University College Birmingham has adopted Catchbox Plus, a wireless microphone system comprising a throwable Cube mic for audience participation and a wearable Clip mic for presenters, to replace static lectern microphones that AV lead Mike Fox said were undermining lecture capture across the university’s nine campuses.
Fox, who manages more than 350 rooms for the university’s 10,000-plus students, said hardwired lectern mics only worked when lecturers stayed at the desk, a limitation he described as incompatible with more dynamic teaching styles and the university’s shift towards hybrid learning.
Fox said audio quality complaints prompted him to look for an alternative, having heard about Catchbox through industry events and peer communities including AVIXA and LTSMG. After trialling a demo unit and presenting it to heads of schools, UCB moved ahead with the deployment.
According to Fox, the Clip resolved the lecture capture problem by following lecturers around the room, while the Cube supported audience participation during Q&As and panel discussions. Four Catchbox Plus systems are currently installed, with seven more planned.
Fox said the Catchbox Hub’s built-in DSP was a key factor in his decision, removing the need for a separate processing unit in hybrid spaces and meeting rooms that require two-way audio. He said this reduces the number of components, cost and complexity as the university continues to expand its deployment. The system’s range alarm, which activates if a mic is taken beyond the Hub’s receiver, and custom branding options have also, according to Fox, cut down on lost equipment and support tickets.
Beyond teaching spaces, Fox said Catchbox has supported UCB’s commercial activities, with the university hiring out larger venues including lecture theatres. He said demonstrating the Cube’s ease of use during audience Q&A sessions has helped secure bookings from commercial clients. The system has also been adopted in one of UCB’s communal spaces, where staff say it has improved inclusivity and engagement across assemblies, guest lectures and informal events.
Fox added: “Being a wireless mic, it can end up anywhere. But with the room number on it, you know exactly where it belongs and you can take it straight back.”
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