Hollyland is difficult the dominance of RØDE and DJI with its new wi-fi microphone system that gives 32-bit float recording and wi-fi monitoring by way of over-ear headphones.
The corporate is greatest recognized for its button-sized wi-fi mic transmitters that mix seamlessly with the topic.
The brand new Lark Max 2 system can seize practically limitless dynamic vary and permits for untethered monitoring, marking a powerful development.
The unique Hollyland Lark Max Wi-fi System.
Picture Credit score – Hollyland
First launched by RØDE in 2023, 32-bit float recording expands the audio dynamic vary, stopping points similar to clipping and distortion that usually happen when the recording quantity is ready too excessive.
This innovation means customers not want to fret about balancing audio ranges whereas recording or risking lack of audio constancy when saving to the digital camera’s audio observe.
Picture Credit score – Hollyland
The Lark Max 2 System, previewed final week at NAB in Las Vegas, information audio domestically on the transmitter, which is then despatched encrypted to the receiver.
The receiver decodes and writes the audio to the digital camera’s observe.
If the expertise speaks louder than the system is ready for or delivers an emotional outburst, the 32-bit float recording algorithm handles it easily, avoiding clipping or distortion that might smash a scene.
The system options automated achieve management and quantity management for correct leveling, in addition to a handbook management choice by way of the Hollyland cellular app.
Moreover, it features a Sony Scorching Shoe Adapter that captures 24-bit sound at 48 kHz by way of the new shoe, eliminating the necessity for a cable that might require the sign to be transformed to analog.
This leads to a very digital sign; nonetheless, some clipping might happen on the excessive ends of achieve if correct audio ranges usually are not set for the digital camera.
Hollyland advises customers of Sony cameras to stability enter ranges in response to the digital camera’s specs to keep away from exceeding them.
With every transmitter recording domestically, the digital 32-bit float observe stays preserved and could be downloaded and utilized, whereas the Sony 24-bit observe serves as an archival or proxy choice.
The menu system of the Lark Max 2 additionally gives audio degree solutions based mostly on the digital camera mannequin getting used, which is sort of helpful.
Native recording time of the unique Lark Max system is rated on the transmitter as much as 14 hours of audio, due to 8GB of built-in storage.
Did Hollyland maintain this storage dimension within the Max 2? It’s a protected guess that they did.
The transmitters have been redesigned for a thinner, extra rounded profile, however nonetheless keep the identical working battery lifetime of as much as seven and a half hours, the identical because the first-gen Lark Max.
This may be expanded to 22 hours courtesy of the included cost case.
One other featured innovation previewed at NAB with the Lark Max 2 was the elective pair of on-ear wi-fi headphones.
The over-the-ear model design can wirelessly sync to the system by way of 2.4 GHz WiFi, permitting sound engineers to watch audio in actual time.
This wi-fi resolution additionally connects to iPhones or Android smartphones by way of Bluetooth for related performance.
Pricing and Availability
Whereas there isn’t any set worth for the Lark Max 2 but, the present mannequin, the Lark Max, is priced at $249, so anticipate the brand new mannequin to be in an analogous vary, minus the elective wi-fi headphone add-on.
It additionally means a possible worth drop for the unique Lark Max system. Hollyland plans to start delivery within the second quarter of 2025, round summer time.
[source: CineD]
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