Shure advances in the field of audio capture for Broadcast with the innovative DCA901 Microphone. Designed for sports production, studios, and live events, the DCA901 delivers front-row sound to viewers while reducing the number of microphones and cables required.
With digitally steerable lobes and integrated digital signal processing, engineers can isolate sources, reduce ambient noise, and maintain total control over the mix.
DCA901 is the first product in Shure’s new Arqos portfolio, designed with the vision of uniting microphones, signal processing, and software to deliver cleaner, more precise audio capture, remote management, and greater efficiency for productions.
The DCA901 can completely change workflows in any sports broadcast because it provides maximum capture flexibility and allows changes in an instant if needed. It will not compromise any element of the show. I deployed it at an NBA game and was completely amazed by the coverage: two sets could cover the entire NBA court. I would have needed twelve microphones to try to capture the same thing. It was incredible, says Dave Grundtvig, senior audio supervisor, remote operations.
Available next year, DCA901 replaces traditional workflows and complex setups with a streamlined, high-fidelity solution. The DCA901 represents a strategic milestone that expands Shure’s presence in digital broadcasting and sports audio capture, aligning with the company’s vision of integrated, scalable, software-controlled audio systems.
"Conventional methods for capturing audio have become increasingly complex as broadcast production standards and audience expectations continue to rise", said Nick Wood, associate vice president of global marketing and product management at Shure. "With DCA901, audio engineers can now do more with less, delivering sound that brings viewers even closer to the action with fewer microphones and cables".
Designed for the new era of broadcasting
DCA901 lays the foundation for the future of experiential audio capture, offering unmatched detail, superior control, and simplified workflows.
- Unmatched Detail: DCA901 enhances immersive experiences and multichannel audio by capturing elements that were previously hard to obtain, such as athlete dialogue and on-set or on-field movements. Its digitally steerable lobes isolate voices and action, minimizing crowd noise. DCA901 provides wider coverage than analog sources and offers up to eight isolated channels of focused, high-fidelity audio. In addition, the DCA901 can simultaneously and seamlessly capture stereo and 5.1 conversion and is compatible with modern and traditional broadcast formats.
- Superior Control: DCA901 provides total control of the audio environment with real-time digital tools that can adapt instantly. The integrated DSP with automatic mixing, EQ, compression, and delay delivers consistent audio quality with minimal post-processing.
- Simplified Workflows: Designed for ease of use and engineer-friendly deployment, DCA901’s digitally steerable lobes can replace multiple shotgun or parabolic microphones, reducing complexity and on-site setup time. A single-cable Dante or AES67 connection simplifies routing and reduces cabling infrastructure by combining audio, power, and control in one source. Remote control capabilities allow audio professionals to adjust pickup zones without on-site intervention while supporting REMI workflows and alternate feeds with flexible routing. The discreet, all-black design integrates seamlessly into stadiums, studios, and mobile sets without disrupting camera-ready environments.
Partnership with EDGE sound enhances precision and control of sports audio
Shure is collaborating with EDGE Sound Research to pair DCA901 with the startup’s Virtual Sound Engine software. Working together, the two tools adapt in real time to follow the movement of players, referees, or the ball—individually or in combination. Together, DCA901 and Virtual Sound Engine reveal moments once buried in the mix, giving engineers unprecedented adaptability and creative control.
The use of Shure’s DCA901 in live sports allows us to combine top-tier capture with our virtual sound engine to drive the future of sports storytelling. Together, we move beyond static mixes toward dynamic object-based broadcasts that bring fans closer to the game and enhance the live viewing experience, said Valtteri Salomaki, co-founder and CEO of EDGE Sound Research.
The Shure DCA901 will be available next year.
Expert voices
"The crowd sounded so natural and present that some people assumed it was prerecorded. That’s how real it felt. The DCA901 was our primary capture source and provided a clean, balanced sound that made the entire mix more immersive". – Ian Vysick, AMV Audio Development Specialist.
"While the microphone’s sound was, in my opinion, very different from what I’m used to with my parabolics, I’d say it’s better. The sound I was hearing was a more natural replica of a wooden bat hitting a baseball. It had more definition and I’d say it captured the sound of the ball hitting the bat better than current parabolic microphones". – Brian Robertson, audio engineer for MLB, NBA, NHL, and PGA broadcasts.
"The DCA901 changes the way we approach mixing. The biggest difference is its ability to capture larger moments in a sequence rather than just a snapshot. It lets you think about where the action is heading and where it will end up, rather than simply capturing a single moment in time". – Martin Farrelly, broadcast audio engineer for MLB, NBA, NHL, and UFC.
