fernLoudness is a feature, presented as a new PIPE element, which will make aixtream systems handle automatic loudness control according to the parameters you have defined. This will make manual volume adjustment on your end a thing of the past. According to your requirements, loudness will be regulated by the aixtream system which internally measures and adjusts the dB values of your audio inputs before they are streamed out. You will be able to adjust the values for dB correction ranges, target loudness and timing intervals exactly as your use case requires, so the loudness adjustment is as smooth as you need it to be.
Hauke Krüger, CTO of Ferncast, had this to say: “Our efforts to develop a loudness module are based on the extensive experience of our team. They all have a background in signal processing thanks to their research at the IKS, RWTH Aachen and it really shows. Our tool box covers hundreds of different algorithms, so we had a good basis to start with for our own loudness control. Now, we are optimising the algorithm together with our closest customers to obtain the highest possible mutual benefit.”
Of course there are many use cases that will benefit from this kind of automation and optimisation. Perhaps the biggest winners are online audio streaming and audio-on-demand applications, which profit greatly from optimised workflows for 24/7 use. Other broadcasting applications will enjoy similar benefits.
The Ferncast loudness control covers the full bandwidth of input dynamics in its measurements and subsequently delivers output signals of a consistent, pre-configured R 128 rated loudness level according to the user’s configuration. After the initial configuration, any necessary adjustments the systems has to make to the loudness levels happen entirely automatic. It allows sound designers to employ fast frequency selective compression schemes (dynamic processing) to control short-term dynamics as well as long-term level control (loudness processing) to preserve a natural sound – just as it best meets the need and desire of the operator.
The dynamic processing supports the following features:
- Input and output compressors allow limiting and fast full band control.
- Definition of band edge frequencies allows accurate design of the multi-band filter-bank.
- Individual compressor configurations can be specified for input and output compressors as well as for the compressor in each individual band of the filter-bank.
In order to take into account human audio perception, the loudness processing control circuitry involves the R 128 loudness measure to analyse current and long-term audio loudness and is also the basis for all applied level corrections. This way the system prevents situations in which the listeners can make out a jarring loudness adjustment.
For this purpose all variables of the control can be configured, including time constants, target values and processing limits. If desired, the user can receive feedback to better visualise the impact of currently applied correction limitations.
fernLoudness will soon be available for all aixtream products and can be used for every kind of PIPE configuration and use case.
Visit https://www.ferncast.com