dbx-tv processing has long enabled fantastic sound in televisions. We’ve extended that great performance to speakers and other electronics, but have a problem – ‘dbx-tv’ implies our processing is only for TVs, but it sounds too good to keep it away from other devices!
With an eye toward our future, we are changing our name to Total Sonics, a better reflection of our audio expertise. To appreciate that future, it might help to understand our evolution, starting from our dbx Inc. origins.
Our History
In the early 1980s, the Broadcast Television Systems Committee solicited methods to ensure quality stereo sound in its new broadcast system. dbx Inc., responded with “dbx-tv” noise reduction- unanimously selected by the BTSC over systems from Dolby, Telefunken, and CBS - and the technology was licensed to every manufacturer of TVs, VCRs, and broadcast equipment in the world.
dbx Inc. was later broken up, and the unit responsible for integrated circuits and noise reduction boards was spun-off as THAT Corporation. ”THAT” later acquired dbx Inc.’s IP rights, launched the “dbx-tv” business unit to license technology to the TV industry, and fueled the digital TV revolution with digital implementations of the BTSC encoder and all other worldwide analog TV audio decoders.
Following the digital transition, we changed our focus to licensing efficient, effective, and easy-to-use processing and calibration solutions to improve audio experiences. The first problem to tackle was obvious – too-loud commercials! World-renowned dbx-style compression provided the perfect solution: Total Volume loudness control.
At the same time, TV designs were trending toward slimmer cabinets and bezels, audio quality suffered, yet budget constraints left manufacturers without viable solutions. Processing to get the best possible sound from challenging drivers was needed, inspiring the Total Sonics suite.
Using patented dynamic EQ, Total Sonics processing optimizes the device’s electroacoustic response to improve bass performance without creating distortion. Total Bass™ psychoacoustic bass extension further extends the perceived response of speakers beyond physical possibility by tricking the brain into hearing pitches not actually there. The one-two punch of Total Bass and dynamic EQ ensures low-frequency sounds are enjoyed on products of any size.
Augmented by novel combinations of our Total Surround and Total Volume algorithms, Total Sonics solves the primary audio quality issues facing consumers.
Our next challenge came directly from manufacturers - the time needed to tune many unique products in the face of accelerated design cycles and shrinking budgets. We responded with the Total Cal Pro automated calibration system.
The genius of Total Cal Pro lies within its patented genetic EQ algorithm. Armed with knowledge of the device’s performance, the speedy genetic algorithm adapts Total Sonics’ parameters to meet one or more frequency response targets chosen by the designer, delivering a customized tuning for each unique design in minutes instead of days or weeks!
Total Immersion® universal height rendering system
Our next ‘simple yet effective’ solution arose as rising demand for immersive audio went largely unmet due to its complexity and expense. Total Immersion, a customized implementation of patented technology from Psy(x) Research, delivers an elevating immersive audio experience from any decoded content on two or more output channels -- with or without height speakers.
Total Cal in-home tuning for consumers
Our latest frontier in improving audio experiences lies in customized audio processing for each unique environment with the Total Cal in-home tuning system.
In seconds, Total Cal guides users through measuring the device’s performance at different listening-positions then adjusts the Total Sonics suite’s parameters to compensate for acoustics issues, restoring the designer’s sonic signature in the product’s new home.
By relying on cloud computing, mics in the customer’s phone, and efficient Total Sonics processing running in the SoC factored into the product’s BOM, Total Cal requires no additional hardware to implement – a stark departure from competitive solutions. Total Cal’s low cost and familiar mobile interface are an evolution beyond traditional approaches, bringing room correction into more homes by making it accessible on a wider range of products.
Evolving into our new identity, Total Sonics
Through a combination of customer demand and our natural curiosity we’ve proven these innovative technologies perform well on TVs, pro & consumer speakers, phones & tablets, computers, and other devices. Though we are proud of dbx-tv’s legacy of excellence and reluctant to abandon the “dbx” name, the “tv” suffix doesn’t apply outside of TVs. To fulfill our vision of enabling fantastic audio on more devices we must evolve into our new identity.
I am proud to re-introduce us as Total Sonics, a reflection of both our mission and our core strength – improving audio experiences in the home by creating efficient, easy-to-use audio processing and calibration software.
If your product has speakers, Total Sonics will help your design sound its best – even after the customer brings it home!
The new identity as Total Sonics will project this vision.
www.totalsonics.com
