Shure Advance MXA310 User Manual

MXA310

Table Array Microphone

Complete user guide for the MXA310. Includes installation instructions, specifications, best practices, command strings, and more.

Version: 5 (2020-B)

MXA310 Table Array Microphone

Overview

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General Description

The Microflex Advance table array is a premium networked tabletop microphone for AV conferencing environments, including

boardrooms, huddle rooms, and multi-purpose spaces. Revolutionary technology from the Shure DSP suite includes Steerable

Coverage , with selectable polar patterns on 4 independent channels to capture participant audio. The innovative new toroid

polar pattern delivers 360° coverage, while rejecting sound from directly above the microphone. Control the microphone with

Shure Designer software, or a browser-based web application. The microphone integrates seamlessly with Dante digital net-

worked audio and third-party preset controllers, including Crestron and AMX, to deliver a high-quality AV conferencing experi-

ence that appeals equally to integrators, consultants, and meeting participants.

®

™

Features

Configurable Coverage

•

Steerable Coverage delivers precise pick-up for up to 4 independent lobes

•

Shure DSP Suite provides fast-acting automatic mixing and channel equalization

•

Innovative toroid polar pattern delivers 360° coverage, while rejecting sound from directly above the microphone to reduce

noise caused by HVAC systems or video projectors.

Software Control

•

Shure Designer software provides comprehensive microphone and pattern control

•

With Designer, you can also design coverage with online and offline devices, and route audio between Shure devices

•

If Designer isn't available, use the browser-based web application to control the microphone

Network Connectivity

•

Four discrete audio channels and an additional automix channel are delivered over a single network cable

•

™

Dante digital audio coexists safely on the same network as IT and control data, or can be configured to use a dedicated

network

Control strings available for third-party preset controllers including Crestron and AMX

Professional Design

•

Sleek, low-profile industrial design blends with contemporary board rooms and meeting spaces

•

Configurable multi-colored LED light ring matches the environment, displays mute settings, and confirms coverage set-

tings

•

Available in white, black, and aluminum finishes

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System Overview

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① Dante audio, power, and control

A single network cable delivers 4 discrete audio channels from each microphone onto the Dante network, where they can

be routed to any Dante-compatible devices.

② Analog audio (microphone to network)

Analog equipment, such as a wireless microphone system or a gooseneck microphone on a podium, connects to the Dante

audio network through a Shure Network Interface (model ANI4IN) for a completely networked conferencing system.

③ Far-end audio (network to loudspeakers)

™

Dante -enabled loudspeakers and amplifiers connect directly to a network switch. Analog loudspeakers and amplifiers con-

nect through a Shure Network Interface (model ANI4OUT), which converts Dante audio channels into analog signals, de-

livered through 4 discrete XLR or block connector outputs.

™

④ Device control and Dante audio

A computer running Dante Controller and Shure Designer provides control over the following:

Control:

A computer connected to the network controls the microphone with Shure Designer software. You can remotely control

coverage, muting, LED behavior, gain, and network settings.

™

Audio:

Route audio with Dante Controller or Shure Designer software. Dante Virtual Soundcard enables audio monitoring

and recording directly on the computer.

™ ™

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System Planning and Gear Requirements

Setting up the Audio Network

Shure networked conferencing systems are comprised of Microflex Advance microphones and network interfaces, which oper-

ate entirely on a Dante network. Additional hardware, including network switches, computers, loudspeakers, and audio proces-

sors are described in the hardware component index.

Shure components shown in this diagram:

Microflex Advance Microphones

The MXA910 and MXA310 are equipped with Dante outputs, and connect directly to a network switch.

Audio Network Interfaces

The interfaces are used to connect analog devices such as loudspeakers and analog microphones to the network.

ANI4IN: Converts 4 analog signals (separate XLR and block connector models available) into Dante digital audio signals.

ANI4OUT: Converts 4 channels of Dante audio from the network into analog signals.

This diagram shows the entire signal path through a networked conference system. Signals from the near end and far

end are exchanged through an audio processor connected to a phone system, or through a computer connected to

the internet. Analog microphones connect to the network through the Shure ANI4IN, while loudspeakers connect

through the Shure ANI4OUT.

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This diagram shows Microflex Advance components in context, with two rooms communicating through video codecs.

Controlling Hardware and Audio Over the Network

Audio and hardware settings are managed through a computer connected to the same network.

Shure Hardware and Audio

Each Microflex Advance component has a web application which provides mixing and configuration tools to optimize sound

quality.

Expanded Control for Analog Devices

Analog devices that are connected to the network through a Shure network interface (ANI4IN/ANI4OUT) benefit from additional

remote control: Volume levels, equalization, and signal routing are managed through the web application. For example, adjust-

ing loudspeaker volume or muting a wired microphone, which would normally be done from the hardware, can now be con-

trolled remotely over the network.

Dante Signal Routing

You can manage signal routing with Dante Controller or Shure Designer software.

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System Use Cases

These use cases will help you understand how Shure devices fit in conference rooms, huddle rooms, and multipurpose

spaces.

Each diagram includes:

•

Signal flow and connections

•

Required devices

Power Over Ethernet and Hardware Requirements

All Shure devices included in these use cases require Power over Ethernet (PoE, class 0). Refer to the Dante and Network-

ing section for additional information on cable and network switch requirements.

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Telephone Conference with Shure MXW Audio Network Interface

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① Array microphone to Shure MXWANI

Connect the microphone output to port 1 on the MXWANI with a network cable. Port 1 provides the necessary Power over

Ethernet (PoE).

② Computer to Shure MWXANI

Connect a computer to the ANI on port 2 or 3 with a network cable to provide control of the array microphone and other net-

worked components.

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③ Shure ANI analog outputs to audio processor

Step 1: Route signals with Dante Controller software

Route the channels from the microphone (Dante transmitter) to the MXWANI channels (Dante receiver). This establishes the

discrete channels to deliver through the analog outputs.

Step 2: Connect the MXWANI outputs to the processing device inputs

Block connector outputs on the MXWANI send balanced audio signals to the inputs on the processing device, which provides

digital signal processing (such as acoustic echo cancellation).

④ Connection to far end

Connect the audio processor to a VOIP server or telephone line to send and receive audio between the near end and far

end.

⑤ Audio from far end to amplifier

Route the far-end audio through the audio processor output to an amplifier.

⑥ Amplified audio signal to loudspeakers

Connect the loudspeakers to the amplifier to hear the audio from the far end.

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Telephone Conference with Dante-enabled Audio Processor

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① Array microphone to network switch

Connect the microphone output with a network cable to any port on the switch that supplies Power over Ethernet (PoE).

② Computer to network switch

Connect a computer to the network switch to provide control of the microphone and other networked components.

③ Network switch to Dante audio processor

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Connect the Dante audio processor to the network switch to provide:

◦

Digital signal processing (acoustic echo cancellation)

◦

Digital-to-analog conversion to deliver Dante audio over an analog (VOIP or telephone line) output.

◦

Analog-to-digital conversion to deliver analog audio from the far end onto the Dante network.

④ Connection to far end

Connect the output from the audio processor to a VOIP server or telephone line to deliver audio between the near end and

far end.

⑤ Audio from far end to amplifier

Route the far end audio through the audio processor output to an amplifier.

⑥ Amplified audio signal to loudspeakers

Connect the loudspeakers to the amplifier to deliver the audio from the far end.

Telephone Conference with Breakout Boxes and Audio Processor

In this scenario, two MXA310 microphones are used for a total of 8 Dante audio channels. Using two network interfaces, the

Dante channels are converted to analog signals for acoustic echo cancellation.

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① Microphone to network switch

Connect the array microphone output with a network cable to any port on the switch that supplies power over ethernet

(PoE).

② Computer to network switch

Connect a computer to the network switch to provide control of the microphone and other networked components through

the software control panel.

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③ ANI4OUT (digital-to-analog conversion)

From the network switch: Use network cables to connect each ANI4OUT to the network switch. A single ANI4OUT re-

ceives 4 channels of Dante audio, and converts them to 4 analog signals, delivered through XLR outputs or block connec-

tors. Using two of them, all 8 channels from the microphones can be connected to analog inputs on an audio processing

device.

To a processing device: Route the ANI4OUT outputs to the processing device inputs to provide digital signal processing

(acoustic echo cancellation).

④ Connection to far end

Connect the output from the audio processor to a VOIP server or telephone line to deliver audio between the near end and

far end.

⑤ Audio from far end to amplifier

Route the far end audio through the audio processor output to an amplifier.

⑥ Amplified audio signal to loudspeakers

Connect the loudspeakers to the amplifier to deliver the audio from the far end

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Web Conferencing Software with Dante Virtual Soundcard

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① Microphone to network switch

Connect the microphone output with a network cable to any port on the switch that supplies Power over Ethernet (PoE).

② Computer to network switch

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Connect a computer to the network switch to provide control of the microphone and other networked components through

the software control panel. The computer also runs Dante Virtual Soundcard, Dante Controller, and the web conferencing

software.

◦

Dante Virtual Soundcard / Controller: Turn on the Dante Virtual Soundcard and use Dante Controller to route the micro-

phone signal to the computer.

◦

Web Conferencing Software:Assign the audio input and output device settings to the appropriate Dante transmitter and

receiver channels.

③ Network switch to ANI4OUT

Use network cables to connect each ANI4OUT to the network switch. Each interface receives 4 channels of Dante audio,

and converts them to 4 analog signals, delivered through XLR outputs or block connectors.

④ Audio from far end to amplifier

Route the far-end audio to an amplifier.

⑤ Amplified audio signal to loudspeakers

Connect the loudspeakers to the amplifier to deliver the audio from the far end.

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Video Conference

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① Microphone to network switch

Connect the microphone output with a network cable to any port on the switch that supplies power over Ethernet (PoE).

② Computer to network switch

Connect a computer to the network switch to provide control of the microphone and other networked components through

the software control panel.

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Shure Advance MXA310 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Table of Contents

MXA310 Table Array Microphone

Overview

General Description

Features

Configurable Coverage

Software Control

Network Connectivity

Professional Design

System Overview

System Planning and Gear Requirements

Setting up the Audio Network

Controlling Hardware and Audio Over the Network

Shure Hardware and Audio

Expanded Control for Analog Devices

Dante Signal Routing

System Use Cases

Power Over Ethernet and Hardware Requirements

Telephone Conference with Shure MXW Audio Network Interface

Telephone Conference with Dante-enabled Audio Processor

Telephone Conference with Breakout Boxes and Audio Processor

Web Conferencing Software with Dante Virtual Soundcard

Video Conference