At NAB 2026, the Sennheiser Group presents forward-looking technologies for broadcasters, studios, streaming platforms and creators. The booth, divided into three areas —Reliable Integration, Connection and Future & Innovation— guides visitors along their workflow journey.
This journey spans from capturing, enhancing and monitoring content with solutions from Sennheiser, Neumann and Merging, to integration and connectivity, where partner SoundBase will showcase new features of its brand-agnostic RF planning and control application. The experience culminates in the Future & Innovation area, home to the AMBEO Zone, the Spectera showcase and the Spectera Lab.
Visitors are also invited to attend a talk by Sennheiser’s Joe Ciaudelli titled Wireless Microphone Operation for Mega-Events in the 1435 – 1525 MHz Band, taking place on Saturday, April 18, from 2:10 to 2:30 p.m. in Room N25.
Latest Spectera updates at NAB 2026
With the latest Spectera firmware update v1.3.0, the OpenAPI 17.0 interface for the Spectera Base Station has been released. The Spectera API enables deeper integration, new workflows and partner-driven innovation, allowing engineering teams, system integrators, automation specialists and developers to integrate Spectera into their own control systems, monitoring dashboards and production workflows via the secure https-based SSCv2 interface for remote access.
API access is not a nice-to-have, but essential for an ecosystem that aims to thrive within user environments and workflows. It opens Spectera to operators and automation specialists looking to create custom workflows, to manufacturers seeking integration with their own devices, and to developers building audio plug-ins or other software, says Benedikt Euen, Senior Product Manager for Spectera.
At the booth, the customization capabilities of the Spectera API are demonstrated using the Bitfocus Companion and Buttons app, which in typical live and touring setups can be used alongside DAW control to switch instruments and activate engineer mode via the active Spectera beltpack.
The possibilities are extensive: users can interact, control and monitor Spectera via devices such as stream decks, touchscreens or DAW software, trigger functions like engineer mode or instrument switching, or create backups of mobile devices at the touch of a button.
Spectera Rental Finder
When large broadcast productions require additional Spectera units, the Spectera Rental Finder makes it possible to locate systems worldwide through an interactive map. Available on the Sennheiser website, this tool connects customers with a network of professional rental partners, simplifying the sourcing of required equipment.
Spectera software ecosystem
Sennheiser has also announced changes to the Spectera software ecosystem.
Feedback from our user community shows a clear preference for Spectera WebUI over LinkDesk, as well as strong interest in SoundBase for advanced multi-system, multi-vendor management. We have therefore decided not to continue LinkDesk development beyond version 1.6.0 and to focus on integrating Spectera into SoundBase to cover its functionality going forward, explains Euen.
This will position SoundBase as the first brand-agnostic application capable of managing both narrowband and wideband wireless systems, while Spectera WebUI remains the primary tool for individual base stations.
New licenses and spectrum
Spectera now offers activation licenses for Taiwan (LIC ZONE 15), Mainland China (trial license, LIC ZONE 17) and Brazil (LIC ZONE 16), where Anatel certification is already in place.
In addition, the allowed frequency range in the 1.4 GHz band for LIC ZONE 1 (EU, EFTA, UK and Turkey) has been expanded to include 1492–1525 MHz in addition to 1350–1400 MHz. “This extension makes Spectera in the 1.4 GHz band even more attractive for users, especially considering the congestion and reduction of UHF spectrum”, notes Euen.
Wireless microphone operation in the 1.4 GHz band for large-scale events
Spectera firmware version v1.3.0 also prepares the ecosystem for AFTRCC e-key handling in 1.4 GHz systems in the USA.
Professional users interested in learning more about the 1.4 GHz band as a viable alternative to the congested UHF-TV spectrum are invited to a talk by spectrum expert Joe Ciaudelli on Saturday, April 18, from 2:10 to 2:30 p.m. in Room N256.
Ciaudelli will cover the use of the 1435–1525 MHz band in large-scale events such as the Super Bowl, World Series, Kentucky Derby, national elections and the Academy Awards, as well as detailing regulations, eligibility (applicants must hold an FCC Part 74 license) and procedures for operating in this frequency range.
Immersive workflows for broadcast and OTT in the AMBEO Zone
The AMBEO Zone allows broadcasters, OTT platforms and creators to explore how to enhance audience engagement through advanced immersive audio technologies, optimized for playback on non-immersive systems, both in real-time broadcast and file-based VOD productions.
Today, content is most often played back on stereo devices, especially in mobile environments. Our workflows enable the delivery of consistent, high-quality audio experiences that strengthen the emotional connection with the viewer while preserving creative intent, explains Kai Detlefsen, Head of AMBEO.
The AMBEO 2-Channel Spatial Audio Renderer (file-based) is presented as a streamlined post-production solution for VOD and catalog content, available both on-premise and in the cloud. This workflow allows immersive mixes to be rendered into a compelling two-channel AMBEO experience while maintaining full parameter access for creative adjustments.
Following the same principles, the AMBEO 2-Channel Spatial Audio Broadcast Renderer (real-time) encodes immersive and surround audio into an AMBEO 2.0 stream in real time, delivering an immersive experience without requiring any changes on the listener’s side. At NAB, it is shown running on compact professional devices such as the Neumann MT 48, enabling seamless integration into AES67, ST 2110 or Dante environments.
Finally, the AMBEO Zone features the Neumann VIS application for visionOS, which enables the creation and refinement of immersive productions using spatial computing devices such as Apple Vision Pro. By visualizing spatial mix elements within the actual playback environment, audio professionals gain an intuitive understanding of placement, depth and movement, streamlining creative decisions.
