Audient has announced the introduction of ORIA, a new audio interface and monitor controller designed specifically for multi-loudspeaker arrays ranging from stereo to 9.1.6 setups, and it will be on display at the 2024 NAMM Show at the Anaheim Convention Center at booth 7003.
“As immersive audio continues to become more prevalent across music, film, TV, game and VR production, our goal was to design a purpose-driven and affordable solution for those wanting to work in the immersive space,” says Audient’s Andrew Allen. “ORIA is designed to prioritize immersive audio workflows, giving you onboard room and speaker calibration DSP, true immersive monitoring control and professional audio performance, alongside intelligent integrations with Sonarworks and Dolby Atmos.”
ORIA provides 16 outputs via TRS or AES, two dedicated relayed switched stereo outputs, two independent headphone outputs, BNC word clock in and out, as well as two Audient console mic preamps, 16 ADAT inputs and an optional 16 input AoIP Dante card, which is well suited for large studio complexes and education facilities. It can also integrate into an existing studio setup as a stand-alone monitor controller via its ADAT Inputs or the optional Dante card.
Working with multi-channel loudspeaker arrays requires a calibrated room, with ORIA’s Advanced Speaker Processing facilitating the creation of up to 32 custom onboard calibration profiles (presets) for any monitoring format by utilizing per channel eight-band EQ, delay, trim and bass management tools. They are designed to help ensure that rooms stay calibrated when monitoring different formats such as stereo, 5.1 or Dolby Atmos
Audient has also partnered with calibration company Sonarworks to enable users to load SoundID Reference profiles directly into ORIA’s hardware giving users the ability to measure and calibrate their room.
Sonarworks co-founder and CPO Martins Popelis says, “Creators know: inaccurate speakers distort their creative vision. Calibrating studio speakers is crucial, but it’s often a technical hurdle. That’s why we are thrilled to partner with Audient on the SoundID Reference integration into ORIA interfaces through which we are taking the ease and simplicity of your studio speaker calibration to the next level.”
ORIA ships with a Sonarworks Reference Measurement microphone and a 60-day free trial of the SoundID Reference for Multichannel software – both included in the box. If users would like to continue after the free trial, they can purchase a full SoundID Reference for Multichannel licence separately and continue to run Sonarworks Profiles via ORIA’s hardware.
Once the room is calibrated, ORIA helps users get full control of their stereo, surround or Dolby Atmos environment, courtesy via its software and iPad Remote. “Quickly switch between speakers, listening levels and target curves, all with the touch of a button,” Allen says. “Use the color-coded speaker groups, individual and group speaker mute/solo and global volume control, cut and dim to fly around a session. And for those of you working in post, there is also a global lip sync delay for perfectly aligning your audio to picture.”
Coming soon, Audient will also integrate support for the Dolby Atmos Renderer, enabling the user to take control of the renderer’s monitoring layout dropdown directly from ORIA’s user interface. It’s suited for quickly switching between different monitoring layouts, such as Dolby Atmos, 7.1, 5.1 and stereo without having to jump between the project and the Dolby Atmos Renderer.
Designed for professional, multi-channel setups, there are many I/O options. Surround loudspeakers can be plugged in using either the line or AES outputs; the dedicated stereo outputs are for connecting non-immersive integrated loudspeakers, and two ADAT inputs give the user an option to add an external interface or preamp.
The converters have 126 dB of dynamic range and the Audient console mic preamps deliver 58 dB of gain and work as mic, line or Hi-Z instrument inputs. Allen adds, “For the first time ever, the Audient console mic preamp is remote controlled. Optimized to give you the sonic benefits of its all analog design alongside pinpoint accurate digital control.”
ORIA is expected to start shipping in the first quarter of 2024 and the iPad Control App will be available later in this quarter as well. It will retail at UK £2520 inc VAT; Euro €2885 and US $2625 MAP. The optional Dante Card is priced at UK £600; Euro €685 and US $625 MAP.
