Dorna Sports confirms Audio-Technica 8.0 Microphone Concept as core component of MotoGP

Following nearly three seasons of extensive prototype testing of Audio-Technica’s 8.0 Microphone Concept at MotoGP commercial rights holder Dorna Sports S.L. has moved to make the 8.0 microphone a core audio component of its future program broadcasting.

Located at Dorna Sports’ Barcelona, Spain facility, the extensive remote production suite, which is planned to be phased in through the 2024 Season, will include a custom-built 7.1.4 / 5.1.4 dedicated Audio Control Room to mix immersive audio received from the track in real time. Audio-Technica 8.0 Microphones are to be located at the podium, parc fermé, pit lane and key positions around the racetrack.

While the Audio Control Room will remain static, audio acquisition at the track needs to capture the complex dynamic audio content of the premier global motorcycling event while also being practical in terms of setup and breakdown, given that there can be over twenty GPs around the world each season. 

The simplicity of the 8.0 Microphone Concept is also its advantage, as producers and engineers who wish to capture immersive audio content in a real time and fast-paced environment, such as live sports, will have a practical and uncomplicated solution without the additional algorithms and decoding required in alternative immersive audio capture applications. As well as sports broadcasting, Audio-Technica sees several applications for its new microphone design, including concert halls and outdoor festivals.

Audio-Technica plans a market release of its 8.0 Microphone in 2022.