L-Acoustics takes immersive tech to next level with L-ISA 3.0

L-Acoustics has announced the launch of L-ISA 3.0, the latest and most comprehensive version of its immersive audio software platform for live sound and music creation.

The L-ISA 3.0 mixing software has been upgraded to make immersive audio more accessible, delivering powerful tools that make it easier to create and automate compelling spatial audio content, live or in the studio.

L-ISA’s FX Engine allows sound designers to create reactive movements and trajectories of any kind: reactive to the designer and reactive to other objects within L-ISA to create true organic movements. These fully customisable controls and behaviours can be additively applied to unlimited objects.

The new Stereo Mapper feature in L-ISA 3.0 maps existing stereo content to an immersive speaker configuration, without changing the original artist’s mix. This allows L-ISA venues to welcome artists who prefer to perform in stereo without the need to change their L-ISA configuration.

Stereo Mapper distributes stereo content to an L-ISA configuration while conserving a similar power distribution as traditional left/right array configurations to retain the original stereo image and overall mix. Low-frequency coverage is also increased throughout the venue — reducing or even improving the stereo image while maintaining or improving low-frequency directivity. Any out-fill speakers can be time aligned to either stereo or immersive, making switching between stereo and spatial content seamless or achievable on the fly.

An entirely updated Snapshot Engine provides increased granularity and scope of what can be stored in snapshots, allowing users to choose which sources are visible at any given moment in time, with features such as source processing, delay, reverb, and more.

Meanwhile, a new Edit Mode allows users to visualise the position of audio sources in each snapshot, making it easier to follow an object’s position across the soundscape at a specific moment in time. The brand-new Preview Mode, available for both online and offline use, makes it possible to visualise the position of specific objects in different snapshots or an object’s position throughout every snapshot. If changes are needed, users can make on-the-fly adjustments in Preview Mode without any interruption or downtime.

L-Acoustics has also expanded the L-ISA ecosystem, making it possible to install qualified third-party applications and technologies on the L-ISA Processor II. The first application to natively leverage L-ISA is Mixhalo, an ultra-low latency networking technology that unlocks high-fidelity, augmented audio for fans at live events, which is now fully integrated into the L-ISA 3.0 platform.

Mixhalo offers audiences multi-channel audio streaming via their own phones and headphones. Fans can hear the full band mix with studio-quality sound at a concert or focus on a guitar mix or drum solo, or they could tap into a binaural mix powered by the L-ISA Processor. Coupling Mixhalo with the L-ISA Processor II allows show designers to natively control Mixhalo-augmented audio content directly from the processor and stream directly to mobile phones. L-Acoustics and Mixhalo will start a public Beta phase with a select number of qualified Certified Providers this month.

“As consumer audio platforms such as Apple Music, Tidal, and Amazon Music continue to make spatial audio more ubiquitous, having the ability to create and perform in immersive is now a necessity and accessible to all — regardless of skill level or format,” said Scott Sugden, Director of Product Management, Software, and Electronics, L-Acoustics. “The new L-ISA 3.0 platform brings more value to our immersive technology platform for those who’ve chosen to use it in their venues and for those who choose to create their content with it.”

Additionally, the L-ISA Studio desktop processor has gone from 12 outputs to 16, giving on-the-go sound designers more options for their immersive sound content.

L-ISA 3.0 will be at InfoComm Booth 5751, Level 2, and Demo Room W320, Level 3, in the Chapin Theater.

L-ISA 3.0 functionalities are available now; visit L-Acoustics.com to download L-ISA Studio for free.