Sennheiser creates a custom microphone for TED

The headband microphone that Sennheiser has been expressly created for TED Debuted, next to the Digital Wireless Microphone 9000, at TEDMonterrey 2021.

Sennheiser has created a headband microphone for TED speakers that reliably delivers high-quality sound, while combining the aesthetics of the brand. The new headphones debuted along with the wireless microphone system Sennheiser Digital 9000 in TEDMonterrey 2021, which took place in August 2021. This was the first TED conference to be held in person since 2019, with speakers such as Adam Grant and Lizzo.

TED approached Sennheiser for the first time in 2018, as they were looking for a better solution than the headphone microphones they were using at the time. "We run into a lot of problems.: from an audio perspective to an aesthetic perspective. The previous microphones were clumsy and annoying.", Explains Sabet Mine, Director of Video Production and Operations at TED.

Mina was determined to design and build the first custom microphone for TED that would solve these challenges., and after an investigation, set his sights on Sennheiser.

"I wanted to work with Sennheiser to create the perfect microphone for us that was aesthetic., modern and with a great sound, without detracting from visual performance". Mina collaborated with the Sennheiser team, headed by Volker Schmitt, Pro-Audio Technical Applications Engineering Manager, to bring your vision to life.

In your design collaboration, involving several prototypes, Sennheiser achieved what TED was looking for in a headband microphone.

The final design took elements from some of the company's best products., combining them in a stylish and elegant package. The short arm and small microphone took advantage of the MKE's transducer 1 to give you the same clarity and optimal frequency response found in music and streaming applications.

Thin neck band allows comfort for extended use, and the silver color gives it a modern but subtle touch. While the design is unique to TED, is inspired by Sennheiser's popular headband microphones that can be found in all Broadway productions and news broadcast studios.

"The project with TED was outstanding and refreshing because Mina came in with a clear vision for the microphone.. Both Sennheiser and TED try to push the boundaries and deliver the best possible performance, so there was a lot of synergy in this partnership. We both maintain equally high standards, so I'm very proud of what we created together.", clarifies Volker Schmitt.

While the debut of microphones was delayed due to the pandemic, finally appeared on the TED stage for TEDMonterrey 2021 at the beginning of August. The four-day conference featured 63 artists and speakers with hundreds of attendees who joined in person and remotely.

According to Mina, "from the point of view of production, it was extremely smooth, Sennheiser microphones sounded crisp and looked perfect on all speakers. Sometimes, I even thought that the tech teams had forgotten to put the microphone on the presenters because the headphones are so sleek and not flashy.".

TED used the Digital Wireless System 9000 to bring custom headphones to life and ensure optimal and consistent sound during sessions. The robust system featured 4 wireless channels, 15 pouchs and were combined with the 50 headphones and 50 handheld microphones used throughout the event.

According to Volker, "the Digital 9000 was an advantageous option for TED thanks to its analog and digital outputs for audio, your Wireless Systems Manager software that allows the AV team to access live performance data, as well as its equidistant channel spacing that allows easy configuration and coordination of frequencies without calculations”.

After a successful first event with TEDMonterrey 2021, the organization will continue the momentum with major flagship conferences in the coming months. The TED calendar for the rest of the year will include TEDWomen: What Now?, to be held in Palm Springs (California) of the 1 to the 3 December.

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