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Auto Pilot Stereo/Mono Switching
Broadcasting in stereo is obviously a sonic advantage for 2-channel content, but it’s
far from a “free ride”. For example, the stereo pilot typically claims 9% of the total
modulation, stereo signals are more prone to multi-path distortion than mono
signals, and the signal-to-noise ratio for stereo is worse than for mono.
If you are playing stereo music these are acceptable tradeoffs but operating in
stereo brings nothing to the table for mono content, be it mono music or talk
programming.
Using the Auto Pilot feature in Omnia.9sg allows the pilot to be automatically turned
off (resulting in mono transmission) when the source audio is mono, lowering the
noise floor by 20dB, virtually eliminating multipath distortion when it is most
audible, and utilizing the modulation normally reserved for the pilot for the audio.
When the content returns to stereo, the pilot automatically and seamlessly turns
back on.
Full Remote Control
Every modern processor provides some means by which to control it or adjust its
settings remotely, which is handy if it is located at a transmitter site that is miles
(and often mountains) away from the studio.
Most employ web-based interfaces which on the surface sounds convenient because
it allows you to remote in from a browser on any computer at any location, but even
the best of them fall short when it comes to a great user experience. They require
browser plug-ins, typically feel “laggy” when viewing meters or adjusting controls,
and don’t always have the same look and feel as the front panel interface.
Omnia.9sg’s NfRemote client software not only allows the same level of control as
offered from the front panel, but is actually easier to navigate whether you’re
standing next to Omnia.9sg or controlling it from miles away.
If you have Omnia.9sg’s on more than one station in your group (who can buy just
one?) you can connect to any of them through a single connection window, and can
run multiple remotes simultaneously.
Providing your network has sufficient bandwidth, you can even stream audio from
various patch points within the processing chain back to the client computer. This
allows you to hear what effect your adjustments have on your audio in the
environment of your choice instead of a rack room or transmitter building, locations
which almost never have decent monitors but offer noise in abundance!