Scaling up to 20

Audio-Technica has announced the debut of the System 20 PRO, a self-managing, plug-and-play 2.4 GHz digital wireless system that is scalable to 20 channels and has been designed to deliver “dependable, high-quality audio”, regardless of location. Designed for hassle-free deployment, the system is said to overcome the challenges of conventional wireless microphones, such as TV station interference and frequency coordination, complex intermodulation calculations and remote antenna cabling.

Capable of receiving up to four transmitters, the system features the ATW-R1440 which can remain docked in the half-rack chassis or, adding versatility, be mounted remotely (up to 100m away) and connected via Ethernet-standard cabling. Up to five chasses can be linked using included RJ12 cables, creating a stable, multichannel system with the simultaneous use of up to 20 channels. The user can also choose the most effective operation mode for a given situation: standard mode (10 channels) to minimise latency or HD mode (20 channels) to maximise channel count. Audio can be submixed within each receiver for situations with limited mixer input channels. Chassis displays show system ID, RF signal level, transmitter battery level and system link status.

Seamless setup and management are controlled via Audio-Technica’s Wireless Manager software, which is capable of managing multiple UHF, 2.4GHz and DECT wireless systems from a single screen. In addition, AES128 encryption comes standard for security. The transmitters included in each system are paired and ready to use out of the box, and offer all-day operation on a full charge. Each receiver channel can be paired with up to four transmitters, allowing users to instantly switch between different transmitter configurations.

The System 20 PRO transmitters are available in bodypack and handheld microphone configurations for performance and presentation. Both have two antennas built into the transmitters, OLED displays and slide-to-mute switches. The bodypack transmitters are fitted with water- and sweat-resistant cW-style locking four-pin connectors for use with a variety of Audio-Technica microphones.

ATH-M50x

Optional two-bay charging stations can charge the System 20 PRO transmitter’s NiMH batteries while they are housed within a bodypack or handheld transmitter. Up to five charging stations can be linked and powered by a single power supply, while onboard indicator LEDs provide easy monitoring of power and charging status. A networked charging station is also available that allows charging status monitoring through the dedicated Audio-Technica Wireless Manager app or third-party software. Linking-in a single networked station delivers monitoring of all transmitters in linked stations to be monitored via the Ethernet connection.

Sporting a design chosen entirely by its fans, the manufacturer has also announced a limited-edition colour design of its ATH-M50x and ATH-M50xBT2 headphones. After more than a decade of limited-edition colour models of the ATH-M50x, Audio-Technica let fans custom design the 2024 colour. The designs were created through its interactive “LAB M50x” experience website, where fans could choose from a variety of colours for select headphone parts, and the company received over 15,000 submissions. The winning “LAB M50x” design was selected with 3,127 votes from followers on social media. The winning blue, orange and grey headphones were designed by Brazilian DJ Sergio Gamarra.