Shure takes a minority stake in Edge Sound Research
Shure has invested in Edge Sound Research and now holds a minority stake in the start-up. The news was made public in May 2026. Edge Sound Research develops audio technology aimed at changing how audiences experience sound, and its work has already been used in sports broadcasts.
The start-up and its founders
The company was set up in 2019 by Ethan Castro and Valtteri Salomaki, then students at the University of California, Riverside. Castro is a music producer and engineer who is hard of hearing, and his own experience shaped the idea. Salomaki works on information systems and marketing strategy.
Shure president and CEO Chris Schyvinck said the investment is meant to use Edge Sound Research's developments to support Shure's work on audio quality and new products, combining Shure's more than 100 years in the market with the start-up's technology. Salomaki said the team is glad to work with Shure on a new generation of sound experiences.
DCA901 and the Virtual Sound Engine
The two companies were already working together before the deal. Shure's DCA901, described as the first array microphone designed for broadcast, is paired with Edge Sound Research's Virtual Sound Engine. The software analyzes the audio the DCA901 captures during a game and automatically picks out and separates the individual sound objects that carry its pace and emotion. The aim is to give viewers at home a sense of presence close to that of the best seats in the venue.
The partners list benefits for several groups. Leagues get new audio formats and systems that keep production consistent across regions. Broadcasters can use premium sound in subscription tiers and offer alternate mixes. Teams and venues can use the audio in premium suites. Fans get a mix of coach instructions, player comments and crowd noise to match HD and 4K pictures. The NBA, MLS and the US Tennis Association already work with Edge Sound Research on their broadcasts, and the company says its technology can be used outside sports as well.