Omnia 11 G Force

[hvz2]

Then the issue is not whether it can be done but how well the Omnia does it.

Which is answered by the video that I posted earlier. More samples can be found here: http://www.perfectdeclipper.com/samples/

Note: The video on top of that page was made with an earlier version of the algorithm. The samples below have been updated.

 

[cgould]

Hello!

Omnia.11 G-Force is a major update to the dynamics engines. This "plugin" replaces the wideband AGC, Multiband AGC, and multiband limiter algorithm. Most notable in this change is the fact that the limiters now have powerful intelligent control over their activities. This means the limiters act in a very "positive" way, and also features extremely low IMD in the process. This means there is greater clarity, punch, and detail that comes through vs. the standard "stock" dynamics core.

There is also a dynamic equalizer section that does NOT use compression for its operation. It provides a high level of spectral consistency from source-to-source without ruining dynamics characteristics. In the past, you had to gain consistency by pushing the multiband sections harder. As a result, not only do you gain consistency, but you also pick up more "mushiness".

With the dynamic EQ, you are free to focus the multiband sections on optimizing RMS energy. As a result, the dynamics section is about a couple of dBs louder by itself. This means you need LESS clipper activity to maintain the same (if not greater) loudness than before. Percussive sounds come through clearly, as does a lot of detail normally lost due to dynamics IMD.

Hans Van Zuphten's Perfect Declipper is the icing on the cake to all of this. AND it does work. On over-mastered materials it pulls out all of the percussive "punch" lost by the use of hard clipping to make the CD sound louder. Without DeClipper, running this material through pre-emphasis and broadcast clipping, the music usually sounds like doo doo. The Perfect Declipper gets rid of this layer of annoying artifacts from overmastering.

Some of you asking if G-Force is worth the investment are reporting that you have an Omnia.11 sitting on the shelf because you could not get the sound you wanted. This is perfect, as you can answer the question yourself for free. Just go to the Omnia section of the Telos Alliance website, and download the new version 3.0 update for the Omnia.11.

https://www.telosalliance.com/Omnia

Version 3.0 itself is free, and it adds more features and functionality to the standard Omnia.11. It also contains G-Force, which you can run for free in demo mode. You'll need to go to the configuration tab, and change the processing style to G-Force, and give it a whirl! Judge for yourself!

Here is a video of me giving an overview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pxDCnBsvUM

BTW, I'd like to point out that Omnia these days is much more than Frank Foti. Omnia is now Leif Claesson, Rob Dye, and me, along with increasing contributions from Hans Van Zuphten. We have done significant work in advancing the audio processing state of the art for the company. Frank does certainly contribute, but the rest of us are VERY active and in the drivers seat on product development too! Don't lose sight of this!

Sincerely,
Cornelius Gould
Audio Algorithm Developer,
Omnia Audio

 

[Chuck]

I will take your suggestion and download 3.0. (Actually, I was going to do that anyway, as soon as I get a chance) Including the demo mode for G-Force is a brilliant idea. That way I can see for myself. I'm sure it is a big improvement. The problem is I'm not a "big broadcaster," with a huge budget. My stations are not flame throwers or ratings leaders if for no other reason than, not enough power and/or an inferior location. Purchasing the Omnia 11 was a real stretch for me, and I suspect for other mom & pop stations like mine. I have to admit I was disappointed with my purchase. Maybe this will be the thing that makes me smile from ear to ear. I hope so.

If I were a huge media mogul, the cost would be negligible. I think stations like that are the core purchasers of the Omnia 11. For a small station, the cost of the upgrade is still a significant investment. It's all relative. I'm looking forward to trying the demo.

Thanks for taking the time to post your comments. I really appreciate it. I suspect that other broadcasters will too!

 

[kevtronics]

The Omnia 11 is a hideous monstrosity that cost as much as a new car and was quickly outperformed by the cheaper and smaller Omnia 9 -- itself just a PC motherboard in a box cobbled together with cable adapters and glue -- and now they're asking almost $1500 for software patches? Save that for a down payment on an AirAura instead...

 

[davideduardo]

Save that for a down payment on an AirAura instead...

You are joking, right?

 

[cgould]

The Omnia 11 is a hideous monstrosity that cost as much as a new car and was quickly outperformed by the cheaper and smaller Omnia 9 -- itself just a PC motherboard in a box cobbled together with cable adapters and glue -- and now they're asking almost $1500 for software patches?

The 3.0 "software patch" is free. The brand new (optional) dynamics plugin (creating a new audio processor) is $985.00, and the perfect declipper plugin option is $495.00.

Since the Omnia.11 hardware is flexible enough to run new algorithms, there was no need to build out an entirely new box to run the new processing algorithms.

Hey, we could have just released another $10,000+ processor box with these new features, if that is what you'd prefer. If so, that could be arranged!

;-)

-Cornelius Gould

 

[wavo]

Give us some objective numbers, kevtronics...how does the 9 "outperform" the 11?
I think either the 11 or 9 can give you pretty much any sound you want, from NPR purist to squarewaves r us. The 11 is actually a well engineered and aesthetically pleasing design...Frank was even nice enough to put nice lifting handles which fold out of the way.
I have never played with a AirAura but the one I have heard in my market is less than impressive. It sounded like a full blown, 150 band, suck and pump generator. As many have said before...most boxes can be made to sound really good or really bad.
I'm going to use the $1500 I saved for an engineering Jacuzzi...

 

[kevtronics]

The 3.0 "software patch" is free. The brand new (optional) dynamics plugin (creating a new audio processor) is $985.00, and the perfect declipper plugin option is $495.00.

So why exactly is the declipper an extra-cost option for the Omnia 11 when it comes standard with the substantially less expensive Omnia 9?

 

[wavo]

So why exactly is the declipper an extra-cost option for the Omnia 11 when it comes standard with the substantially less expensive Omnia 9?

Why do you feel Omnia should give away new technology for free?
You paid $12K+ for the software that was in the box when you bought it. Free updates are expected only to fix buggy code...not provide new processing structure(s.) Sometimes an update will include new features, sometimes not. No one should feel "entitled" to new processing for free because it does take time/money to develop a product and bring it to market.
The only real argument here is do you really need $1500 in upgrades? Don't fault Omnia for trying to market new products - that's the only way to keep Omnia profitable.

BTW...you never did provide an answer to my question. In what way(s) does the 9 outperform the 11? Is there any objective, measurable way to quantify/qualify your statement?

 

[cgould]

So why exactly is the declipper an extra-cost option for the Omnia 11 when it comes standard with the substantially less expensive Omnia 9?

Because we have to pay Hans for his technology. He'd like to profit from his ideas too! I can't speak to the business arrangement between Hans and Leif, but seeing that the 9 was introduced with the technology, but it's safe to say that Hans' DeClipper cost is built into each sale of the 9. Omnia.11 is built on more expensive hardware, custom designed for convection cooling for its CPU (no fans whatsoever)...so yeah... it's going to cost more.

-C