NBC Sports is pushing the boundaries of motorsports broadcasting by employing DPA Microphones’ 4062 Omnidirectional Miniature Lavaliers in unconventional ways, bringing fans closer to the action than ever before. These microphones, strategically placed in areas like the front of a car’s rear quarter panel or inside a driver’s helmet, are transforming the way viewers experience NASCAR races.
Matt Hogencamp, director of remote technical operations for motorsports at NBC Sports, emphasizes the importance of these microphones in capturing the raw, gritty sounds of racing. “In NASCAR, grams matter, and race cars generate brutal wind speeds, punishing vibration, extreme temperature shifts and showers of track debris,” he said. “We needed mics that were small enough to hide, light enough to avoid affecting aerodynamics and strong enough to survive extreme conditions lap after lap, while still delivering top-tier audio. The 4062 checked every box and gave us a real leg up in the sound department.”
The impact of these microphones extends beyond novelty. They allow viewers to hear the subtle yet crucial sounds that define a race, such as the scrape of a car skidding along the wall or the eerie silence of ‘dirty air’ when one car tucks in behind another. Hogencamp notes that these sounds can change how viewers experience the race, making them feel as if they are right there in the car with the driver.
The microphones also capture the unfiltered thoughts of drivers mid-race, providing an intimate look into the adrenaline-fueled monologues that drivers typically keep to themselves. Hogencamp explains, “When we put a mic under the hood, our viewers can hear the engine in a way that changes how they experience the race. It’s like they are in the car themselves. Even more revealing, viewers can now catch a driver’s unfiltered thoughts mid-race—the adrenaline-laced monologue they usually have on their own, as they hurtle toward a 200-mile-per-hour turn.”
The durability and consistency of the DPA 4062 microphones have also been game-changers for NBC Sports. Hogencamp highlights their reliability during multiday events, where crews have little time for repairs. “Durability is another win,” he said. “During multiday events, where crews have little time for repairs, the DPA mics kept running, meaning we had fewer midrace swaps and less risk of losing key audio moments. Quick mounting and low maintenance also made life easier in the high-pressure environment of race day, where every second of setup time is precious.”
As NBC Sports continues to innovate in motorsports broadcasting, the integration of DPA microphones represents a significant step forward. Hogencamp expresses confidence that this blend of technical ingenuity and creative risk-taking will make the audio side of the sport more immersive than ever. “We’re always looking for new ways to put viewers closer to the action,” he said. “With DPA, we’re not just showing them the race—we’re letting them feel it.”
This development could shape the future of motorsports broadcasting by encouraging other networks and production companies to explore similar innovations. As viewers become more accustomed to these immersive audio experiences, the demand for even more advanced and creative uses of technology in sports broadcasting may increase. This could lead to a new era of storytelling in sports, where audio plays a central role in bringing fans closer to the action.
