Audient Announces ORIA Immersive Audio Interface & Monitor Controller

Audient introduced ORIA, an all in one USB-C audio interface and monitor controller designed specifically for multi-speaker arrays ranging from stereo to 9.1.6 setups – and everything in between. ORIA was designed with immersive audio in mind and to support mixing for formats such as Dolby Atmos. It features built-in Sonarworks Reference DSP for room and speaker calibration, allowing a perfect monitoring environment for music, film, TV and even game production. Designed with a dual purpose, it can also effortlessly integrate an existing studio setup as a standalone monitor controller via its ADAT Inputs.

CES 2024 was the best in a long time. audioXpress attended to report about the solutions and technologies that will enable the audio products of tomorrow, exploring the many hospitality and business suites where the audio industry is at during CES. We focused on attending closed demonstrations - about which we can reveal very little at this stage - because that's the only way to truly share the product developers’ experience, and gain a real perspective about the audio technologies that matter for product development and those that will determine the products in 2025 and going forward.

Native Instruments announced iZotope VEA, a new AI-powered voice enhancement plugin for Mac and Windows. This is a landmark product for the newly combined company, where iZotope's cutting-edge audio processing technology is boosted with an artificial intelligence-based approach that delivers results that are simply not possible or very difficult to achieve with traditional tools. Voice Enhancement Assistant, or VEA, delivers a more powerful, polished, and professional vocal sound for podcasters and content creators.

During CES 2024, xMEMS Labs unveiled an innovative reference design for the fast-growing sleep buds product segment. The MEMS pioneer had a lot to show at CES and the creation of reference designs using the companies new MEMS drivers speaks volumes as to the way the market is enthusiastically embracing the technology. The new reference design leverages xMEMS' solid-state Cowell drivers and Skyline DynamicVent technologies to deliver a trifecta of noise blocking, noise-masking sound, and an industry-first vented mode for improved comfort.

KEF launched the newest addition to its popular LS Wireless Collection with the new LSX II LT Wireless. These hifi speakers are a streamlined version of KEF's existing LSX II speakers, featuring the same key technological innovations - 11th Generation Uni-Q driver, Music Integrity Engine, W2 wireless platform, easy connectivity, etc. - found in the LSX II, at an even lower price point. The key difference is that the LSX II LT only requires a single power cord, as the primary speaker powers the secondary one via an interconnect cable.

The Fountek brand is now being manufactured by Shanghai Nada Technology (formerly Fountek Electronics), updating a large portfolio of high-end range of transducers (woofers, midbass drivers, full-range drivers, and ribbons high-frequency devices). The device that was sent to Voice Coil is the company’s current iteration of its Fountek NeoCD 2.0 ribbon tweeter. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, September 2023.

The AX5689 is an eight-channel audio amplifier controller IC with digital inputs and CMOS level PWM outputs, enabling high-order digital control loops with post-filter feedback. This article, originally published in audioXpress, December 2023, reviews the Axign and GaN Systems Class-D audio amplifier reference design board, intended to demonstrate the benefits of Axign's digital controllers and its unique approach.

In the incredible mix of new product announcements unleashed before the company's presence at NAMM 2024, the new Mackie MobileMix revitalizes an interesting category in portable live production and content creation. The Mackie MobileMix is a fully featured small audio mixer designed to work with tablets and smartphone in live sound, video production, and streaming setups.

Kardome, the innovative voice front-end technology company from Israel has partnered with Panasonic Automotive Systems of America at CES 2024 to showcase Kardome Mobility's integration into Panasonic Automotive's SkipGen2 In-Vehicle Infotainment System. Kardome's integrated Spatial Hearing technology enhances in-car voice user interfaces and the integration with Kardome Mobility is the only solution to individually capture up to six voices over three rows with a single mic array in the overhead cabin compartment.

Røde has announced a dual transmitter version of the Wireless ME, the grab-and-go, entry level wireless mic for content creators. This announcement expands the possibilities of the original Wireless ME system launched in 2023 together with a free iOS video app. The ultra-compact wireless microphone system shares the same form factor of the Wireless GO and GO II, creating a simpler to use option with less features, while adding automatic gain control and a mic on the receiver.