Omnia Audio has released the first significant software update for its Omnia.9 FM/HD/streaming processor since its introduction in October 2011.
The new software contains new performance features, including a Dry Voice Detection circuit that reduces audible distortion on bare voices when more aggressive processing is employed to achieve greater loudness. Dedicated multiband controls are provided to adjust dry voice processing separately from music. A selectable phase rotator has also been added to restore symmetry to (and remove distortion from) voice for news, sports and talk stations.
This upgrade also introduces the new RF Bandwidth Controller, which allows management of the RF footprint for controlling multipath distortion with minimal impact on stereo imaging on all receivers.
Several new convenience features are also included. Broadcasters can now instruct Omnia.9 to automatically play songs and liners from its internal music library when silence is detected on-air. A randomise feature helps eliminate repeated songs, while auto silence trim ensures gapless playback. MP2, MP3, WAV and FLAC files can now be uploaded directly to Omnia.9 via its built-in FTP server. If one input channel is lost, Omnia.9 can also automatically switch to mono, routing audio to both channels until the missing channel is restored.
‘Many of the software improvements came to me as I spent time at the stations, learning about our customer’s needs,’ says Omnia.9 creator Leif Claesson, back from travelling throughout the US, Mexico, and South America, where he met with customers and personally installed over 30 new Omnia.9s. ‘Some were a direct result of requests by broadcast engineers. Reinventing the sound of radio one city at a time has been extremely rewarding.’
