'AirAura' Distortion-Managed Final Clipper
The technology utilized in our new AirAura final peak clipper does not generate the objectionable aliasing and intermodulation distortions commonly associated with less-complex clipper technology. Squeaky clean audio, even at extremely competitive loudness levels, is AirAura’s forte.
Similar in certain ways to our acclaimed 31-band 'Fine Grain' limiter (a Vorsis exclusive), AirAura utilizes high resolution distortion recognition algorithms to discern audio from distortion. The fine-grained selectivity afforded by this technology is the best way to sense and truly mitigate distortion. Other technologies can only make a "best guess" at separating desirable audio components from undesirable distortion products.
By analyzing the audio and the distortion products created during peak control, AirAura removes distortion products and other artifacts that a listener might find objectionable. It is highly adept at minimizing intermodulation distortion, especially close-spaced difference frequency intermodulation products in the midrange frequencies where human hearing is the most sensitive.
During beta testing in major markets listeners commented about how smooth and open the entire audio spectrum sounded when processed by our new AirAura clipper. Achieving effortless competitive loudness on the air while remaining subjectively cleaner than their usual on-air processor was never an issue. In fact, in one top-ten market we were actually asked if we could "turn it down just a little bit."
"Fine Grain" processing overcomes the limitations of peak limiters in other on-air processors. Using 31 limiter bands selected according to ISO standard 1/3 octave center frequencies the AirAura limiters (one for FM, one for HD) perform precision spectral energy control without generating additional density or artifacts usually associated with peak limiters having fewer bands. Operating according to accepted principles of human psychoacoustics, the action of the Stealth Limiter™ goes completely unnoticed by the ear. Because of the need for very shallow limiting in each band, there are absolutely no 'swishing' artifacts and no unnatural density buildup; just increased on-air loudness, detail, and "listenability" of the station's programming.
Sweet Spot Technology (SST) has been uniquely designed by Vorsis to manage the behavior of the multiband AGC as program content density changes, something a typical broadband AGC simply cannot do. It effortlessly handles transitions between the hyper-compressed recordings of today and those of the past that have considerably more dynamic range. SST achieves uncannily natural-sounding consistency in both on-air loudness and spectral balance regardless of density variations in the incoming source material.
The Vorsis Bass Management System (VBMS-II) enhances deep bass and impact without affecting the cleanliness of mid and high frequency program. Bass detail and the clarity of higher frequency audio are enhanced by this powerful, innovative algorithm. With VBMS’s ‘Texture’ and new ‘Sub’ controls, on-air bass has never sounded so good and so deep and natural.
Stereo enhancement is a standard feature on all Vorsis on-air processors and utilizes a new Vorsis technology; Smart Stereo Enhancement. Operating in the sum and difference domain and utilizing specialized spectral management algorithms it provides a smooth, natural, wide listening experience without triggering multipath effects. It delivers an extremely stable 'on-air' stereo image that's exciting to listen to. Users have reported hearing, for the very first time, artistically important nuances in familiar music that could not be heard when that material was processed by other on-air processors.
AirAura is Wheatstone's newest and most powerful audio processor. Equipped with our new AirAura Final Clipper, exclusive Sweet Spot Technology (SST) multiband AGC, and Bass Management System (VBMS) algorithms, AirAura effortlessly achieves competitive loudness while at the same time reducing listener fatigue via increased clarity and listenability.
Manuals
