Blackmagic Design’s compact 108-capsule array performs seventh-order ambisonic encoding inside the microphone, simplifying immersive audio capture for camera, computer and live-production workflows
THUNDER BAY – PHOTO TECH – Blackmagic Design has announced the Blackmagic Ambisonic Microphone, a professional spatial-audio array designed to record an entire sound field without an external encoder or multichannel breakout box. The microphone is scheduled to reach Blackmagic resellers worldwide in December 2026.
The faceted aluminium body contains 108 flush-mounted digital MEMS microphones. An internal processor applies encoding filters licensed from Apple and converts those signals into 64 channels of 32-bit, seventh-order ambisonic audio in real time. Blackmagic calls it the first seventh-order ambisonic microphone available as an integrated commercial product.
One cable for audio and power
All 64 audio channels and power travel through one USB-C connection. The microphone is USB class-compliant, so Blackmagic says it requires neither drivers nor plug-ins.
Its most closely integrated use is with the Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive. Mounted on the camera, it can record spatial sound directly into the camera’s immersive files in synchronization with stereoscopic video intended for Apple Immersive Video and Apple Vision Pro.
The microphone can also connect to a computer for recording and real-time mixing through Fairlight Live, or to an iPhone running the Blackmagic Camera app. Blackmagic is planning a USB-to-SMPTE-2110 converter for broadcast and IP-production installations.
Pricing needs a regional check
Blackmagic’s global announcement gives a price of US$1,695 before local duties and taxes. However, the company’s current product page displays $1,909 for the microphone with its mount and $2,405 for the location kit, which adds a windshield and locking USB-C cable. The discrepancy appears to reflect Blackmagic’s region- and duty-dependent pricing, so buyers should confirm their local reseller price.
This is specialized equipment rather than a replacement for a conventional camera microphone. Its primary audience is immersive filmmakers, XR producers, spatial-audio engineers and broadcasters building advanced Fairlight or SMPTE-2110 workflows. For those users, internal encoding and a single-cable connection could remove a substantial amount of location hardware.
Sources: Blackmagic Ambisonic product page, Blackmagic announcement coverage, Newsshooter technical summary
