In the fast-paced world of film and television production, having reliable wireless audio equipment is paramount. Enter the Audio Ltd A10 Radios, a revolutionary system that has been making waves in the industry since it came on the market in 2019. In this blog, we'll delve into the features, pros, and cons of the A10 Radios, providing an in-depth look at why it's a top choice for professionals.
Personal Experience with the Audio A10 System
I first purchased the A10s brand new, shortly after they were released in 2019. I got the dual receiver and 2x A10 transmitters along with the cables required to power the receiver in my sound bag and an adapter and cable for using an A10 on a boom. I also purchased some DPA adaptors for my lavalier microphones so I could continue to use my DPA 4071 microphones with the new A10 transmitters.
Overall, I’ve been fairly satisfied with the A10 system, being impressed with the various features it offers, but there have also been some struggles with the system too along the way which I will get into in the blog. The A10 system has since gone on to be succeeded by a new model, the A20, now under the umbrella of the Sound Devices brand. However, it doesn’t take away from the fact that the A10s are a fantastic piece of kit, so let’s get into the features of the system!
Features:
Excellent Transmitter for Wireless Boom Mics: One of the standout features of the Audio Ltd A10 Radios is its exceptional performance as a transmitter for wireless boom mics. With its advanced technology, it delivers crisp and clear audio, making it ideal for capturing dialogue on set.
Dual Receiver Unit: The A10 Radios come equipped with a dual receiver unit, allowing for seamless operation with multiple transmitters. This feature enhances flexibility on set, enabling audio professionals to capture audio from various sources simultaneously.
Frequency Tuning: A notable advantage of the A10 Radios is the ability to tune the transmitters to frequencies close together, minimizing intermodulation issues. This feature enables users to utilize more transmitters on a shoot without worrying about signal interference.
Local Recording: The A10 Radios offer the convenience of local recording onto a microSD card at 32-bit depth, ensuring high-quality audio capture. This feature is invaluable for backup purposes and provides peace of mind to audio professionals.
Ergonomic Design: Designed with usability in mind, the A10 Radios boast an ergonomic design that enhances user comfort during prolonged use. Its compact size and lightweight construction make it an ideal companion for on-the-go audio recording.
Pros:
Exceptional Transmitter Performance: The A10 Radios excel as transmitters for wireless boom mics, delivering superior audio quality that meets the demands of professional audio production.
Frequency Flexibility: With the ability to tune transmitters to frequencies close together, the A10 Radios offer unmatched flexibility, allowing for the simultaneous use of multiple transmitters without signal interference.
Local Recording Capability: The inclusion of local recording onto a microSD card provides added versatility, serving as a reliable backup solution for critical audio capture.
Cons:
Power Consumption and Heat Generation: One downside of the A10 Radios is the power-hungry nature of the dual receiver unit, which can lead to excessive heat generation in the sound bag, potentially impacting performance and longevity.
Signal Range Variability: While the A10 Radios offer impressive signal range in optimal conditions, some users have reported inconsistency, with signal strength varying unpredictably, even at short distances.
Monitoring Limitations: Despite the capability for local recording, the inability to monitor audio directly from the microSD card is a drawback, limiting real-time feedback during recording sessions. However, this is a frequent occurance in most transmitters which offer a local recording feature.
Subpar Mobile App: The A10 Radios' mobile app, while offering remote operation features, suffers from poor Bluetooth connectivity and usability issues, detracting from its overall effectiveness.
Conclusion:
Despite its drawbacks, the Audio Ltd A10 Radios stand out as a top-tier choice for wireless audio in professional production settings. With its exceptional transmitter performance, frequency flexibility, and local recording capabilities, it offers unparalleled versatility and reliability on set. While issues such as power consumption, signal variability, and mobile app shortcomings exist, they are outweighed by the system's overall performance and innovation.
As technology continues to evolve, improvements such as those seen in the A10's successor, the A20, offer hope for addressing some of these limitations. Nonetheless, the A10 Radios remain a cornerstone of wireless audio solutions, trusted by audio professionals worldwide to deliver exceptional sound quality in demanding production environments.
Dan Guest
Sound Recordist