loudness control Unlike virtually all other hardware solutions for
audio visualisation, the TouchMonitor comes with no mechanical controls; the user controls the units using just the 16:9 touch-sensitive display screen. Alternatively, if the environment does not allow for touchscreen operation, the graphical user interface can also be controlled using a mouse. The intuitive operating concept was designed from scratch and is mostly self- explanatory. Initially, the majority of instruments known
from previous RTW metering products were made available on the TouchMonitor; these include a large number of peak-meter models, a vectorscope, an RTA and the surround sound analyser used for visualising multichannel audio. Meanwhile, the unit also supports various new developments, such as several instruments for visualising channel or sum loudness on a graphical or numerical basis that comply with the current EBU, ITU, ATSC and ARIB recommendations. Originally designed by TC Electronic, the
loudness radar meter with its characteristic circular view was licensed for use on the TouchMonitor. From the extensive range of functions, the user can select exactly those instruments needed for his or her specific application. This is because of the innovative concept on the basis of software modules. Even after the purchase, additional instruments can be added at any time by purchasing the appropriate software licenses. In the same way, since the required audio interfaces are factory- implemented, a TouchMonitor originally sold as a 2-channel unit can be upgraded to multichannel operation by buying the appropriate license. Thus, the TouchMonitor’s universal hardware platform allows for the most versatile configurations - from simple stereo peak meters to full-fledged multifunctional multichannel- enabled metering solutions. Today, modern audio-visualisation systems are
used for a large number of tasks and workflows and therefore need to provide maximum flexibility. However, this unlimited configurability often becomes a major pitfall for those users who just want to get to the point without digging too deep into the matter. Therefore, RTW designed an innovative menu system for the TouchMonitor. It guides the user through the process of making relevant settings including the analogue or digital domain, channel counts, the loudness standard to be applied or the instrument selection. This allows for creating new presets quickly and in a target-oriented manner. Details that are more specific will typically remain at their defaults but can still be adjusted as needed at any time. Some functions and parameters will be displayed and prompted only if previous configuration details indicate their relevance. Presets containing all configuration settings
(except global parameters) can be stored and managed internally or on a memory stick. A preset contains one or more audio or non-audio groups. An audio group includes at least one
audio-visualisation instrument. All instruments within a group access the same TouchMonitor inputs and also share a number of properties. Unlike, non-audio groups hold instruments and functions that are independent of input signals: they include, for example, clocks or hardware statuses. For each single-channel or multichannel audio
signal to be displayed on the TouchMonitor, the user sets up a separate audio group defining the desired input channels, the channel configuration, and other details. For example, one audio group might access the six digital inputs AES 1a to AES 3b, assigning them the 5.1 surround mode; at the same time, another audio group might manage the analogue inputs 1 and 2, which are configured with the stereo mode. Each audio group can be populated with instruments suitable for the selected domain and channel mode if the appropriate licenses have been unlocked on the unit. After creating the groups for all sources to be
visualised within a preset, the user can freely place instruments from those groups on the available screen area using the graphical view editor. This allows for displaying multiple entirely independent sources with their relevant instruments on the screen at the same time. Small colour marks indicate the group an instrument belongs to. Thus, the user immediately knows which input signal is visualised. Without a doubt, loudness is one of the major
reasons for the increased interest in audio metering today. Practically all major broadcasting services worldwide are currently thinking about using loudness meters rather than peak meters for controlling signal levels or have already completed the change. This significant paradigm shift causes an increased demand for new loudness-enabled display instruments that comply with the current recommendations issued by the relevant institutions: ITU, EBU, and ATSC. When designing the TouchMonitor, RTW opted for a loudness implementation that fully complies with all current standards and recommendations but also allows for customising all critical parameters such as integration times or gating. On the other hand, if you select an established setting such as the EBU mode that is specified by the EBU R128 standard, the standardised parameters cannot be altered. This way, the user always knows whether a measurement is standards-compliant or based on custom settings. As far as future broadcasting needs, the
TouchMonitor’s state-of-the-art software and hardware layout ensures simple firmware updates in the field. Neither an exchange of components nor other hardware interventions are necessary. This allows not only for adding extra functions but also for implementing new standards within a very short time. Which, as we have learned in the fast-paced broadcasting industry, might be critical with regard to loudness recommendations that are currently and consistently evolving.
special report
MediorNet Compact
50G Real-TimeMedia Network
www.riedel.net www.ibeweb.com l september/october 2011 l ibe l 79
See us at Stand 10.A31 IBC
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