Overview

SOUND4 VOICE ULA4 is a top-performance PCI Express card voice processor capable of processing a total of 4 channels. It is characterized by 100% compatibility with all Axia and RAVENNA products and can be used as a resource which can be routed and placed anywhere in a Livewire chain. With Livewire, a single Ethernet cable carries in real time all mics, uncompressed digital audio, device control messages, program-associated data and even routine network traffic. With VOICE ULA4, you do not have to break the Livewire chain.

The key to the performance of this product is the outstanding processing structure that incorporates the Sound4-patented HQSound 192kHz Audio Processing Engine, an advanced DeEsser, which automatically tracks sibilance frequencies, and a powerful 3-band processor. The 3-band noise gate ensures general sound optimization. Thanks to the HQSound algorithms, the Noise Gate is extremely reactive in terms of opening and closing Gates, while the Advanced detection mode provides users with access to Thresholds, Target, Hold Time and Release Time. The 4-band parametric Equalizer provides the final touches in the sound setup, whereas the brick wall limiter accounts for the strong gain limitation.

SOUND4 VOICE ULA4 boasts adaptability to all kinds of voice and guarantees that audio airs a maximum of 15 seconds after start-up of the PCIe. Via the Session Recall option, you can save all Mic affectations and loaded user presets, then recall them in one click. This is a product that allows for work in multiple live and production studios, providing users with access to their own presets in each studio. If a user preset is modified in one studio, all other studios will be automatically updated.

An extremely useful product, it also has an user-friendly remote control interface to further facilitate access, setup and operability.

First of its Kind

The SOUND4 VOICE ULA4 is a high-quality tool with the capability of processing 4 channels. A multichannel voice processor, it boasts full compatibility with all Axia and RAVENNA products and it can be used as a resource which can be routed and placed anywhere in a Livewire* chain. Its intelligent processing structure is based on the Sound4-patented HQSound 192kHz Audio Processing Engine and incorporates several important features which include an advanced DeEsser, a 3-band noise gate, a 3-band processor, a 4-band parametric EQ, as well as a brick wall limiter and an impressive adaptability to all kinds of voice. Audio airs a maximum of 15 seconds after booting the unit. The SOUND4 VOICE ULA4 is cost-effective, easy to access, set up and operate via the control interface and it provides a number of features with the trademark SOUND4 reliability and performance. It allows for work in multiple live and production studios, providing users access to their own presets in each studio. If a user preset is modified in one studio, all other studios will be automatically updated. The tool also offers the Session Recall option, allowing you to save all Mic affectations and loaded user presets, then recall them in one click.

With the VOICE ULA4, SOUND4 has developed a cutting-edge product to meet the strictest customer demands in terms of affordability, design and functionality.

Universal Lan Audio Version

Although the SOUND4 VOICE exists in several versions, the Livewire & RAVENNA compatible version deserves special mention as it is the first multichannel voice processor 100% compatible with all Axia and RAVENNA products.

Livewire* is the audio-over-Ethernet standard created by Axia Audio that provides easy routing and sharing of broadcast-quality audio. "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.

An especially cost-effective solution, the SOUND4 VOICE ULA will catch your Mic ID (from nodes or mixers), process separately each channel and then send it back to the mixer on a new ID.

Much more than a simple combination between a noise gate and a compressor

SOUND4 VOICE ULA is powered by the revolutionary HQSound 192kHz Audio Processing Engine – a SOUND4-patented technology.

Its processing structure includes an advanced DeEsser, a 3-band noise gate, a 3-band processor, a 4-band parametric EQ, as well as a brick wall limiter. All those features make it much more than just a combination between a noise gate and a compressor. SOUND4 VOICE ULA is flexible and offers impressive adaptability to all kinds of voice. A wide range of possibilities is at your disposal – from natural to loud and structured, all tones can be achieved in just a few clicks.

Due to its advanced set of features, the SOUND4 VOICE ULA is also the perfect solution for production studios.

A Voice Processor Dedicated to Live Studios

A stand-out new feature that our team introduces with the SOUND4 VOICE ULA is the “Session Recall”. It allows you to save all Mic affectations and loaded user presets, then recall all in one click. SOUND4 VOICE ULA is also externally automatable for dayparts automatic sessions recall.

Software Options Available *

• 1 channel extension for SOUND4 Voice A/D
• Breakout cable for Voice A/D (Sub-D 62 to XRL In/out)

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

The SOUND4 VOICE ULA is an innovative solution we have created with the aim of bringing you the multifunctionality that we value so highly. Here are just a few of the features that guarantee the high quality of our product.

The SOUND4 VOICE ULA 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 VOICE ULA card: 15 seconds max to being On Air
• 100% upgradeable and rapid update (only a 15-second sound interruption).

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.

• Control of all mics on one screen
• Sound setting from one single screen - you no longer need to open and close windows to go from one function to another.
• Two modes - Easy and Full. Easy - provides simplicity and rapidity; Full - allows you to explore all of the processor functionalities. There are also ultra-rapid VU meters 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, 2008 R2, Linux (Debian)

Processing

• 1 to 8 independent channels**
• Outputs - independent or mixed in 1 or 2 buses
• HQ Sound 192 kHz Sound Processing:
  • Advanced DeEsser
  • 3-Band Noise Gate
  • 3-Band Dynamic Processor
  • 4-Band Parametric EQ
  • Brick Wall Limiter
• Presets centralization and sharing
• Multi-Studio Ready
• Session Recall
• Link & Share ready
• Main sampling process frequency 192 kHz
• Ultra low delay ~3 milliseconds.

Multi-Studio Mode

The SOUND4 VOICE ULA4 can process separately up to 4 microphones.

Thanks to the Multi-Studio mode, a SOUND4 VOICE ULA can distribute resources over several studios. This means that if a user has two studios to equip with three microphones each, a single SOUND4 VOICE ULA4 provides an easy solution due to the fact that it can function as two processors, operating separately for each studio. Moreover, studios can Save and Recall their own sessions.

In-House User Presets Centralization

This function facilitates work in multiple live and production studios. As long as there is a SOUND4 VOICE ULA in each of them, animators, interviewers, journalists and DJs will have access to their own presets in each studio.

If a User preset is modified from one studio, thanks to the “in-house user presets centralization”, all other studios will be automatically updated.

User Presets

SOUND4 VOICE ULA4 offers the possibility to create a preset for each user. Usually, sound processors are running with the same level adjustment. Due to its one-of-a-kind preset function, however, the SOUND4 VOICE ULA4, sound level can be adjusted and the following basics can be adapted depending on the user:

• Input Gain
• Output Gain
• Output Mode - independent or grouped in a bus mix (2 bus mixes are available in SOUND4 Voice ULA)
• Phase Invert and Phase Rotator
• Low Pass & High Pass Filters
• 3-band frequency adjustment

De-Esser

In SOUND4 VOICE ULA, the De-Esser tracks automatically the sibilance frequencies, the user just needs to set up the gain attenuation and the Q Factor which defines the correction width.

One the left side, a graph shows the De-Esser working in real time.

3-Band Noise Gate

In broadcast voice processing, Noise gate is a crucial functionality for general voice sound optimizations. Thanks to HQSound algorithms, the SOUND4 Voice ULA Noise Gate is extremely reactive in opening and closing Gates. This is a real advantage compared to major solutions on the market which usually "eat" the first syllables.

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.

Advanced mode allows access to "Smart Gate Threshold", Ratios, Fidelity, SIS, Drives, Thresholds, Attack Time, Release Time and Mix Output Gain.

The 4-Band Parametric EQ

The Parametric EQ provides the final touch in a sound setup. The SOUND4 VOICE ULA is powered with a 4-band parametric Equalizer.

Advanced mode offers access for each band to Frequency, Q factor and Gain correction.

The Brickwall Limiter

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