Sennheiser has announced the availability of the Command Channel option on the SKM 5200 handheld microphone transmitter, the EK 3241 portable receiver, and the EM 3532, 3032 and 1046 rack-mounted receivers. The Command Channel function provides a second audio channel between the transmitter and receiver that permits a variety of secondary functions to be implemented for broadcast and live performance applications.

When the Command Channel option is installed on the receiver and the B5000-2 COMMAND battery pack is used with the SKM 5200 transmitter, activation of the Command switch on the battery pack routes the audio signal to a second output on the receiver. Depending upon the mode selected, the Command option switch may toggle between the two separate audio channels or add the Command Channel in parallel to the primary audio channel.

The Command Channel output from the receiver may be patched to allow this second audio signal to be routed to a broadcast production producer, for example, allowing the talent to directly address the control room off-air on a private channel. Alternatively, in the parallel mode, this second audio path might be routed to a monitor mixing console, making it unnecessary to use a splitter box in smaller live production set-ups. If the Command Channel output is not assigned, the switch may operate as a "cough function" or signal mute.

"Once again," noted Paul Nunnington, product manager for Sennheiser professional systems, "Sennheiser takes the lead in providing end users with RF functionality beyond the capabilities of its competitors. The Command Channel option delivers the flexibility needed in the hectic broadcast environment. It's just one of the latest development in Sennheiser's amazing fifty years of wireless technology."

Thirty-two Sennheiser SKM 5200 handheld wireless microphones were delivered late last year to CP Communications with the Command Channel option. The microphones are in regular use on sporting events broadcast by the FOX, ESPN and ABC television networks.