How Catchbox challenges the status quo in Pro Audio

May 12, 2025

In a world where technology is often overcomplicated, Catchbox stands out by doing the opposite—making professional audio intuitive, accessible, and human. From the iconic throwable Cube microphone to the hands-free Clip mic, Catchbox has embraced design thinking not just as a buzzword, but as a philosophy grounded in real user needs.

Behind every product is a simple goal: remove friction, encourage participation, and make great audio accessible by anyone.

The Problem: Audio Tech Wasn’t Designed for the People Using It

Walk into a typical lecture hall or meeting room and you'll likely find a microphone that requires an instruction manual to operate. Most of this equipment was designed for AV professionals, not for the professors, presenters, or students who are using it.

“Professional audio was never really built with the everyday user in mind,” says Pyry Taanila, co-founder and Chief Design Officer at Catchbox. “That’s the core problem we wanted to solve.”

Catchbox’s journey began with a simple question: What if we made pro-level audio tech so simple anyone could walk in, pick them up, and just start talking?

Design Thinking That Starts With Empathy

Catchbox applies a human-centered design process that prioritizes empathy. Every decision—from product shape to interface—begins with real-world observation: Where are users struggling? What’s slowing them down? What’s getting in the way of natural communication?

Instead of adding features, Catchbox strips them back to what’s essential. No pairing steps. No tiny switches. No guesswork.

The result is a product experience that’s intuitive from the first interaction.

Building on the success of the Cube, Catchbox introduced the Clip microphone to improve the presenter’s experience. The Clip eliminates the hassle of traditional lavaliers—no wires, no belt packs, no tech anxiety.

Users pick it up from the charger, clip it on, and it’s instantly ready. A single mute button keeps things simple. There’s nothing extra to learn or manage. Whether you’re a professor or a CEO, you can focus on your message, not your gear.

“Our goal was to make presenters feel confident and unburdened,” Pyry says. “If they have to think about how to use the mic, we’ve already failed.”

True simplicity isn’t just about fewer buttons—it’s about removing friction at every level. That includes setup, maintenance, and integration. The Catchbox Plus Hub, which connects all devices in the system, comes with built-in audio processing so there’s no need for additional DSP units or complex routing.

This all-in-one approach reduces equipment needs, simplifies AV workflows, and ensures reliable audio without expert intervention.

Empowering People, Not Just Rooms

What makes Catchbox different is that it’s not just solving technical problems—it’s solving human ones. The company’s design thinking ensures that every product lowers the barrier to participation, empowers speakers, and removes the pressure from non-technical users.

“We’re not designing only for AV pros,” Pyry says. “We’re also designing for the people actually using the room—professors, colleagues, moderators and audiences.”

By making professional audio as easy as flipping a light switch, Catchbox is redefining how communication happens in classrooms, company meetings, and beyond.

Final Thought: Simplicity Is the Future

In an age of overengineered tech, simplicity is a radical act. Catchbox’s user-first design proves that innovation isn’t about adding more—it’s about making less feel like more.

Because when audio technology just works, people can focus on what truly matters: connection, communication, and contribution.