Merging Technologies At IBC 2018

Significant enhancements to software and hardware

Puidoux: August 2018, Merging Technologies will arrive in Amsterdam with a significantly enhanced product range. This has more to do with ensuring that the company’s main products address the new workflow demands of broadcasters than only taking advantage of new components. Pyramix, Ovation, VCube, Horus, Hapi and ANEMAN all have something notable to entice visitors to stand 8.E96 at RAI. Merging is sharing this space with its Swiss neighbours, PSI Audio and Sonosax.

Pyramix 11.1 offers the tool set for Object Based Audio production and can generate files for MPEG-H or ADM (Audio Definition Model) as required. Support for VST3 plugins has been added with routing now available on the plugin UI. The timing of this release coincided with a revision of the packs on offer, with some price reductions and an increase in output buss counts for the Native versions. Major plugin suppliers like Cedar and Flux have also adjusted prices in favour of the customer.

These advantages transfer to the Ovation Audio & Event Sequencer which is now release 7.1. The major advance here is the console automation which has moved from snapshot to fully dynamic with other improvements in cue feedback. There is enhanced integration with popular controllers from Avid and SSL and UDP/IP has been added to the IP control options.

ANEMAN was launched at IBC 2017 and captured a number of awards for innovation. This free of charge Audio NEtwork MANager was introduced to control and monitor devices from several manufacturers. One year on, ANEMAN Enterprise is being shown as the optimum method of controlling networks in larger facilities with considerable scope for customization to suit the company or the client. Enterprise allows multiple users to access the system at the same time, offers enhanced diagnostics, logging and can assign access rights to individual zones.

The extremely popular Horus and Hapi Networked Audio Interfaces benefit from a new D/A card which features the latest generation component from ESS. Small but worthwhile performance improvements are evident for Standard or Premium systems. The range of VAD (Virtual Audio Device) drivers has been updated to be compatible with the latest operating systems from Apple and Microsoft ensuring that these converters work with all DAWs regardless of OS.

Last but not least, the company will be inviting enquiries from OEMs that may wish to use one of the VAD’s or the company’s ZMAN network module for AES67/RAVENNA ecosystems. This compact and powerful module can provide a fast track solution to joining the AoIP revolution. Offered in two versions depending on channel requirements; Z10 being 64 x 64 and the Z20 256 x 256, both share the same architecture with a simple mezzanine board for the application specific circuitry. Once again the comprehensive suite of drivers is offered including a Linux ALSA version. RAVENNA/AES67 drivers can also be supplied as standalone OEM items for use in professional and consumer markets.

Information on all these developments can be found on the new website that was launched in August and offers significantly improved mobile performance and a fresh look with easier navigation. www.merging.com



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ANEMAN Audio Network Manager




ANEMAN Audio Network Manager


Merging Technologies SA is a Swiss manufacturer with over 25 years of experience in developing groundbreaking, professional Audio and Video products for a wide range of entertainment and media industries. With a dedicated user base in the elite end of the music, film, television, mastering and performances industries, Merging is committed to developing product ranges with unrivalled quality and flexibility, no matter what the application. Merging builds tools for people who want more from their systems, have an inherent need to push boundaries, and believe that quality always comes first.

RAVENNA is a solution for real-time distribution of audio and other media content in IP-based network environments. Utilizing standardized network protocols and technologies, RAVENNA can operate on existing network infrastructures. RAVENNA is designed to meet the strict requirements of the pro audio market featuring low latency, full signal transparency and high reliability and is fully AES67 compatible. With a capacity of nearly 8 x MADI streams over a single Gigabit Ethernet link, it is also the first and only Layer-3 based IP audio protocol with full support for high-channel count DXD and DSD signals.

While primarily targeting the professional broadcast market, RAVENNA is also suitable for deployment in other pro audio market segments like live sound, install market and recording. Possible fields of application include (but are not limited to) in-house signal distribution in broadcasting houses, theatres, concert halls and other fixed installations, flexible setups at venues and live events, OB van support, inter-facility links across WAN connections and in production & recording applications ravenna.alcnetworx.com