L-Acoustics has announced the next generation of its 3D audio processing engine — the L-ISA Processor II — that’s designed to provide users with more power, performance and flexibility, and it’s available in four different output configurations through a one-time, tiered license fee.
L-ISA Processor II provides object-based mixing for demanding immersive audio productions. While both the new and original units offer control of spatial audio processing and virtual acoustics for up to 96 audio objects based on loudspeaker positioning information and mixing parameters—including pan, width, distance, elevation, and aux send —- L-ISA Processor II doubles the original unit’s potential output count of 64 up to 128 outputs.
L-Acoustics is offering the new model in a choice of four output counts — 16, 32, 64 or 128 — from the same device, with various capacities accessible via different lifetime licenses at tiered pricing levels. For example, a small club or theater may need no more than 16 outputs, while a mid-sized house of worship or performing arts center might require as many as 32. Those customers now have access to all of the same immersive tools, 128 inputs and 96 kHz sampling as large-scale musicals and tours running triple-digit outputs, but at a scalable cost.
“Rather than roll out multiple versions of our new L-ISA Processor II, we designed a single device to flexibly satisfy a variety of applications and budgets,” says L-Acoustics product and technology outreach manager Scott Sugden. “Previously, our L-ISA Processor could represent up to half of a smaller immersive project’s budget. But with L-ISA Processor II, the investment can very closely match production needs, which will open up immersive processing to many more venues and shows. By providing scalable licensing, exciting immersive capabilities can become a real possibility for almost any project.”
Housed in a 3U chassis equipped with Neutrik connectors, the new processor is designed to be road-worthy and reliable, remotely controlled by L-ISA Controller software. Utilizing multi-core architecture, the device is equipped with Milan-AVB dual-network redundancy designed to eliminate the need for a secondary unit in mirror mode, further optimizing budget. It also carries MADI connections that allow signals to come in on MADI and exit via Milan-AVB.
Paired with L-ISA Studio software, allowing users to create immersive designs for the stage and studio on their laptops, both iterations of L-ISA Processor are also compatible with DeskLink, which places direct control of L-ISA objects on the channel strips of DiGiCo, SSL and Yamaha mixing consoles. Partnerships with vision-based tracking systems like BlackTrax, Robert Juliat’s SpotMe, Modulo Pi, and Zactrack continue to be supported by the new product as well.
“With L-ISA Processor II, we’ve greatly lowered the cost barrier that once prohibited small- to mid-sized productions from even considering immersive designs,” adds Guillaume Le Nost, executive director of creative technologies. “Now that L-ISA has been opened up to a much wider potential user base, we’re looking forward to seeing how some of our new customers will be choosing to ‘wow’ their audiences with intimately engaging audio. And on the other end of the spectrum, we’re even more excited to see how some of the largest production houses will really push the envelope of their designs with the newly-doubled output count of L-ISA Processor II.”
Currently in pilot phase, L-ISA Processor II will begin shipping to customers in the first quarter of 2022. Go here for more specifics and watch the launch event here.
