Genelec is marking the 15th anniversary of its GLM loudspeaker manager software with the introduction of GLM 4.1, which is compatible with all Genelec Smart Active Monitors and Subwoofers.
The update offers new features and improvements due to the debut of the next-generation AutoCal 2 automatic room calibration algorithm, which is designed to deliver a more precise frequency response in a fraction of the time than was previously possible.
Drawing on the data from thousands of real-world room calibrations, GLM 4.1 offers the user control over a room’s detrimental acoustic influences, fostering mixes that translate even more consistently to other rooms and playback systems. Originally introduced in 2006, GLM integrates with the intelligent DSP hardware within Genelec Smart Active Monitos, allowing each monitor and subwoofer to be networked, configured and individually calibrated for the user’s specific acoustic environment.
GLM’s reference microphone kit helps in accurately analyzing room acoustics, after which monitors and subwoofers can be automatically calibrated for relative level and relative distance delay, plus subwoofer crossover phase and frequency response. At that point there are several options for personalization if required, including the calibration of absolute listening level in dB SPL, according to global broadcast, OTT, gaming and film standards.
With the wide range of listening rooms being used for production today, GLM 4.1 can help improve the calibration of spaces that are more acoustically “lively” than was once the norm, and assists those choosing to monitor at ultra nearfield (UNF) distances right down to 50 centimeters, which is now growing in popularity as a bridge between in-room and headphone monitoring.
The new AutoCal 2 feature takes advantage of detailed background information of each monitor in a system, producing a quicker and more accurate discrimination between direct and reflected sound. The faster calibration speed is further enhanced by a new 64-bit architecture and fresher, leaner code. Therefore, GLM 4.1 is a useful tool for mobile audio engineers and creatives who are regularly working in different locations, and that mobility is also supported by GLM 4’s choice of Cloud-based and local storage of settings.
Users of the 8331A, 8341A, 8351B and 8361A models from “The Ones” series of coaxial three-way point source monitors have the new ability of GLM 4.1 to extend phase linearity down to 80 Hz. In addition, GLM 4.1 accurately time-aligns all the monitors in a room, across types, taking The Ones’ wide phase linearity setting into account.
Other new features in GLM 4.1 include an increased number of EQ filters offering more flexibility, weighting refinements when taking advantage of GLM’s unlimited number of microphone measurement points, and a Solo-X mode for faster soloing of monitors when working with immersive content. Finally, through the addition of French, Italian and Portuguese language options, international users of GLM 4.1 are now able to choose from 10 user languages.
“The AutoCal calibration algorithm has always been the backbone of GLM,” says Genelec Managing Director Siamäk Naghian. “So I can think of no better way of celebrating GLM’s 15th anniversary than with the launch of AutoCal 2 as part of the new GLM 4.1 release. In those 15 years we have gradually seen intelligent loudspeaker calibration become universally recognized as the most reliable path to creating a true sonic reference – and we are proud to keep leading the way.”
