Nugen Audio continue to develop and improve their range of products and have announced a number of developments that they are planning to show off at IBC at the beginning of September.

Leq(m) Loudness Standard Support

Nugen Audio are going to introduce Leq(m) measurement into a range of its existing solutions. Leq(m) is the approved standard in cinema trailer production  and so support of Leq(m) will complement the ITU loudness measurement capabilities already available in Nugen Audio loudness products. Leq(m) functionality will be offered as a free update for Nugen's recently announced VisLM-H2 loudness meter, LM-Correct 2 loudness quick fix tool, and LMB processor for batch loudness analysis and correction on multiple files, hopefully in time for IBC this year. 

New Server-Based Seat Licensing for Mid-Sized to Large Enterprises

As Nugen Audio's products have become used so commonly in studios and broadcasters, both large and small all over the world, the administration and cost of multiple licenses has been an issue. I was only discussing this very issue recently with a head of department in the BBC here in the UK about this very challenge. So it is great to see that Nugen Audio are responding to this need.  Nugen Audio will offer cutting-edge server-based seat licensing technology designed to streamline and centralize the license management process for mid to large sized clients. This efficiency enhancement will initially be available for all of the company's loudness products as well as the new Halo Upmix stereo-to-5.1/7.1 surround upmixer.

Stereo-to-5.1/7.1 Upmixing

Nugen Audio is busy developing a range of proprietary new processes for upmixing stereo audio to 5.1/7.1 surround in TV and film productions. They are combining several technologies including frequency and time domain energy distribution and neural network artificial intelligence, to produce an innovative new process enables producers to target various upmix goals including full stable surrounds, exact downmix matching, and/or full dialog isolation. The first Nugen Audio product to include this new technology will be their Halo Upmix tool, which will be announced fully at IBC2015. They are planning that Halo Upmix will be available in Avid AAX, VST, and AU formats.

Loudness Survey

Recently Nugen Audio launched a loudness survey to the Film & TV Post, and Music & Production community from March to May 2015. They have gathered responses, from almost 2500 respondents from over 75 different countries, and it’s clear that loudness is of significant interest right across the audio production landscape. You can request a copy of the results of the Nugen Audio Loudness Survey here and there are some interesting results that come out of it.

One is that the music industry take up is surprisingly strong showing they they are using loudness to help in the mastering process and also to deliver music mixes for TV productions that are in the zone.

They other that I found very interesting is the implementation of loudness in different territories and countries, especially for compliance and in house quality control. Two countries stand out and they are France and Germany with around 60% take up. UK and the US come next at around 40% and Australia and Canada with around 35%. Japan is remarkably low with around 12%.