Overview

SOUND4 STREAM X8 is the cream of the crop in the range of tools dedicated to Webradio Processing and Encoding. It can process eight radio streams on a single PCI express card and has a streaming engine providing 6 streams per channel, for an unprecedented total of 48 streams. Each of them uses the latest generation of codecs - AAC, HE-AAC, HE-AAC v.2 and MP3. This tool comes with 8 inputs and 8 outputs through Audio Driver (WDM/Direct Sound) and/or AES67/Livewire and is compatible with all Axia and RAVENNA products. It can be used as a resource that can be routed and placed anywhere in a Livewire chain, without the need to break it.

Developed to offer clients only the best, the SOUND4 STREAM X8 includes a true sound processing chain dedicated to webstreaming and also features the “Predictive HQSound” algorithm which optimizes codec results and reduces compression-induced sound artifacts. In terms of encoding, the SOUND4 STREAM X8 offers a complete and innovative solution. With its high-quality encoding engine, it suits every audio device profile. It also includes a sound optimizer for very low encoding rates (16 kbps, 24 kbps, 32kbps) and incorporates adaptive processing which can correct each stream independently in order to compensate for the sound difference due to encoding. Thus, a radio station can easily generate different streams that suit the targeted audience - low-rate for mobile phones or high-rate for home devices. The SOUND4 STREAM X8 is compatible with most of the standards used for streaming delivery systems - Flash, Darwin, Helix, Wowza, Icecast 2, Shoutcast v.1 & v.2, etc. Being able to operate with many types of automation software, it also offers advanced metadata management.

The 3-band processing uses a single S.I.S. (Sound Impact System) algorithm, which guarantees the gain in each of the bands to ensure complete sound stability. The Wide Band Automatic Gain Control reduces gaps in the level applied to the processor, whereas the Tone FX feature makes it possible to "color" the sound before the dynamic processing. It combines a 4-band parametric Equalizer and an effect system that strengthens high and low frequencies. The Stereo FX Enhancer is 100% mono-compatible, the 4-Band Limiter prepares the work of the final limiter, and the Brick Wall Limiter provides strong gain limitation.

Advanced metadata management and the user-friendly remote control interface are also important assets of this product.

SOUND4 STREAM x8 - The First Solution of its Kind

SOUND4 is delighted to bring to the attention of our customers a solution the likes of which have so far never been introduced to the broadcasting market. The SOUND4 STREAM x8 is the very first multi-channel processor dedicated to WebRadio bouquets. It has the capability of simultaneously and independently processing a total of eight radio streams on a single PCI express card.

The SOUND4 STREAM x8 offers 8 inputs and 8 outputs through Audio Driver (WDM/Direct Sound) and/or AES67/Livewire. The streaming engine can provide 6 streams per channel for an unparalleled total of 48 streams. Each stream is set on the latest codecs generation (AAC, HE-AAC, HEAACv2 , as well as MP3).

A True Processing Chain

Created to offer clients only the best, the SOUND4 STREAM x8 includes a true sound processing chain dedicated to webstreaming:

• AGC
• Tone FX
• Stereo FX
• 3-Band Process
• 4-Band Limiter
• Brickwall Limiter

The SOUND4 STREAM x8 also features the “Predictive HQSound” algorithm which optimizes codec results and reduces compression-induced sound artifacts.

Advanced Coding Solutions

In terms of encoding, the SOUND4 STREAM x8 offers a complete and innovative solution.

The SOUND4 STREAM x8 has a high quality encoding engine that suits every IP audio device profile. Indeed, it is the first processor that includes a sound optimizer for very low encoding rates (16 kbps, 24 kbps, 32kbps).

Another clever bit of SOUND4 STREAM x8 innovation is the adaptive processing which can correct each stream independently in order to compensate for the sound difference due to encoding. Thus, a radio station can easily generate different streams that suit the targeted audience, low-rate for mobile phones, high-rate for home devices, with homogeneous sound whatever the encoder used.

Finally, the SOUND4 STREAM x8 adapts to most of the standards used for streaming delivery systems - Flash, Darwin, Helix, Wowza, Icecast 2, Shoutcast v1 & v2, etc.

SOUND4 STREAM x8 and the Livewire standard

Livewire* is the popular IP-Audio networking standard which uses Ethernet to provide an easy way of routing and sharing audio and logic throughout the broadcast plant.

"Everyone agrees that IP-Audio is the future. There are already more than 1,500 studios around the world powered by Axia Livewire networks," says Axia Vice-President Marty Sacks. With the Livewire* system, a single Ethernet cable carries in real time all mics, as well as uncompressed digital audio, device control messages, program-associated data and even routine network traffic. One of the advantages of the SOUND4 VOICE ULA is its capacity to work as a resource that can be routed and inserted anywhere in the Livewire* chain.

Advanced Metadata Management

In terms of Metadata, the SOUND4 STREAM x8 is compatible with different standard formats and can interface with many types of automation software thanks to an XML-based gateway (A2I, BE, BSI, Enco, Jazler, Netia, NextGen, RCS, Winmedia).

Software Options Available *

• Mix Engine & 3D matrix

* All Software Options are subject to an additional payment. For pricing please Contact Us.

The STREAM x8 is a device that impresses with the trademark SOUND4 quality. It was developed as the ultimate processing/coding solution and its top performance is guaranteed by a number of outstanding features.

The SOUND4 STREAM x8 PCIe Card

• PCI Express x1 card (compatible with x2, x4, x8 and x16 slots)
• 100% autonomous in terms of resources
• Ethernet 100 Base T Livewire compatible
• DSP computing power: 8 Giga Flops (Sharc 40 bits with floating point)
• GUI and drivers compatible 32 & 64 bits (Windows 7, Windows 8 & 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11, 2008 R2, 2012 and Linux (Debian))
• Multicard driver (the quantity of PCIe slots will be equal to the number of cards admissible in the same PC)
• Start-up time of the SOUND4 STREAM x8: 15 seconds max to being On Air
• 100% upgradeable and rapid update (only a 15-second sound interruption).

Processing

• 4 to 8 independent channels
• HQ sound, 192 kHz sound processing
  • AGC
  • Tone FX
  • 3-Band Processor
  • 4-Band Limiter
  • Brickwall Limiter
• Presets centralization and sharing
• Link & Share ready
• Ultra-low delay ~5 milliseconds

 

Codecs

• MP3: 32 to 320 kbps
• AAC: 8 to 264 kbps
• HEAAC v1: 24 to 72 kbps
• HEAAC v2: 16 to 44 kbps

 

Compatible with All Delivery Standards

• Darwin
• Flash
• Helix
• Shoutcast v1 & v2
• Icecast 2
• Wowza

Protocols: HTTP/ICY, RTSP/RTP Unicast, RTP Multicast, RTMP, RTMPE, RTMPS, RTMPTE, RTMPTS.

Automatic SDP files generation for RTP Multicast receivers.

 

User-friendly Control Interface

Through the years, SOUND4 has come to be associated not only with the quality of our products, but also with their user-friendly interfaces. The SOUND4 VOICE ULA is part of this long tradition, with a number of assets to allow users easy access, setting and operability.

• Easy control of all radio at your fingertips.
• Sound setting from one single screen - you no longer need to open and close windows to go from one function to another.
• Two modes - “Basic” and “Advanced”. Basic - provides simplicity and rapidity; Advanced - allows you to explore all of the processor functionalities.
• Ultra-rapid VU meter for true control over modulation.
• Unlimited “Undo/Redo” versioning function for presets with possibility of recall.
• Innovative “compare” function with reference notion.
• Log function for presets.
• A remote connection manager to control several processors.
• Works with the following operating systems: Microsoft XP SP3, Seven 32& 64 bits, Height 32 & 64 bits, Height 1, 2008 R2, 2012, Linux (Debian).

 

Preset Sharing

Thanks to Preset sharing, it is possible to share presets between cards. This is a real advantage for operators who will use a large number of cards, as their own preset will be accessible from all channels.

Practically there is no limitation for the Preset Sharing functionality, even if cards are not in the same network map. Preset Sharing uses UDP protocol.

Wide Band AGC

One of the main processing functions of the SOUND4 STREAM x8 is the Wide Band AGC - automatic gain control, operating in broad band. Its main purpose is to “even out” gaps of levels in terms of processing.

The algorithm which was especially developed for this AGC is of the predictive type. It allows very high sound variations without any sort of pumping. Compared with other processors, control of the input gain is greatly facilitated.

Tone FX

The Tone FX makes coloring of sound before dynamic processing possible. To do so, it groups together two types of processing functions:

• A 4-band parametric equalizer;
• An effect system making it possible to strengthen low frequencies and high frequencies.

The two functions offer results that are entirely different, which is why they are gathered on one single screen.

In Basic mode, use of the four parametric equalizers is simplified to the maximum. Only the gain for each correction is accessible. For FX Bass and FX Treble, dosage of the effect is also made accessible.

In Advanced mode, users have access to all equalizer parameters (gain, frequency and Q factor).

Stereo FX

SOUND4 STREAM x8 has a true stereo enlarger, 100% mono-compatible. Its role is to sublimate the existing stereo image. It will thus never create stereo in mono sources.

The 3-Band Process

The 3-band Process is the heart of dynamic processing. The SOUND4 VOICE ULA algorithm guarantees the gain in each of the bands in order to complete sound stabilization. “Coloring” is controlled by the fidelity parameter. Thus, it is possible to have a purist and a colored sound texture.

The 3-band Process is achieved through the revolutionary algorithm S.I.S. (Sound Impact System), which makes it possible to maintain the authenticity of the original sound attacks.

The 3-band Process is extremely powerful and capable of absorbing very high variations of sound on its own, which is why it is not always necessary for the input AGC to operate.

The 4-Band Limiter

The main purpose of the 4-band Limiter is to prepare the work of the final limiter. It is also provided with a very powerful predictive algorithm, which has been simplified to the maximum, so that it is not encumbered with useless parameters.

The Brickwall Limiter

The Brickwall Limiter is an advanced algorithm which provides strong gain limitation, guaranteeing that there are no overs and no clipping.

SOUND4 STREAM x8 is offering as an option the Kantar Media Audio Watermarking Technology for audience rating.

Today, listening Internet radio constitutes a significant market share which also needs to be surveyed. In SOUND4 STREAM x8, watermaking is done directly in the streaming engine after the processing stages to ensure maximum watermarking quality.

IMPORTANT: SOUND4 STREAM x8, is only able to watermark encoded streams, AES-67/LW outputs are not watermarked. If you need to watermark AES-67/LW outputs, please use SOUND4 STREAM x2 or x4.

About Kantar Media watermarking technology

SNAP audio watermarking technology by Kantar has been designed for TV and Radio audience measurement. In addition, it can also be used for the synchronization of second screen application. SNAP watermarking carries 2 types of information, a channel identifier and a timestamp for linear content and a timecode for non-linear content.

Audio watermarking technology can be described by 3 main properties which are the inaudibility of the watermarking, the amount of data carried by the watermarking and the robustness of the watermarking.

The SNAP technology remains inaudible thanks to a very complex acoustic model and preserves the quality of the sound. This is a crucial property for TV channels and Radio stations that spend time and money to get the best quality for their sound. Regarding the amount of data, the SNAP technology proposes a single payload for Channel and Content identification. Robustness of SNAP watermarking to broadcast chain is also a key element. SNAP is robust to low encoding bitrates, and to adaptive bitrates. Don’t hesitate to contact Kantar support to get bitrate recommendations depending on the audio codec.