Blackmagic ATEM Microphone Converter

Blackmagic ATEM Microphone Converter Summary

It’s now easier than ever to add multiple microphones or external audio mixers to your ATEM Switcher with the Blackmagic ATEM Microphone Converter. There’s no complicated set-up as the Converter simply plugs into the ATEM Television Studio MADI port and you can even daisy-chain them together, in order to gain more sources.

Each individual converter provides 4 mic/line selectable analogue inputs with 48V phantom power. The design delivers amazing audio quality with an extremely low noise floor, a wide dynamic range and very low distortion. 8 separate ADCs on each separate input work together to extend dynamic range and there is also an HDMI monitoring output with scrolling audio waveforms.

Key Blackmagic ATEM Microphone Converter Features

• Convert 4 analogue XLR inputs to MADI for additional microphones with your ATEM switcher
• Mic/Line selectable inputs which offer 48V Phantom Power
• Delivers amazing audio quality with an extremely low noise floor
• Very low distortion and a wide dynamic range
• 8 separate ADCs on each input that work together to extend dynamic range
• HDMI monitoring output with scrolling audio waveform

Blackmagic ATEM Microphone Converter in More Detail

Professional converter design

The ATEM Microphone Converter from Blackmagic Design features a familiar converter based design that has space for the analogue electronics required for high quality analogue to digital audio conversion (ADC). It features combined XLR/TRS input sockets allowing both XLR or jack cables to be connected and also includes a MADI output with the converted audio. There’s also a MADI input, which allows multiple ATEM Microphone Converters to be daisy-chained together, so more than 4 channels of audio can be embedded into a single MADI connection. A 12V DC power connection, USB and Ethernet provide remote admin and software updates, while switches allow control of mic/line audio input levels and to turn on phantom power. The Blackmagic ATEM Microphone Converter perfectly complements both of the highly portable Blackmagic ATEM Television Studio HD8 and ATEM Television Studio HD8 ISO switchers.

Multi channel audio via MADI connection

MADI, or Multichannel Audio Digital Interface, is a multi channel audio link standardised as AES10 by the Audio Engineering Society (AES) and it defines the data format for an interface for multiple channels of digital audio. The ATEM Microphone Converter’s MADI output embeds the 4 analogue inputs as MADI channels 1, 2, 3 and 4. ATEM Microphone Converter also includes a MADI input, which is used to loop multiple converters when you need more than 4 channels of audio on a single MADI link. This means if a second converter is connected to the input of another, the upstream converter will stack its 4 channels above the 4 channels on the downstream converter.

Analogue to digital conversion (ADC)

Each analogue input channel has an ultra low noise, fixed gain preamplifier scaled to drive a high dynamic range audio ADC, which totally eliminates using an analogue microphone preamplifier in the design so the input does not suffer from preamp gain step clicks or ‘zipper noise’. The ATEM Microphone Converter steps outside conventional audio industry design practice of using an individual audio ADC, as each input implements analogue to digital conversion using 8 high dynamic range audio ADCs that function collectively as one ultra high dynamic range audio ADC. This means each input channel’s dynamic range is an incredible 131dB(A). Plus you get incredibly low distortion of only 0.002%.

Low -129dBV noise floor

A common problem with mic converters is the higher noise floor where electrical noise is generated in the preamplifiers. The ATEM Microphone Converter eliminates this problem by using a very different design where the input is converted directly using its ultra high dynamic range conversion so you pass RAW audio to the switcher where the switcher can then apply as much gain as required for the correct audio level. This means you don't get an injection of noise caused by an analogue gain stage, so you get an extremely low fixed noise floor of -129dBV regardless of digital gain applied. You can then apply digital gain control, which is done in minute ±0.1dB gain steps that are totally inaudible.

Digital preamplifier design for improved stability

With its wide dynamic range input, which eliminates the need for an analogue preamplifier, microphone levels are adjusted by an extremely stable digital preamplifier gain stage. Different microphone types and brands can vary widely in analogue audio levels, so this digital gain stage allows compensation for the specific brand of microphone you use. The digital preamplifier is processed in the full internal 32 bit RAW audio bit depth, so you're adjusting with much greater precision than the MADI audio standard can support. This results in an extremely clean and noise free gain stage. Then the final levels can be finessed on the ATEM audio mixer as you work.

Precisely matched analog inputs

The innovative design of the ATEM Microphone Converter also has other benefits, such as extremely precise matching between input audio channels. The multi ADC per input design technique means that each analogue audio input has very similar specifications and tolerances so all input channels are statistically more uniform. Plus the unique 8 ADC input design will maintain a stable and consistent flat noise floor that won't experience the negative effects of noise floor level modulation that traditional staggered ADC designs suffer from. This means you get similar performance no matter what input you connect the microphone to, and even between multiple ATEM Microphone Converters.

HDMI monitoring with scrolling audio waveforms

ATEM Microphone Converter also includes an HDMI video monitoring output in order to connect a simple TV or computer monitor for a full status display. It includes 4 informative scrolling waveforms over the last 60 seconds of time. There are also audio meters to show the level at the input connector and each channel also includes a custom label set via the software utility. There are also indicators to show the switch settings for mic/line input selection and phantom power. Plus if you daisy chain converters the monitoring output will adapt and display more than 4 channels.

Connections

• Analog Audio Inputs

4 x Combination 3-pin XLR and TRS 1/4 inch Jack switchable between +24dB line and mic level with support for +48V phantom power.

• MADI Inputs

1 x BNC supports 64 channel MADI digital audio

• MADI Outputs

1 x BNC supports 64 channel MADI digital audio

• HDMI Video Outputs

1 x monitor out.

• Computer Interface

1 x USB-C with locking screw

• Ethernet

Supports 10/100/1000 BASE‑T.

What’s in the box

• Blackmagic ATEM Microphone Converter
• External 12V DC power supply with locking connector and international socket adapters for most countries
• Welcome wallet with QR code for software download