Audio-Technica Brings To Market Two New Stereo Mics

Why It Matters

The new MS‑type mics give broadcasters and field recordists precise stereo control and mono‑compatible depth, addressing long‑standing challenges in live and on‑the‑go audio capture. Their flexible mounting options and competitive pricing broaden Audio‑Technica’s appeal in the professional broadcast market.

Key Takeaways

• BP350ST-UB and BP350ST-UL use mid‑side capsule design.
• Both mics offer selectable wide, narrow, and MS stereo modes.
• UB includes boundary housing and gooseneck for discreet placement.
• UL is a compact shotgun with 6.3″ interference tube.
• Pricing: UB $799, UL $749, targeting broadcast professionals.

Pulse Analysis

Audio‑Technica’s BP350ST‑UB and BP350ST‑UL expand the company’s microphone portfolio with true mid‑side (MS) stereo technology, a format prized for its post‑production flexibility. Each mic houses independent cardioid (or line‑cardioid) and figure‑of‑eight elements, allowing engineers to capture a conventional left‑right pair or a discrete MS signal that can be decoded into any stereo width later. The built‑in AT8547 power module adds a switchable 80 Hz high‑pass filter and lets users toggle between wide, narrow, and MS modes, delivering consistent channel separation and minimizing comb‑filter artifacts.

For broadcasters, ENG crews, and documentary makers, the UB’s low‑profile boundary housing and 5‑inch gooseneck enable near‑invisible placement in conference rooms, theaters, or sports venues, while the UL’s 16 cm interference tube provides focused pickup for distant subjects on camera rigs. Both models support dual‑XLR3‑M outputs, making them compatible with standard field mixers and phantom‑powered preamps. The MS architecture ensures that when stereo tracks are summed to mono—a common requirement for radio or streaming—the audio retains depth and intelligibility, a notable advantage over traditional stereo pairs.

At $799 for the UB and $749 for the UL, the microphones sit competitively against other professional MS solutions, which often exceed $1,000. By bundling versatile mounting accessories, windshields, and protective cases, Audio‑Technica lowers the total cost of ownership for small production teams. The launch reinforces the brand’s strategy to capture a larger share of the broadcast and field‑recording market, where demand for high‑quality, flexible stereo capture continues to rise amid growing multi‑platform content distribution.