Omnia Audio Omnia.9/XE - Manual (Page 96)

Getting the Sound You Want
Achieving a High Quality Sound
When all-out loudness isn’t your primary processing goal (and it shouldn’t be with streaming audio), here
are some suggestions to help you achieve that goal:
• Reduce the Final Limiter Drive in 0.25dB steps until you reach the point where the quality no longer
dramatically improves but you start to lose loudness - then go back up a notch. It’s surprising how
much a small change can open up your sound.
• Reduce the level of the Band Mix section, especially if you have increased the output of one or two
particular bands to achieve a particular sound.
• Raise the threshold of the Multiband Limiters to keep the audio from hitting the limiters as hard or
as often. (You may need to lower the Band Mix level to keep from driving the final limiter too hard
when making this adjustment).
• Lower the targets of the Multiband AGC compressors
• Use slower attack and release speeds in the Input AGC, Wideband AGC, and Multiband AGC
sections.
• Use “looser” ratios in the Input AGC, Wideband AGC, and Multiband AGC sections.
Spectral Consistency & Equalization
Stations often want to create their own “signature sound” for their streams that present a spectrally
consistent output without regard to the frequency balance of the original source material.
There are basically three ways to alter the spectral balance of your sound with Omnia.9/XE, and each
provides a different end result: The Parametric Equalizer, the Multiband AGC Targets, and the Band
Mix control. Adjustments to each section can produce somewhat similar or very different outcomes
depending upon a variety of factors.
• The Parametric EQ is a very versatile and powerful means by which to shape your sound. You can
set up a shelving EQ to create low bass “slam,” set up a broad, gentle cut to the high-mids to
smooth out horns or female vocalists, or add some “air” or “sparkle” to your sound by adding a bit of
a boost to the very top of the spectrum.
Because the Parametric EQ is located fairly early in the processing chain and ahead of the
Multiband AGC and Limiters, these processing sections are likely to make some attempt to
compensate for large changes in the spectrum. However, because the crossover slopes of the
multiband processors are relatively broad, the Parametric EQ can have more impact than you might
expect.
Finally, remember that EQ is a static process. That is, it increases or reduces gain to a particular
part of the spectrum irrespective of program content. In other words, if you apply 8dB of bass boost
it is applied to all incoming audio whether it is bass shy or bass heavy.
Getting the Sound You Want
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