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IBC 2008 Stand 8.E54
HHB has shipped its 10,000th FlashMic. First launched at IBC three years ago, the innovative Digital Recording Microphone quickly caught the imagination of major broadcasters and news organisations around the world and is now the interview recorder of choice for journalists working in all areas of the media.
German public broadcaster NDR has used FlashMics since their launch in 2005, significantly increasing its inventory in 2008 for coverage of the Beijing Olympic Games.
“The FlashMic enables our journalists to concentrate on the story, not their equipment,” comments Ernst Bostelmann, Director of Outside Radio Production, NDR Broadcasting Centre Hannover. “Even those who don’t have technical skills and are using the FlashMic for the first time can start interviews immediately without the need for complex, menu-driven operations. All the important technical settings can be protected in order to avoid unintended mistakes. Our journalists favour the FlashMic not only because it’s easy to use, but also for its sound quality. For these reasons we will continue to expand our FlashMic stock.”
At the Financial Times, one of the world’s leading financial newspapers, a number of FlashMics are available for use by journalists in a variety of applications.
“We have used FlashMics for podcasts and audio slideshows for a few years, and the sound quality and simple interface are superb,” reports Robert Minto, the FT’s Interactive Editor / Head of Audio. “They are especially useful for sending to some of our overseas correspondents, and are now a key part of our newsroom equipment. Overall, a brilliant product.”
With so many FlashMics in use around the world, new users are continuously coming to light. Academy Award-winning actor Jamie Foxx recently appeared on US television’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, surprising the talk show host and the audience when he pulled out his FlashMic to explain how he spontaneously captures material for his groundbreaking new satellite radio show. “I can take this mic, record whatever I want, and then pop it right on the radio. It’s my secret weapon,” Foxx enthused.
Simple drag and drop file transfer and seamless integration into playout systems have made the FlashMic an instant hit in radio, where users include ABC Radio, Capital Radio, Classic FM, Danish Broadcasting, Radio France, ORF, NDR, NRK and the BBC, which has increased its inventory of FlashMics to more than 1000 with the purchase of a further 500 units in the first half of 2008.
The following comments from leading broadcasters are typical:
“Unlike other solid-state recorders we’ve used, the FlashMic pops up immediately on any desktop with no issues surrounding admin rights or software drivers. It’s also very robust and user friendly, all of which leaves our journalists free to concentrate on the story.”
“It typically takes just a minute to explain how the FlashMic works, after which our journalists can self operate and file their reports either from a laptop or via a mobile matrix. The FlashMic runs on widely available AA batteries so there are no charging issues, and the facility to lock down settings such as recording file formats enables us to optimise file sizes for efficient importing into our RadioMan content management systems.”
“While it can be appropriate to give the operator manual control, we tend to lock down our FlashMics with the Automatic Gain Control on. Using the windshield, the FlashMic delivers high quality recordings in all environments. I remember one of our journalists saying that one day, all the recording equipment would be packed into a microphone. Well now that day has come.”
Commenting at IBC 2008, HHB managing Director Ian Jones says: “The FlashMic is a truly global success story and we’re delighted to have reached the manufacturing milestone of 10,000 units. From radio to podcasting, journalists appreciate the FlashMic’s unique combination of impeccable sound quality, simple user interface and easy file transfer.”
Combining a studio quality mic capsule with a broadcast quality Flash recorder and USB interface, the FlashMic range includes omnidirectional and cardioid models, both available with and without line inputs.
Editors' information:
Founded in 1976, HHB Communications is Europe's leading supplier of professional audio equipment to the broadcast sector, post production facilities, recording studios, film and TV sound recordists, and industrial and education establishments. HHB has also established an international reputation as a manufacturer of innovative professional audio technology and recording media, distributed by partner companies in more than 40 countries and relied upon daily by audio professionals around the world. Through its specialist division Scrub, based in London’s Soho, HHB serves the equipment needs of the film and TV post-production community while another specialist division, Source, operates as the exclusive UK distributor for many of the world’s leading manufacturers of audio recording products, supplying the UK market via a network of specialist retailers.
For further information, please contact:
Martin O’Donnell
Broadcast Sales Manager
HHB Communications Ltd
73-75 Scrubs Lane
London
NW10 6QU
UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 8962 5000
Fax: +44 (0)20 8962 5050
E-mail: martin.odonnell@hhb.co.uk
www.flashmic.info
Photo caption 1: Celebrating the 10,000th sale of the FlashMic at HHB from left to right, Ian Jones (Managing Director), Lee Shuttlewood (Broadcast Sales), Martin O'Donnell (Broadcast Sales Manager), Simon Burges (New Products Manager) and Caroline Cook (Export Sales Manager).
Photo caption 2: German broadcaster NDR chose the HHB FlashMic for ease of use and recording quality