Sony has announced three new wireless microphones that are designed to offer exceptional sound quality, lightweight and unparalleled portability for video content creators. The new models are the ECM-S1, ECM-W3, and ECM-W3S, which are compatible with Sony cameras, smartphones, computers, and other devices.
The ECM-S1 is a wireless streaming microphone that has a compact and lightweight body and is equipped with three 14 mm large-diameter capsules tuned to capture human voices naturally and with high-quality sound. The microphone has three pickup modes: unidirectional, omnidirectional, and stereo. The unidirectional mode functions in a similar way to a cardioid pickup pattern, which is ideal for capturing the speaker’s voice while rejecting background noise. The omnidirectional mode is perfect for ambient recordings, such as nature sounds or live events. The stereo mode allows for capturing interviews, music performances, or location sound elements with crystal clarity and authenticity.
The microphone also has a noise suppression mode and a low-cut filter, which can be activated with a simple switch. The noise suppression mode reduces unwanted noise such as wind or traffic, while the low-cut filter eliminates low-frequency rumble or hum. The microphone also features a mute button, a direct monitoring function, and a headphone output for real-time monitoring. The microphone can provide up to 13 hours of wireless recording when paired with the included receiver, which connects to the camera via a Multi-Interface (MI) Shoe or a USB Type-C® terminal. The microphone also comes with a windscreen and a stand.
ECM-W3 and ECM-W3S: Wireless Microphones with Bluetooth 5.3 Technology
The ECM-W3 and ECM-W3S are wireless microphones that use Bluetooth 5.3 technology to deliver stable and reliable audio transmission. The ECM-W3 has a two-channel receiver and two microphones, while the ECM-W3S has a one-channel receiver and one microphone. Both models are suitable for video content creators who work in a wide range of shooting scenarios, such as vlogs and interviews, where they can easily record high-quality voices even when they are shooting away from the camera.
The microphones have an integrated noise suppression mode, which can be activated with a simple switch. The noise suppression mode reduces unwanted noise such as wind or traffic, while preserving the naturalness of the voice. The microphones also have an LED indicator that shows the battery status and the connection status. The microphones can operate in either analogue or digital modes, depending on the device they are connected to. The analogue mode allows for connecting to devices with a 3.5 mm audio input, such as cameras or audio recorders. The digital mode allows for connecting to devices with a USB terminal, such as smartphones or computers.
The receivers can record audio directly to the camera via a wireless connection, which eliminates the need for delay compensation or synchronization issues that sometimes occur when sound and video are input separately to a distribution device during live streaming. The receivers also have a safety function and an attenuator function, which can prevent audio clipping or distortion caused by sudden changes in volume. The receivers can operate for up to 6 hours on a single charge and have a maximum range of 150 meters. The microphones and the receivers also come with convenient charging cases, which can charge them up to three times.
Pricing and Availability
The new wireless microphones from Sony are expected to be available in October (ECM-S1) and November (ECM-W3 and ECM-W3S) of 2023. The suggested retail prices are as follows:
- ECM-S1: $419.99
- ECM-W3: $469.99
- ECM-W3S: $349.99
For more information about the new wireless microphones from Sony, please visit Sony’s website.
