wireless Workbench and ShurePlus Channels software provide remote monitoring of the SBRC to track battery status.

The AD Series will be available in late summer 2017, and the ADX Series will be available in early 2018.