Introduction
What is Forza?
Omnia Forza is a new-from-the-ground-up multiband audio processing algorithm. In its initial release, it is being offered as a streaming audio processor delivered either as a Docker container (the version covered here) or as an optional processing style in the Telos Z/IPStream X/2.
Although brand-new algorithmically, Forza maintains the traditional Omnia processing structure of a wideband AGC, five bands of multiband AGC, five bands of multiband limiting, a bass clipper, and a final limiter, plus an ITU-R BS.1770-based loudness controller for streaming applications.
A New Approach to Adjustment and Control
Forza takes into consideration the evolving definition of "broadcasting," recognizing that in some instances, there may be an experienced broadcast engineer with a solid understanding of audio processing at the helm. In other cases, it may be up to users with IT and networking skills but with minimal background or experience in traditional radio or audio processing to deploy and adjust Forza.
Accordingly, Forza's interface is designed so that less-experienced users can easily and intuitively produce a high-quality, professional-sounding stream with little or no adjustment by simply choosing one of the expertly-designed Omnia Presets.
More experienced users will find a suite of deceptively simple but very powerful controls that perform multiple adjustments in the background in order to customize Forza's sound to suit their particular tastes and needs, which can then be saved as user presets for easy recall and sharing.
Purpose-Built for Streaming
As streaming audio listenership continues to grow, broadcasters and content providers are increasingly aware of the importance of delivering an enjoyable, high-quality experience for their audience, whether on a built-in player on the station's website or through a dedicated commercial streaming platform.
Though its processing structure is similar to that of other Omnia processors, Forza was created on a fresh sheet of paper to deal with the unique demands of streaming audio.
With no need to maximize RF coverage (a goal for AM), create dial-dominating loudness (applicable to both AM and FM), or deal with the FM pre-emphasis curve, it was possible (not to mention liberating) to completely re-imagine the way Forza's various processing algorithms behave.
At the same time, streaming introduces its own unique set of challenges and requirements, which Forza meets head-on.
It features tried-and-true Sensus® codec conditioning to dynamically optimize the audio for lossy codecs and minimize the audible artifacts that processing can sometimes reveal, especially at lower bitrates.
And, critically, it introduces a brand-new ITU-R BS.1770-based loudness controller which allows users to set an LKFS/LUFS loudness target to comply with AES TD1008 guidelines or meet the specific requirements of any streaming platform.
Processing Architecture
The diagram below illustrates the signal flow through the Forza processing algorithm from input to output.
Last updated
