In the heart of Birmingham

University College Birmingham started life many decades ago as a culinary arts college. Today, it spans disciplines from engineering and business to computing and beyond, spread across nine campuses in the very heart of the city. 

Working behind the scenes to help UCB’s 10,000+ students have a quality learning experience is its AV Lead Mike Fox. And when we say AV Lead, we mean the AV department – all of it.

“It is manageable, but it is a challenge,” Mike says. “It's a labour of love.”

Everything runs through Mike, from individual meeting rooms to entire buildings housing dozens of classrooms. With 350 rooms across nine campuses and more being added all the time, it’s a massive undertaking. When asked how many of those rooms need AV equipment, his answer: “Every single one of them.”

“It’s the way of the world now, isn’t it?”

For Mike, the reasoning behind universal AV coverage is straightforward. Professors love large format interactive screens, which has pushed UCB away from projectors. And hybrid learning – in its many forms – is a big part of why every space demands AV setups.

Audio in particular matters enormously, not just for in-room voice lift, but for lecture capture. UCB records lectures directly into Panopto, where they're immediately available to students, so if the audio isn't right, students notice fast.

When complaints about audio quality started rolling in, the culprit quickly became apparent. The room setup relied on hardwired microphones installed in the lecterns, which only worked if the lecturer stayed behind the desk.

This lack of mobility proved incompatible with the dynamic teaching styles the university encouraged.

Enter Catchbox Plus

Mike did his market research. Cost was a factor, as it always is. But through industry events and peer communities (AVIXA, LTSMG, and others), he kept hearing about Catchbox from other universities who had already made the switch. He reached out, got a demo unit, and brought it in front of the heads of schools.

“They were all very impressed with it,” Mike recalls and laughs that the one benefit to being a one man AV department is how straightforward choosing and procuring new tech is. 

The Clip solved the lecture capture problem immediately – a wireless, wearable mic that follows the lecturer wherever they go ensuring crisp audio. The Cube facilitated audience participation during Q&As and panel discussions.

UCB now has four Catchbox Plus systems installed across their spaces, with seven more going in soon, as Mike also works toward a Catchbox-driven mobile solution. 

Early on, some schools were concerned about the idea of throwing a microphone. 

“But once they got it in their hands and used it – yeah, I don't hear anything from them now,” Mike says.

As we hear in every case study, AV teams not hearing from users is, ironically, the highest compliment there is.

So much more than just a mobile microphone

The Catchbox Hub’s built-in DSP also played a key role in Mike’s decision. Hybrid spaces and meeting rooms with two-way audio need DSP processing, and traditionally, that means buying a separate unit. With Catchbox, it's already there, so “Not having to buy more gear” is a bonus for Mike. 

Plus, as UCB continues building out their solution, the DSP built into the Hub means fewer components, lower costs, and simpler setups across the campuses.

Catchbox’s range alarm and custom branding options have also saved Mike tickets, legwork, and misunderstandings. The alarm activates when any mic – Cube, Clip, or Stick – is taken beyond the Hub’s receiver, ensuring faculty don’t walk off still mic’d up, as well as serving as an extra security layer. 

In the unlikely scenario that a Catchbox mic does end up somewhere else, custom branding comes in especially handy. 

“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,” Mike explains. 

He adds that branding also earns the equipment a certain respect from students – a branded mic sitting in its dock just looks like it belongs there, and people tend to treat it accordingly.

Not just for classrooms

The university commercially hires out some of its larger venues, and Catchbox has quietly become one of the more persuasive tools in those conversations.

When a commercial client came in looking to hire a lecture theater and asked how they'd handle Q&A with a large audience, Mike produced the Cube – “You just chuck it into the audience, and you're away.”

“They were like, 'Well, that's fun, and it works.' And that sold the room. So our Commercial team is also very happy with Catchbox.”

Similarly, Catchbox Plus has become an engagement multiplier in one of UCB’s communal spaces. Mike was very kind to reach out to the person overseeing it for feedback and here’s what they had to say:

“At the heart of our sixth form is a large, communal space designed to bring students and staff together, fostering a shared sense of identity and belonging. Creating a culture of learning goes beyond the classroom, and this space allows us to gather as a community – whether for assemblies, guest lectures or informal events – reinforcing that every student is part of something bigger. The introduction of Catchbox Plus has been transformative in this regard. It ensures that every voice can be heard clearly, from visiting speakers and industry professionals to teachers and students themselves, building confidence and encouraging wider participation.

The flexibility this has unlocked has significantly enhanced how the space is used. It now operates seamlessly as an assembly hall, teaching environment, conference venue and celebration space, adapting to the needs of a dynamic sixth form. Crucially, the improved audio provision has made the environment more inclusive – removing barriers to engagement and ensuring all students can access and contribute to shared experiences. Whether we are hosting external partners, showcasing student work or simply coming together as a community, the space now truly reflects the ambition and vibrancy of our sixth form.”

It all started with a Catchbox Plus demo unit and the experience has been transformative across campuses, spaces, and use cases. And with more systems on the way, Mike isn’t worried, because, ultimately, it’ll be less work, not more. 

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