How the Savannah Bananas Use Shure DCA to Improve Broadcast Audio

At IBC 2026, AVNation’s Tim Albright chatted with Sean McCluskey of the Savannah Bananas about how the team is using Shure’s DCA microphone to bring more of the live game experience into its broadcasts.

The Savannah Bananas entered the 2026 season with a specific goal: make the game sound on the broadcast more like it sounds inside the venue. That is challenging in a production environment filled with music, fans, players, and constant activity.

McCluskey explained that the team wanted to capture sounds that are central to baseball, including a foot hitting the base and the sound of the bat making contact with the ball. Traditional shotgun microphones alone would have required multiple microphones positioned around the field.

The DCA became another tool in that production workflow. The team tested the microphone during its offseason preparation, using positions around first base, third base, and behind home plate. The production team created presets and identified specific microphone lobes for different areas of the stadium.

Rather than replacing the team’s existing microphones, the DCA became part of a larger audio toolkit. McCluskey said the Savannah Bananas still use shotgun microphones and other microphones around the stadium, while the DCA provides additional options for isolating specific areas and moments.

Training was also an important part of the deployment. The production team used its preseason period to experiment with the microphone and practice different situations before taking the workflow into the 2026 season. The team ultimately used the approach across its 190-game schedule.

The impact is being measured not only by the production team but also by audience response. McCluskey said fans have commented on the broadcast sounding more like being at the game, helping bring elements of the live venue into the home viewing experience.

or more information on Shure DCA and its use in the Savannah Bananas broadcast workflow, visit Shure. To watch the full interview and explore more IBC 2026 coverage from the show floor, visit AVNation.tv.