Catchbox Plus system has undergone significant improvements to improve its functionality and versatility. The system now features the upgraded Hub DSP Receiver with integrated audio processing capabilities, introduces the new Stick handheld presenter microphone, and offers more connectivity options.
Updated Hub Receiver: Hub DSP Receiver
Hub DSP Receiver inputs and outputs
New transmitter: Stick handheld presenter mic
Remote Control and Monitoring Center
Updated Hub Receiver: Hub DSP Receiver
The Hub receiver has undergone substantial upgrades and is now known as the Hub DSP receiver. This new version:
- integrates DSP and mixing capabilities
- offers 2 or 4 channel/transmitter connectivity
- provides versatile input/output options (including Dante® and 3-pin connectors)
DSP and Automix
To offer a robust audio processing solution, we have integrated DSP and mixing capabilities into the Hub DSP receiver. This integration includes features like echo cancellation, auto-leveling, and feedback suppression, ensuring clear and reliable audio especially in hybrid and unsupervised environments.
- Echo cancellation prevents far-end participants from hearing their own voices as echoes, enhancing clarity during two-way communication
- Auto-leveling ensures consistent audio volume, accommodating different voices and speech dynamics without manual adjustments
- Feedback suppression minimizes the risk of acoustic feedback, which can be caused by user error or room imperfections.
Automixing focuses on the microphone currently being used while discreetly attenuating others, reducing ambient noise, comb filtering, and acoustic feedback.
2 or 4 channel connectivity
The new Hub DSP Receiver now comes in two configurations: 2-channel and 4-channel connectivity. This change was made to give users greater flexibility in the setups. The introduction of the Stick handheld mic alongside the 4-channel option means you can now use all three Catchbox mics together, and create diverse and customized bundles. The 2-channel configuration remains available for simpler setups ensuring you have the right capacity for your specific needs.
Hub DSP receiver inputs and outputs
Inputs:
- USB-C-IN
- AUX-IN
- Dante®-IN (up to 4 channels)
Outputs:
- Mic level unmixed balanced 3-pin connectors (up to 4 channels)
- Mixed USB-C-OUT
- Mixed balanced 3-pin Left & Right
- Mixed unbalanced RCA
- Dante®-OUT (configurable for unmixed or mixed output, up to 4 channels)
The Hub DSP receiver takes in audio signals from transmitters, USB sources, and AUX inputs, mixes these signals and routes them to various outputs. This setup can potentially replace a separate mixer and simplify the setup process.
The 3-pin Left and Right mixed output provides balanced mixed signals for direct connection to DSPs, or speakers. This maintains stereo sound quality for inputs like USB or AUX-IN while saving connector space.
The 3-pin unmixed outputs provide balanced mic-level signals for each channel individually. It's useful for scenarios where control over audio channels is needed, allowing for custom processing and integration with external audio systems.
Dante® is integrated for both output and input allowing seamless integration with other Dante®-enabled audio systems, improving flexibility and compatibility across diverse audio environments.
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New Transmitter: Stick Handheld Presenter Mic
The Catchbox Plus system now consists of 3 different microphones and includes the new Stick handheld presenter microphone. Designed for maximum user-friendliness, it features only one visible button, making it ideal for presenters who need a straightforward mic. When lifted from its charging dock, the Stick mic automatically activates and unmutes. The Stick mic includes a built-in pop filter to ensure clear audio by minimizing distracting "p" and "b" sounds. It also incorporates frequency response detection, adjusting its settings to accommodate different speaking styles, distances, and voice characteristics. This adaptability is particularly important for handheld microphones, where mic placement and voice dynamics can vary greatly.
Remote Control and Monitoring Center
Catchbox Control and Monitoring center is a new web-based application for clients using the Hub DSP Receiver with Dante® Networking. This tool allows remote oversight of your Catchbox Plus systems and their respective microphones, providing information such as battery levels, charging status, connectivity, USB device mode switching, Stealth mode activation, etc. It is in addition to the already known solutions like the built-in API or 3rd party integrations with Utelogy control management system or Q-SYS certified plugin. The Control and Monitoring Center helps with operational efficiency by offering real-time insights without the need for on-site presence in every room.
Range alarm update
Thanks to our client feedback, the range alarm feature, that was previously exclusive to the Clip microphone, is now applied to the Stick and Cube microphones as well. When a mic is taken out of the Hub DSP receiver's range (100 m/330 ft), an alarm goes off. The alert is designed to be noticeable but not startling - just loud enough to grab your attention so you can quickly return the mic to its proper range and room. This addition significantly reduces the risk of losing your microphones, keeping your equipment secure and in place.
Double charging dock
To save space on power outlets and surfaces, we’ve introduced a Double Charging Dock. It can hold either two Clip mics, two Stick mics, or one of each.
Serviceable battery
With the Catchbox Plus system update, the batteries in all three microphones are serviceable, meaning Catchbox will replace the batteries once they are no longer functional. Do not attempt to open or modify the microphones to access or replace the batteries yourself.
Compatibility Overview
With the updated Catchbox Plus system, all new transmitters are compatible with both the Hub DSP receiver (2 or 4 channel connectivity) and the previous Hub receiver.
However, it's important to note that transmitters purchased before August 26th, 2024 can only be paired with the previous Hub 2 channel receiver. The reason for this is that the earlier Cube and Clip microphones lack the advanced processing capabilities required to function with the Hub DSP receiver.
If you have an existing Plus system and wish to add new components like the Stick mic, you can do so by purchasing the Hub DSP receiver and daisy-chaining it with your current setup. This is done by connecting the RCA mixed output of the existing Hub to the AUX-IN of the Hub DSP receiver. Note that processing features will only apply to the system components of the updated system. This upgrade allows you to leverage new features and capabilities while maintaining compatibility with the existing equipment.