Minnetonka AudioTools Server

Minnetonka AudioTools SERVER Overview

Quality-First Audio Automation

AudioTools Server automates the most sophisticated audio tasks and offers a wide variety of processing, specifically created for use in cable, satellite, OTT, terrestrial and IPTV, radio, and post-production facilities. As a pure software platform running on commodity hardware, including VM or cloud deployment, AudioTools Server is flexible and customizable, allowing for new workflows as requirements inevitably change.

• State-of-the-art audio processing 

• Customized, efficient file-based workflows

• Unrivaled loudness tools

• Compliance to broadcast standards

• Interoperability with major environments

• Modular, scalable platform

Leader in Loudness

Loudness Control is a significant use case for AudioTools Server, using Linear Acoustic® APTO® loudness processing. Our loudness-normalization processes fully preserve the existing audio and only apply a gain change combined with optional peak limiting. Other use cases require changing the dynamic range and more complex parameters of the audio content, such as dialog intelligibility. Advanced Loudness Adaptation is a collection of intelligent loudness profiles designed to adapt a theatrical audio mix for broadcast to create the best possible audio experience for all modern platforms such as OTT/web, mobile/ handheld, and VOD/SVOD.

Modular Design

Modular architecture allows AudioTools Server to always be state-of-the-art, but the real power of this approach is using workflows to combine module functions in a sequential or highly conditional profile. AudioTools Server provides a modern REST API to connect the system to any industry-standard Workflow Automation or Media Asset Management system. AudioTools Server is also a VST plug-in host, enabling third-party plug-ins as part of an overall AudioTools Server workflow.

File-Based Workflow and Next Generation Audio Support

With the requirements for broadcasters’ talent and editorial staff getting more and more difficult, automating as many file-based audio processes as possible makes good business sense. Broadcasters will need to support Dolby Atmos® and MPEG-H content—as well as your existing deliverables requirements—but tools that can do it all are scarce. AudioTools Server meets broadcasters’ existing needs to automate workflows for file-based loudness management, encoding/decoding, QC, and more, as well as easily adding Next Generation Audio support to those workflows.

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Minnetonka AudioTools SERVER Features

Use Cases

Loudness Measurement & Adjustment

State-of-the-art loudness control based on international standards and practices. Advanced Loudness Adaptation profiles for improved and compliant dialog intelligibility in high-dynamic-range content.

Audio Adaptation

Automated adaptation of audio content to specific output specifications, including upmix, downmix, channel management, and frame-rate conversion.

Automate Immersive Audio Workflows

Upmix audio to up to 9.1.6 channel configuration, and automate Dolby Atmos® encoding or MPEG-H pre-processing tasks.

Dolby Automation

Automated Dolby encoding and decoding, including metadata handling. AudioTools Server includes Dolby E quality control, with optional correction.

Quality Control

Audio-specific quality control of audio files or container formats, including channel assignment detection and correlation check

Enhanced Workflows and License Management

AudioTools Workflow Control is the command and control for AudioTools Server that enables standalone operation along with support for threaded multiple concurrent processes, load-balancing, and dynamic reconfiguration of workflows on the fly. AudioTools Server can deploy floating licenses through a license server, offering a scalable system for small businesses or enterprise-class facilities. AudioTools Server is internally driven from tailored XML profiles. An operator can call up preset workflows easily and edit them through the AudioTools Operator App, while Queue Control provides an overview with detailed access to all running processes.

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Minnetonka AudioTools SERVER In Depth 

AudioTools WorkflowCreator

AudioTools WorkflowCreator allows anyone to wield the full power and sophistication of AudioTools Server via a simple graphical user interface. WorkflowCreator provides users with the ability to quickly and easily build entirely new workflows from scratch, using a comprehensive toolset of AudioTools Server modules. Modifying workflows is also simple, with it possible to add, delete or rename steps in just a few clicks. Each step comes with its own set of controllable parameters that can be adjusted to meet requirements. Individual parameters can also be bound to upstream (customizable) references, or can be copied en masse between steps. The software also comes pre-installed with over 1000+, searchable workflow templates, covering the most common workflow types (all fully editable), meaning users can start building their own workflow library in minutes. Files and watch folders can be submitted to the server for processing directly from the WorkflowCreator, or workflows can be exported for submission via third-party tools, such as Telestream Vantage, or web services integration.

AudioTools Operator

The AudioTools Operator application is ideal for simple manual operations and can be used in conjunction with, or instead of, any other method used to drive AudioTools Server. AudioTools Operator enables direct editing of workflow parameters from within the user interface, allowing easy manipulation of targets and other functions prior to submitting a job. The exposed parameters are entirely customizable, according to individual needs and requirements. AudioTools Operator provides a flexible and user-friendly approach to complete any adaptation task. 

Example implementation: Advanced Loudness Adaptation

AudioTools WebClient

The AudioTools WebClient allows users to monitor AudioTools Server workflows and jobs in any browser, on any device with network access to the AudioTools Server system, without requiring Administrator’s access. The WebClient shows the state of all running processes, measurement results as configured in the workflows, and execution log entries. The WebClient can also be used to submit new workflows to the server, or to stop executing workflows.

AudioTools FOCUS for Loudness Control 

AudioTools FOCUS is an easy-to-use application designed to measure and adjust the loudness levels of audio or video assets. AudioTools FOCUS handles the complexity of loudness management through predefined master presets, conforming to every loudness standard. You can use AudioTools FOCUS with AudioTools Server. It is also available in several sizes for use as a standalone product.

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Minnetonka AudioTools SERVER Specifications

Platforms

AudioTools Server is platform-agnostic. You can deploy it on physical servers on-premises, in virtual environments, or as true cloud instances, such as on Amazon AWS. It can integrate with other cloud-based systems or operate on its own, accessing cloud storage like S3 buckets

Integration

AudioTools Server supports manual job submission, hot folders, and a full web services API, guaranteeing that it fits into any environment, on any integration level. Integration Partners: Arvato, Aspera, Aveco, AVID, Cinnafilm, Dalet, Dolby, Evertz, Geminisoft, Harmonic, Hiscale, IBM, Kantar Media / Civolution, Root 6, Sony, Tedial, Telestream, Vector 3, VIZRT, and others

Formats

Linear PCM Audio: AIFF, WAV, RF64 Codecs: Dolby E, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus (with Atmos®), Dolby Pro Logic II, mp2, mp3, MPEG-4, HE-AAC, AAC Container: MXF, QuickTime™, LXF, GXF, selected Transport Streams

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