New Software Release for Axia SmartSurface

v2.5 software adds voice dynamics processing by Omnia

6 June 2005, Cleveland, OH USA

Broadcasters around the world have been falling in love with SmartSurface, the 16-fader studio control surface from Axia Audio. They love its intuitive controls, its transparent approach to everyday functions like automated phone and remote backfeeds (mix-minus), its ability to set, save and recall operating configurations tailored to talent's personal tastes, and it's sleek, low-profile design.

And now, SmartSurface has a new software feature guaranteed to warm the hearts of control freaks everywhere. SmartSurface version 2.5 software adds dynamic voice processing - compression, de-essing and noise gating designed by Omnia Audio - to supplement the SmartSurface 3-band parametric equalization features.

"SmartSurface clients love the onboard EQ functions. And when they realized that SmartSurface let them assign EQ that can be recalled whenever a source is loaded, they asked us for mic compression too!" says Axia President Michael "Catfish" Dosch. "So we asked our friends at Omnia Audio to write some DSP code to run in the Axia engine, and they were happy to oblige."

SmartSurface gives talent the power to customize the control surface, choosing where to place often-used sources, or assigning favorite monitor sources to headphones and speakers. Now, talent can also customize their mic channel to suit their personal preferences and recall their personal "Show Profile," complete with voice settings, for use anywhere within the facility.

Other new features in SmartSurface v2.5 software include enhanced control of automated playout systems, even more powerful set/save/recall functions, and the ability to stop and start multiple pre-defined audio sources with a single button-press - perfect for morning-show or talkshow producers.

The award-winning SmartSurface Studio Control surface resembles a traditional on-air console, presenting operators with familiar controls while providing dynamic new functions that help automate and streamline fast-paced radio production. SmartSurface has 16 fader channels which can be instantly assigned control of any audio source in the networked studio complex, providing near-complete control for mixing, routing, playback, recording, editing, phone control, remote codec operation and more.

SmartSurface works with the Axia IP-Audio system, which allows broadcasters to build audio networks of any size using standard Switched Ethernet to connect a few rooms - or an entire facility. Because an Axia audio network can carry hundreds of digital stereo audio channels over standard CAT-6 cables, much of the cost normally associated with wiring labor and infrastructure is eliminated.

The Axia system includes a family of "audio nodes" for microphone, analog line or AES/EBU audio, software tools like PathFinderPC to control routing, and an IP-Audio PC driver to eliminate PC sound cards, as well as SmartSurface and the new Element Modular Control Surface debuting at Broadcast Asia.

Visit Axia during Broadcast Asia 2005, 14-17 June, stand 1E2-01 in the Singapore Expo Center, for a complete demonstration of IP-Audio networking. For more information, contact Clark Novak at Axia, +1-216-241-7225, or e-mail cnovak@AxiaAudio.com.

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SmartSurface Studio Control Surface - from Axia Audio

Axia, a Telos company, builds Ethernet-based professional IP-Audio products for broadcast, production, sound-reinforcement and commercial applications. Products include digital audio routing switchers, DSP mixers and processors and software for configuring, managing, and interfacing IP-Audio systems.