The MWX neXt solution is an all-in-one audio solution for hybrid classrooms, training rooms and lecture halls. Simon Fourie looks at how it works and what separates it from its competitors.

The pedigree of Shure (and the SM58 capsule specifically) is long-standing as a de facto standard for voice whether it be vocalists in bands or just a basic presentation in front of an audience. What Shure has done with the MWX neXt 2, is transport their range of wireless microphone options directly into the 21^st century with this latest addition to the Microflex wireless range.

Featuring Dante, USB, analogue audio connections, acoustic echo cancellation (AEC), automixing technology, DECT wireless microphone linking and transmitter charging ports all built into the charging base, the neXt 2 system allows for new or retrofit applications in most environments requiring wireless microphones.

Heading into this product review, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Because of my uncertainty, I’d dug out my old DSP from storage, audio cables, amplification and loudspeakers just in case. Once I had done my initial investigation and spoken to the guys at Shure, I realised that one of the best parts about the in-room standalone system is that I didn’t need all this additional hardware to test it out.

If you’re evaluating this yourself for use in your environment, it’s important to point out some of the prominent features.

All-in-one access point transceiver and microphone charger

Probably my favourite feature of this system is that the APXD2 base is the DECT transceiver as well as the DSP in the room. There’s no need for external, cumbersome wired transceivers that you must farm for a neat position to install.

Also, the fact that this is a DECT AP means you’ll have uninterrupted audio and a hassle-free connection to microphones.

Linking microphones to the DECT transceiver has never been easier, dock it and press the link button and the new microphone automatically takes over. Either microphone can also be changed to a different type without interrupting the first microphone channel.

There is a third-party microphone input on the rear. In fact, this port is a non-phantom power, mono-balanced input capable of handling line level at +4dBu and mic level at -10dBV levels. Remember bringing in an external microphone to this DSP environment can be done via this port or a Dante channel. This ability to bring in an existing room microphone makes this a very powerful solution.

The neXt2 base unit is fully equipped with a USB-C port that enables an ‘Echo Cancelling Speakerphone’ for your in-room (or external) UC system. This driverless UAC signal is based on the reliable USB 2.0 transport of audio over USB.

It would have been nice of Shure to include a camera port (I know it’s an audio-only device) to this unit to provide the USB audio and video feed in the room via a single USB connection from a laptop to the base unit. For room systems, this isn’t necessarily an important consideration, but for BYOD it seems like a good idea not to have to run two USB-C cords to the table or use a USB Hub.

Built-in IntelliMix DSP

The on-board features dwindle in the light of the built-in IntelliMix DSP with the quick-change preset configurations. Shure has already released the IntelliMix software for PC platforms, however, building this into a preset configurable, IP-accessible platform with an API takes the cake.

With this DSP comes the ability for this unit to stand on its own. Boasting Dante inputs and outputs on a dedicated Dante LAN connection as well as microphone inputs and outputs on balanced professional terminal block connections, all with LAN and USB connectivity for UC, monitoring and control, the neXt2 system can hold its own when it comes to replacing the half rack wide DSP in each room.

User changeable presets

The button on the charging base is very easy to use. It toggles through the preset DSP configurations easily enough for any user to understand what the room function will be.

1. Direct Mode – What it says… A direct feed of microphone one and two out of analogue one and two with the same output out of the Dante outputs one and two. Dante output three carries the direct analogue audio input number one which is provided for external mic use. This allows us to incorporate a third-party microphone in the direct preset feeds out of the base.
   I had it hooked up to a sound reinforcement mixer/amp which allowed me to belt out a few of my favourite lyrics karaoke style into the recording software on my computer via USB, albeit very quietly in the confines of my office. This performed great thanks to the SM58 capsule that is currently on the handheld microphone. The lavalier mic was also quite impressive although this unit did not have to endure my singing, just a good old one two…
   There is no echo cancellation engaged in this preset because it is a broadcast-type scenario.
2. Presentation & Conference Mode – these are very similar in functionality and layout in the DSP. Whilst analogue one output carries the full audio mix and analogue two carries the far-end audio only, the Dante outputs one and two carry these same signals. Dante output three and USB output send the local mix to far-end participants.
   The difference between these two presets boils down to allowing the Conference Mode to reference the audio coming back into the room for the echo-cancelling algorithm.
3. Custom Mode – This enables the user to customise a preset configuration and will be released very soon in a firmware update by Shure.
   I would be leaving all other presets to their own devices and then adding a custom preset that would be triggered by my control system in certain scenarios. Be careful because Shure will probably allow all crosspoints to be routed in this custom mode thereby leading to possible chaos in your audio routing. However, a custom layout is always better to need and have, than to need and not have…

There are a range of microphone options that come with the wireless DECT base, including:

• Shure wireless handheld transmitters have cartridge options for the SM58, SM86, Beta58 and VP86 microphone options.
• Shure Boundary microphones with omnidirectional or cardioid options.
• Shure Bodypack microphones (without lavalier – this would always be purchased separately)

I was lucky enough to evaluate the SM58 capsule on the wireless handheld transmitter. The new display and USB-C port on the unit also made the experience better by providing clear statistics with battery time remaining on a dot matrix display. Inserting the transmitter into the charging station is guided with two sturdy pins on each side of the USB-C port making this process easy and painless.

All of these wireless microphone options charge via the USB-C port and provide what is known as a ‘backchannel’ of Audio from the IntelliMix DSP inside the Transceiver. Because this is DECT and two-way, they have a receiver for the microphones built into the base as well as a transmitter. This transmitter can be used to transmit ‘backchannel’ audio back to the ears of the speaker holding the microphone for enhanced listening to all audio.

Conclusion

All things considered, this wireless microphone system being included in the base, is what this system is all about. Not every meeting room will need one, however with this as a base, I’m certain Shure will be able to roll this out into a single mic, four-way mic and even greater options in this same range.

All USB connections on the rear are the screw-down type and we suggest screwing in the power connection when connected for the first time.

Audio knowledge is required, this is not a DIY audio solution that any end user can just jump in and use… AV integrators will be required, audio guys who understand the audio routing ‘dos and don’ts’ as well as particular room nuances are a must.

This is an excellent product and offers enough end user control to the button on the front and the USB port on the back to give customers a sense of control without needing extensive technical knowledge.

Well done Shure, I look forward to seeing what’s neXt.