ESS Introduces Crescendo VII Audio Processing SoC for Soundbars and Wireless Speakers

ESS Technology announced today it’s 7th-generation of audio processors for soundbars and wireless speakers. The Crescendo VII is a highly integrated solution for consumer audio products that provides a multicore platform for system control and signal processing with a range of inputs and interfaces. Combining audio processing and signal routing with DTS Virtual:X certification, the Crescendo VII enables compact, power-efficient, and cost-effective designs for soundbars, wireless speakers, and active subwoofers.

Lattice Semiconductor announced its new low power FPGA platform, Lattice Nexus. The platform is architected to deliver power-efficient performance that will benefit developers of a wide range of applications, including voice processing and edge computing for connected devices. Built with innovations at every level of design, from solutions, to architecture, to circuit, the new Lattice Nexus FPGAs deliver higher system performance at significantly reduced power consumption.

Anytime we need to login to the local Wi-Fi or pair with another Bluetooth device, we think, "There must be a better way to do this!" That's precisely one of the exciting possibilities for data-over-sound technology. This article explains what else we can do with it, and how it works. It also explores how data-over-sound can be realized in embedded scenarios, and how Chirp’s new technology, using the Arm Cortex-M4 and Cortex-M7 processors, can be implemented in connected products. This article was originally published in audioXpress, November 2019.

This Voice Coil’s Spotlight, written by Vance Dickason with commentary from Floyd Toole, Wolfgang Klippel, Andrew Jones, and James Croft, focuses on Zero Phase in Studio Monitors. As Dickason explains, "the implication of using FIR filters to zero out the phase of a loudspeaker to improve its subjective performance seems inherently flawed given all the research done over years that concluded that the human ear is not very sensitive to phase or group delay." This article was originally published in Voice Coil, October 2019.

audioXpress December 2019 dives into the latest wireless audio and DSP platforms and solutions in a dedicated Market Update, followed by a review of the latest Audio Precision APx555 B Series audio analyzer. David Logvin shares his experience with the xCORE VocalFusion development platform by XMOS, while Michael Steffes re-confirms a theory that cascaded amplifier + ADC harmonic distortion combine as voltage swings. Christopher Paul explores alternative approaches to the design of a linear current regulator for audio tube amplifiers, Menno van der Veen details an 18 W single-ended valve amplifier using Trans technology, and Richard Honeycutt investigates whether or not swapping out comparable tubes makes any audible difference in a guitar amplifier’s sound. Download your own copy now!

Waves Audio is a leading developer of professional audio signal processing technologies and audio plug-ins for music production, broadcast, post-production and live sound. The company now announced the availability of V11, a new major upgrade for Waves plug-ins that will ensure compatibility with future operating systems and DAW systems. Wave also announced that is now shipping Waves SuperRack, the next generation of plug-in processing software for live sound and broadcast applications.

Qualcomm Technologies, a subsidiary of Qualcomm, announced a new development kit based on the Qualcomm QCA4020 multimode SoC that is qualified by Amazon’s Alexa Voice Service (AVS) for AWS IoT Core connected devices. The new Qualcomm Home Hub 100 kit supports Alexa Voice Service using a microcontroller (MCU) and Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) with Multimode Connectivity and adds to Qualcomm's’ line up of voice enabling products including kits that can allow OEMs to easily integrate Alexa into smart speakers and hearables.

It's taking a while , but finally we are seeing a consistent transition to more USB-C audio solutions. Steinberg announced the immediate availability of its new range of audio interfaces, comprising the UR22C, the UR44C and the UR22C Recording Pack. An additional UR816C rackmount interface is scheduled for release in November 2019. Each model in the new range features different input/output capabilities, sharing the same overall robust build quality, Yamaha D-PRE audio preamps and a comprehensive software bundle.

The October 2019 edition of Voice Coil is packed full of essential reading material. Vance Dickason discusses Zero Phase in Studio Monitors with commentary from industry experts. In Acoustic Patents, a new Speaker Structure design patented by Yamaha, and a new Passive Acoustic Radiator Module, invented by Joseph Sahyoun are under review. And Test Bench characterizes a new high power coaxial compression driver and horn from B&C Speakers, and a 28 mm silk dome tweeter from Trueanalog. Now available to download!

Earthquake Sound is now shipping its new range of powered MiniMe DSP subwoofers, combining 600-watts of high efficiency Class D power in two models, with 10- or 12-inch long throw high-quality drivers, combined respectively with a 10- or 12-inch Mass Tuned SLAPS patented passive radiator system. Both the MiniMe DSP P10 and MiniMe DSP P12 offer full mobile app control of the built-in DSP features, including Auto Room Correction, SHS (Sub-harmonic Synthesizer), Selective Variable Crossover and operation switch for different ranges.