Yamaha announces the upcoming release of a new immersive audio solution, including the related acoustic enhancement (AFC Enhance) and image control (AFC Image) systems.
Yamaha is pleased to announce the upcoming release of a new Active Field Control (AFC) version upgrade, including the related acoustic enhancement (AFC Enhance) and image control (AFC Image) systems.
In 1969 Yamaha launched acoustic consulting activities with the goal of finding an ideal relationship between performer, audience, and space. That quest has led to a deep understanding of acoustic technology in general, including structural acoustics and electronic acoustics. Based on that experience, Yamaha released “active field control” immersive audio for the first time in 1985, in response to growing venue diversification and a need to accommodate a wider array of events. AFC can turn an acoustically dead environment into a reverberant cavern or cathedral at the touch of a button, and has been gradually refined with improved performance and features over the years. The current AFC version offers advanced 96 kHz processing capability that delivers outstanding sound and space control.
Today, AFC has been expanded to included AFC Enhance for ambience control and AFC Image for acoustic image control. With AFC Enhance and AFC Image, Yamaha now offers a system that can create any acoustic environment you can imagine, sonically transporting the audience to new and exciting places.
Any Environment You Can Imagine
The dimensional reverberation control capabilities of AFC Enhance can be used to create acoustic spaces in which acoustic images are positioned and moved around by AFC Image using a sophisticated but intuitive GUI. AFC Enhance controls the reverberation of a space while making use of the natural acoustic properties of the existing structure. Unlike approaches that add artificial reverb to the source sound to create a different impression, AFC Enhance employs technology developed over many years to control sound propagation within the actual space so that reverberation and volume can be altered while the natural sounds of musical instruments and voices are maintained. AFC Image allows users to control the perceived positions of acoustic images within a space. With a conventional stereo configuration, the acoustic image will vary according to the listener’s position. Immersive systems, on the other hand, allow acoustic images to be placed and moved wherever they are needed to produce the desired effect, and their position remains absolute regardless of listener location. There are many features that makes AFC Image unique, such as a speaker zoning function that assigns object sounds to only the desired speakers within the system, and binaural output that lets users experience the immersive sound in headphones. Systems can be flexibly created according to customer needs, allowing easy integration of DAWs, mixers, tracking systems, plus other third-party hardware and software.
Flexible Workflow Support
The complex process that leads to a truly memorable sonic experience includes off-site content creation, custom sound system design, and system setup and playback at the venue. It is our primary goal to connect every phase of the process with an optimized workflow that makes content delivery smooth and easy.
Yamaha immersive systems provide broad support that covers everything from content production to playback. The space conversion feature in AFC Image, for example, makes it possible to reproduce 5.1 channel content created using a DAW via a live sound system, easily matching playback to the venue and live sound system speaker layout. Working with NS-1 simulation software and a range of outboard equipment, this technology can deliver the creator’s content and intent in a wide range of real-world environments.
The Power of Collaboration
A wide spectrum of know-how and experience forms the backbone of AFC, and its continued development and growth hinges on high-level input and support from Yamaha group experts such as Steinberg and NEXO. The Yamaha group alliance enables close collaboration between experts in a variety of related fields, driving innovation and development that keep AFC and other technologies way ahead of the curve.
