Sennheiser installed at Mecca

SAUDI ARABIA: Masjid al-Haram in Mecca has undergone a project to update its microphone systems. The upgrade has seen the latest digital models from Sennheiser installed at all prayer locations around the Kaaba, and in the Mokabariah studios from where all audio content and prayers originating from Mecca are broadcast across the world.

The installation was undertaken by First Gulf Company (FGC) in collaboration with the Saudi Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) and was carried out to improve speech intelligibility. ‘Daily prayers held at Masjid al-Haram are heard by thousands of Muslims within the mosque and by millions across the world,’ said Orlando Castro, director of engineering and pre-sales at FGC. ‘It was therefore imperative for us to provide the very best audio clarity and the new installation enables exactly this.’

FGC and SBC opted for Sennheiser’s MKH 8040 cardioid microphones paired with MZD 8000 digital modules. In addition, a Neumann DMI-8 has been deployed giving the team the ability to power and centrally control the gain of the microphones remotely while encoding embedded data within their signals.

Due to the on-going construction relating to the expansion of Mecca, the microphones have been moved to locations that are large distances away from the studios. However, the quality and signal purity is reportedly unaffected as it is now captured digitally. The new system also provides the ability to use analogue microphones with the same microphone head.

‘Through years of experience and practical application, we have found that Sennheiser’s audio solutions meet and exceed the quality, reliability and durability standards demanded by the broadcast industry,’ said Mr Castro. SBC reportedly shared this trust in the brand and found the microphones to be fit-for-purpose.

FGC will now work together with Sennheiser to deliver comprehensive training that will enable the team at Masjid al-Haram to use the system to its full potential.

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