Headliner has spoken exclusively to Genelec regional business development manager Andy Bensley about the Finnish firm’s new GLM 4.2 loudspeaker manager software, and the new 9301B multi-channel AES/EBU interface, designed to offer users cost-effective and seamless creation of scalable immersive monitoring systems up to 16 channels, using one or more bass-managed subwoofers, or 32 channels if using a second 9301B.
The GLM 4.2 update is powered by the AutoCal 2 automatic room calibration algorithm, and brings a host of new features to the table, including the GRADE Room Acoustic Report, remote control of key parameters, and improved symmetric calibration of groups of monitors and subwoofers.
By utilising the information gathered during the AutoCal calibration process, the GRADE report makes GLM the first calibration software in the world to give the user a complete analysis of their room and monitoring system performance, in line with the best practices – including ITU-R BS.1116 recommendations. The report, which as an introductory offer is available free of charge throughout 2022, provides specific observations and advice on any acoustical issues, helping users and studio designers to fine tune the room’s acoustic treatment, adjust monitor and listener positions, and optimise bass management.
Meanwhile, the addition of MIDI remote compatibility is designed to allow users to create a faster, smoother monitor control experience with both DAWs and control surfaces.
In addition, for the growing number of users embracing immersive audio, GLM 4.2 can calibrate both large and compact monitoring systems, enabling listening distances down to 50 cm (20 inches).
Subwoofer configuration has also been improved for immersive users with the new 9301B interface, which works in conjunction with Genelec 7300 series Smart Active Subwoofers to support up to 16 channels of digital audio in a format that is compatible with the 7300 series’ single AES/EBU XLR input. A single 9301B enables support for 16 channel formats such as 9.1.6 from a single subwoofer, with an additional 9301B providing compatibility with higher channel count formats such as 22.2 and others.
“For over 15 years we’ve been refining the performance and user experience of our Smart Active Monitoring series to provide our customers with truly scalable, future-proof monitoring systems that can grow with the user whenever their requirements change,” commented Genelec managing director Siamäk Naghian. “These new additions not only help the customer get the very best out of their room via the GRADE Room Acoustic Report, but they make any transition to the world of immersive monitoring cost-effective and painless. More than ever, Genelec continues to represent a secure long term investment for audio professionals the world over.”
Here, Headliner talks to Bensley to find out more about what the new GLM 4.2 has to offer the monitoring market…
What are the key upgrades available in GLM 4.2?
Probably the most significant inclusion is the Genelec Room Acoustics Data Evaluation report – known as GRADE. But there are other improvements within GLM 4.2 which include the ‘Preparations for Measurements’ page which instructs users how to optimise their microphone positioning prior to calibration, as well as the option to document the room’s dimensions and system configuration. We have improved keyboard shortcuts, expanded the information displayed in the level info panel, and enhanced GLM’s MIDI control capabilities.
What does the GRADE feature offer users?
The GRADE document provides a comprehensive insight into the performance of your Genelec Smart Active Monitoring system within the room, and provides a wealth of information which can then be used to improve your listening environment. The report has a simple colour-coded summary page which indicates excellent/good/problematic performance, and then digs in a bit deeper to each area. This gives the user clear advice as to any simple adjustments they can make themselves, and provides more advanced technical information that can be used to discuss the room’s performance with acoustic treatment suppliers or acoustic consultants.
The GRADE Room Acoustic Report is generated from the AutoCal 2 Cloud data, which is collected from the GLM calibration process. A detailed acoustic report is then generated as a PDF document and is delivered in minutes via your Genelec Community account to your inbox.
What developments have been focused on GLM’s use in immersive applications?
GLM 4.2 provides expanded system layout templates for Dolby Atmos 9.1.4 and 9.1.6, Sony 360RA and NHK 22.2. This enables users to organise their system to ensure quick access to individual loudspeakers after calibration. This makes addressing the correct loudspeaker in larger systems much easier, and means that tweaks to the system can be made on the fly from the listening position. The Calibration Group ID feature gives users the ability to group loudspeakers to ensure the same symmetrical settings are applied when they’re calibrated as a group. This can be useful when calibrating pairs of height channels in immersive systems, to give consistency when loudspeakers share similar positions.
Have you seen increasing demand for more immersive capabilities in GLM software?
Yes, definitely. From the very first version of GLM back in 2006, our Smart Active Monitors have had the ability to scale to any multi-channel application, so the architecture was already in place before the recent explosion in immersive audio.
GLM 4.2 not only offers support for current immersive formats, but with the ability to scale to over 80 loudspeakers and subwoofers we can support customers at every stage of their immersive journey. Not only does GLM 4.2 offer quicker and more precise calibration of immersive systems, but its comprehensive monitor control capabilities now have the option to assign MIDI control, meaning that GLM can offer the user control over the largest immersive systems via their DAW or an external control surface.
Tell us about the improvements to subwoofer configuration?
We have included support for our new 9301B multichannel interface which allows users to integrate and intelligently bass manage up to 16 loudspeakers via one subwoofer. In some situations, it’s difficult to accommodate multiple subwoofers due to lack of available space, so this means that a user in a compact room can create a 9.1.6 system with just a single sub. For applications where multiple subwoofers are used, we have developed the Subwoofer Group ID feature to improve the daisy chaining of multiple subwoofers – which increases low frequency output capacity.
When is GLM 4.2 available?
It’s available to download from the 17Th of May from genelec.com/glm, and visitors to that page can find a wealth of links to educational material on GLM, GRADE, and immersive audio in general.