Blackmagic's New Ambisonic Microphone Records 7th-Order Spatial Audio Over One USB-C Cable for $1,909

Blackmagic Design introduced the Blackmagic Ambisonic Microphone, a 108-capsule MEMS array with a built-in spatial encoder that records 7th-order ambisonics over a single USB-C cable. Capturing spatial audio for immersive video now comes down to one cable into a camera, computer or iPhone.

• 108 capsules, one encoded output. The built-in encoder converts all 108 MEMS microphones to live 7th-order ambisonics, delivered as 64 channels of 32-bit audio.
• One cable, no drivers. Audio and power share a single USB-C connection, and the mic is USB class compliant, so there are no drivers or plug-ins to install.
• Records into URSA Cine Immersive files. Mounted on Blackmagic's immersive camera, the mic records spatial audio directly into the camera's immersive files, in sync.
• Apple-licensed array geometry and encoders. Blackmagic CEO Grant Petty said Apple licensed the array geometry and ambisonic encoding filters, and Blackmagic handled the engineering and design.
• $1,909, or $2,405 as a location kit. The kit adds a windshield and a locking USB-C cable to the mic and mount.

The encoder inside the mic turns 108 capsules into 64 channels of 7th-order ambisonics

The internal processor uses Apple's encoding filters to convert the capsule signals into 7th-order ambisonics in real time, according to postPerspective. No computer, breakout box or encoding software is required.

Blackmagic's product page lists the output as 64 channels of 32-bit audio from a rugged aluminum body. Newsshooter reports that all 64 channels and power run over the one USB-C cable, removing the need for external multichannel preamps or recorders.

The capsules sit flush in a faceted body small enough to fit in the palm of a hand or mount on top of a camera. The standard model ships with the Blackmagic Ambisonic Microphone Mount.

On URSA Cine Immersive, spatial audio lands in the camera's immersive files

The microphone is designed to sit on top of Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive, the company's $30,375 camera with dual 8K sensors and a custom lens system. Once the mic is plugged in, the camera captures picture and spatial audio together in the same immersive files.

That camera is built specifically to capture Apple Immersive Video for Apple Vision Pro, so the mic gives that pipeline a spatial audio source at capture.

Off the camera, the mic connects to a computer or iPhone over USB-C. On a computer, you can record and mix 3D audio live in Fairlight Live, and on iPhone you can record with the Blackmagic Camera app.

The mic is also built to pair with DaVinci Resolve Studio. For broadcast work, a USB to SMPTE-2110 converter is available.

Petty said the product grew out of the camera project: “This microphone started when we were collaborating with Apple on the Blackmagic Ursa Cine Immersive camera.”

According to Petty, Apple licensed the array geometry and encoding filters while Blackmagic did the engineering and design, producing a mic that plugs in with one cable to “capture true spatial audio.” Blackmagic calls it the world's first 7th-order ambisonic microphone.

$1,909 for the microphone, $2,405 for a location kit, both due in December 2026

The Blackmagic Ambisonic Microphone costs $1,909 and includes the mount, according to Blackmagic's product page. The Blackmagic Ambisonic Microphone Kit costs $2,405 and adds a windshield for reducing wind noise on location plus a locking USB-C cable for secure attachment.

Both versions are listed as coming in December 2026 through Blackmagic Design resellers.