With Nuendo 13, audio engineers now have an integrated authoring and content mixing for the object-based MPEG-H Audio format developed by Fraunhofer IIS. Offering advanced interactivity options via metadata and different mix versions called presets, projects can be exported as MPEG-H ADM or MPEG-H Master files. Nuendo 13 now offers either two or three-layer z panning ranges due to the requirements of MPEG-H Audio. Three-layer z panning means sounds can now be positioned below the listener. By adding 9.1.6 speaker configuration support to the Renderer for Dolby Atmos, Nuendo 13 supports the latest surround sound developments for cinema and home theater.
According to Yannik Grewe, Senior Engineer Media Technologies at Fraunhofer IIS, with this full MPEG-H Audio integration, Nuendo gains a true object-based workflow, which is "key to high-quality renderings as well as any personalization, something that only MPEG-H Audio can do." With MPEG-H support users have an immersive audio creation tool where the user doesn't have to consider the reproduction setting and the sound is automatically optimized for each listening environment, with the rendering of the audio signals optimized for each individual playback scenario.
Commenting on the new software, Grewe also adds: "I believe that the result is fantastic: a powerful toolset which merges the features and tools of Nuendo with MPEG-H Audio authoring, rendering, and export. I like that Nuendo’s ADM Authoring window now lists MPEG-H Audio among other profiles supporting BWF/ADM, which ensures easy access and conversion. Another favorite is that Nuendo’s native 3D-panner can be used to mix signals to channels and to pan objects dynamically in MPEG-H Audio. And we think that it’s really cool how the Renderer for MPEG-H Audio “magically” receives all signals and automation lanes, and makes advanced metadata authoring, monitoring, and export easily available."
Also new, the ADM Authoring window now supports four different immersive formats: Dolby Atmos (Internal Renderer), Dolby Atmos (External Renderer), MPEG-H and OSC, displaying the attributes and settings when each format is selected.
More mixing features include an update to Headphones Match, with an additional five models, a redesigned MixConsole that offers easier access to frequently used functions, and the new Channel tab available to the Project window, with all the functionality of the channel strip without having to switch to the MixConsole.
According to the German software company, Nuendo 13 now comprises more sound design tools than ever before. One highlight is the Steinberg Vocoder, providing up to 24 filter bands, sidechain input, and in-depth control. Also new to the Nuendo feature set are the EQ-P1A and EQ-M5 equalizers as well as the Black Valve and VoxComp compressors.
For dialogue editors and ADR engineers, TonalMatch is a new direct offline process which analyses the sound characteristics of an audio recording and enables it to be transferred to other clips, matching the spectral profile (EQ) and ambient noise floor. Another highlight in Nuendo 13 is VoiceSeparator, a new, AI-based VST plug-in which can detect and isolate spoken dialogue from complex background noises, including other voices, and also to reduce or remove undesired voice sounds from background and ambient recordings.
The new VocalChain plug-in includes dedicated modules for the different steps of voice processing, including a wide range of presets exclusively for post-production, making voice sound design faster and more efficient than ever. With ADR Script Reader, ADR takes are now displayed through a web browser on any tablet or laptop on the same LAN network, giving the voice talent a digital script and an editor or session director the ability to instantly change it and add notes using Nuendo's marker data.
And there’s much more to discover in this software update, including the ability to Detect Silence Extensions for enhanced cleaning up dialogue, while keeping background noise for use on a different track; Bounce Selection allowing blank audio clips to be created from any selection; support for TTAL 1.1 Netflix dubbing workflows, including Forced Narrative and multi-character attributes; independent setting of ADR count-in and swipe options; Audition unprocessed sound for direct offline processing; and new Spectral Warp modes for the Sampler Track.
Nuendo 13 now features Track Versions for the video track, making A-B video edit comparisons within a project more convenient. With Replace Audio in Video, the user can export a new soundtrack directly into the original MP4 video file. Other enhancements include a configurable playback start position, new project templates, and track import improvements.
As for performance, Nuendo 13 offers Windows-compliant multi-window handling and an improved Windows video engine, including GPU hardware decoding for H264 and better overall performance. And by supporting Hybrid CPU Architecture, Nuendo now takes full advantage of modern computer CPUs.
To illustrate the power of the new post-production tools we recommend watching this video testimony from Johnnie Burn at Wave Studios.
Benefiting from the recent Cubase updates, Steinberg also added many new music features to Nuendo 13, including Drum and Key Editor enhancements and new chord progression presets on chord pads. Included is also the Iconica Sketch orchestral library, with 140 articulations for 34 instruments in a compact 5 GB library. And Nuendo 13 adds MIDI 2.0 support, including high-resolution velocity, CC, aftertouch, pitch bend, and poly pressure data, enhanced MIDI effects, simplified CC recording, and much more.
"Nuendo 13 is a strong update for every Nuendo user, and yet with its comprehensive feature additions in all areas of the software, we are certain to attract customers who haven’t been working with Nuendo and are now looking for new ways to enhance their productivity," says Steinberg’s Marketing Manager Luis Dongo.
Nuendo 13 is available from resellers and through the Steinberg Online Shop. The suggested retail price is 999 euros or 999.99 US dollars. An education version is available with a suggested retail price of 549 euros or 549.99 US dollars. An update from Nuendo 12 to Nuendo 13 is available with a suggested retail price of 199 euros or 199.99 US dollars. Prices may vary according to region. Further updates and crossgrades are exclusively available through the Steinberg Online Shop.
www.steinberg.net/nuendo
