OMNIA 11

 

OVERVIEW: CHANGE IS GOOD

From the very beginning, the developers of the Omnia.11 were determined to create a processor which would stand head and shoulders above the legendary Omnia 06.
So, Team Omnia started with a fresh canvas.
Everything from the firmware platform, the GUI, to every algorithm was re-thought, and in most cases completely re-engineered or re-designed.  The result is unlike any existing product of its kind to date.   Omnia.11 has literally defined the new state-of-the-art for FM audio processing, as evidenced by a trifecta of awards from the three leading industry publications:  2010 Cool Stuff Award from Radio World Magazine; 2010 Pick Hit from Radio Magazine; 2010 TechInk Award for Innovation by Radio Ink Magazine.
For the first time, listeners will hear the programming, not the processor.   Effortlessly loud.   Thunderous bottom end, sparkling highs, and crisp, clear voice reproduction.  All with that trademark punch and clarity which made Omnia the required audio processor of the highest-rated radio stations in the world.
So dramatic is the advancement of Omnia.11, that initial tests have revealed that many early adopters were genuinely startled by the lack of a traditional “processor sound” when the unit was first deployed.  The low level distortion and artifacts, long accepted as part of the fundamentals of processing, are now almost completely gone and certainly not perceptible to the ear.
The firmware in Omnia.11 takes advantage of software capabilities never before possible.  The results are dynamics algorithms that were once only a dream of the processing enthusiast.   AGCs, Compressors, and Limiters analyze music in real time and adjust internal parameters for optimum performance across a broad range of material.

SOME SPECIFIC BREAKTHROUGHS AND ADVANTAGES:

Chameleon Processing Technology

A major part of this technology, the new Density Detector, enables Omnia.11 to properly handle hyper compressed content. The AGC system cannot be fooled due to heavy density, or by older source material which contains high peak-to-average levels. The density-detector keeps Omnia.11 operating on-target, at all times.

Ultra- Multiband Limiter System

Traditional limiting technology has often resulted in various forms of audio corruption.  Omnia.11’s new LoIMD technology coupled with smart gain reduction algorithms, now have limiters which sound amazingly transparent.
All AGC and limiting algorithms employ an auto acceleration/deceleration mechanism, which tunes out perceptible intermodulation distortion. The attack/release functions adjust themselves based upon content density. This breakthrough method literally analyzes the audio content in both the amplitude and frequency domain, then adapts the timing networks - on the fly - to transparently control the signal, without the control being heard. The result is revealed in added detail, clarity, and quality, yet maintaining the desired competitive loudness level.
Special attention was paid to the behavior of live voice quality.  The improved performance of the AGC and limiter functions generate live voice clarity and impact far beyond that which was previously possible.

Bass Management

The bass enhancement algorithm is a key feature of the Omnia.11.  Low end is now broadcast with recording studio-like punch and impact, with no traditional side-effects whatsoever.
Omnia.11’s exclusive bass-management method is a mixture of innovation, as well as a rearrangement of the system topology.  Achieving great sounding bass requires the most effort, partly due to the fact that the bass spectrum has the most number of harmonics, and all of these must be kept properly accounted for in the time domain. Also, any additional spectra created (enhancement) must have its harmonic content managed, or the bass region begins to sound distorted and unnatural.  This process requires much more than just traditional EQ, bass clipping/filtering, or any ordinary attempt at bass enhancement. Even the location where the function is inserted matters, as well as how it maintains its frequency range along with the rest of the system. An entire dissertation could be done on the bass enhancement/management system alone. The classic Omnia dynamically flat & time aligned crossover system has been further refined to produce smooth, rich, and full tonality. The AGC and limiter sections cannot be fooled into false gain control due to spectral density (or lack thereof) from the crossover network.

New Ultra LoIMD Distortion Controlled Clipper System

Audio processing for conventional broadcast (FM and AM) has, in some applications, reached extreme levels. Various methods are available today capable of creating LOUD competitive signals, but at the expense of perceptible quality. Through critical listening, extensive research, and evaluation of processing methods, it has been determined the single most annoying quotient is due to intermodulation distortion (IMD) induced by aggressive functions within the processing system. The algorithms are pushed to the limits, and beyond. One of the most crucial, aggressively used algorithms in the FM processor is the pre-emphasized final limiter/clipper. Omnia Engineering has developed the new Ultra LoIMD Distortion controlled clipper system specifically to reduce IMD in this critical stage of the processing.  An explanation of the new Ultra LoIMD clipper system follows shortly.
For those who feel the need to use it, there’s also a composite clipper embedded in the stereo generator.  However, to date, all of our testing has been done without any composite clipping. Pilot protection is on the order of magnitude close to 90 dB,  which is considerably more protection than necessary for even the best FM receiver.   Integrated laboratory-grade stereo generator with dual MPX outputs, 19 kHz reference output for external RDS/RBDS systems and pilot protection that provides >80 dB pilot protection - with or without composite clipping. MPX spectral low-pass filter to protect RDS/RBDS and SCA signals if composite clipping is employed.  Multiple ways to adjust the system to achieve the exact sound you’re looking for. An installation wizard will guide anyone through a simple step-by-step setup to on-air operation. Using the answers to a series of simple questions, Omnia.11 adapts itself, based upon the answers, to craft a preset which delivers the desired end result quickly for an effortless out of the box experience.

Unprecedented Access

A front panel touch screen GUI, on a 10.5" diagonal screen, provides ease of use and enhanced metering and diagnostics. Remote access is via any web browser, as well as a local onboard WI-FI connection.  Laptops to iPads will have access.
Livewire, AES/EBU digital and analog I/O is standard. Headphone soft "patch points" are available for listening through the processing chain.
Fanless cooling design built into a rugged 4 RU chassis.

Additional Features

Diversity-Delay, with ramp-in and ramp-out ability, for smooth transition and alignment of conventional analog to HD-Radio signals.(Max delay is 20 seconds)
ITU-BS-412 MPX limiter.
Dual processing paths for FM and coded audio transmissions.

In Addition

Optional RDS/RBDS generator.
Optional HD Radio time alignment method.
Optional Third-Party plug-ins for enhanced processing library/toolbox.
Optional ratings encoder and confidence monitor.  We have embedded the ratings encoder where it belongs, in the audio processor.  Just as we initiated the diversity-delay function for HD radio, Omnia innovation leads the way--again--in the broadcast transmission world.  The ratings confidence monitor does more than indicate when the encoder signal is not present.  It can e-mail or text the end-user to alert them of a failure.

Posted in: Hardware