Wheatstone AIRAURA X3 Processor

AirAura X3’s incredible dial presence, three selectable stereo multiplex modulation methods, the ability to help mask coding artifacts, and its mitigation of many stereo multipath annoyances as well as its exclusive clipper technology make it THE processor for on-air FM.

NEW AirAura X3 Distortion-Managed Final Clipper

AirAura X3’s has an entirely new final clipping technology that does two things very well: loud and clean. Simultaneously.

Its new final peak clipper is based on proven Vorsis technology that does not generate the objectionable aliasing and intermodulation distortions commonly associated with less-complex clipper technology. The result is squeaky
clean audio, even at extremely competitive loudness levels. AirAura utilizes high resolution distortion recognition algorithms to discern audio from distortion. The fine-grained selectivity afforded by this technology is the
best way to sense and truly mitigate distortion. Other technologies can only make a “best guess” at separating desirable audio components from undesirable distortion products.

By analyzing the audio and the distortion products created during peak control, AirAura removes distortion products and other artifacts that a listener might find objectionable. It is highly adept at minimizing intermodulation distortion, especially close-spaced difference frequency intermodulation products in the midrange frequencies where human hearing is the most sensitive.

During beta testing in major markets listeners commented about how smooth and open the entire audio spectrum sounded when processed by our new AirAura clipper. Achieving effortless competitive loudness on the air while remaining subjectively cleaner than their usual on-air processor was never an issue. In fact, in one top-ten market we were actually asked if we could “turn it down just a little bit.”

NEW AirAura X3 PostCode Tool

Some audio processors precondition audio to make it more favorable for a codec’s input, but no on-air processor had ever been developed with features specifically designed
 to help already coded stereo audio sound better after
the fact. That is, until now.

AirAura X3’s all-new PostCode Tool ™ helps minimize the audibility of coding artifacts in stereo program material without degrading the overall listening experience. By reducing the swishing, swirling, grainy artifacts of coded audio, the AirAura X3 enables listeners to listen as long as they like with no fatigue.

NEW AirAura X3 “Fine Grain” Processing

The AirAura X3 has an entirely new algorithm for selectively processing only those frequencies that need processing, which overcomes the limitations of peak limiters in other on-air processors. Using 31 limiter bands selected according to ISO standard 1/3 octave center frequencies, the AirAura limiters (one for FM, one for HD) perform precision spectral energy control without generating additional density or artifacts usually associated with peak limiters having fewer bands. Operating according to accepted principles of human psychoacoustics, the action of the limiter goes completely unnoticed by the ear. Because of the need for very shallow limiting in each band, there are absolutely no ‘swishing’ artifacts and no unnatural density buildup; just increased on-air loudness, detail, and “listenability” of the station’s programming.

NEW AirAura X3 five-band Sweet Spot AGC

AirAura X3 has an entirely new Sweet Spot Technology (SST) that effectively manages the behavior of the multiband AGC as program content density changes, something a typical broadband AGC simply cannot do. It effortlessly handles transitions between the hyper-compressed recordings of today and those of the past that have considerably more dynamic range. SST achieves uncannily natural-sounding consistency in both on-air loudness and spectral balance regardless of density variations in the incoming source material.

NEW AirAura X3 Vorsis Bass Management System

AirAura X3 has a new and better Vorsis Bass Management System (VBMS) with new tuning features that enhance deep bass without affecting the cleanliness of mid and high frequency program. Bass detail and the clarity of higher frequency audio are enhanced by this more powerful algorithm. If you thought second-generation AirAura bass was something, you will be amazed at the deep and natural sounding bass coming from the AirAura X3.

Exclusive Multipath Control

Exclusive to the Wheatstone line of audio processors is the Multipath Limiter. This single user control can help mitigate the audible effects of multipath as well as reduce receiver-induced stereo blend by limiting the amount of L-R as a percentage of L+R for a more consistent and predictable sound.

AirAura X3’s Smarter Stereo Enhancement

Operating in the sum and difference domain and utilizing specialized spectral management algorithms, AirAura’s Smart Stereo Enhance provides a smooth, natural, wide listening experience without triggering multipath effects. It delivers an extremely stable ‘on-air’ stereo image that’s exciting to listen to. Users have reported hearing, for the very first time, artistically important nuances in familiar music that could not be heard when that material was processed by other on-air processors.

Wheatstone® baseband192

Wheatstone’s baseband192 is an open standard technology that eliminates the use of an analog composite interface between processing and transmission, which has been the last holdout to the 100% digital air chain.
A single AES/EBU cable between a Wheatstone processor and a current solid-state FM transmitter carries the baseband signal, bypassing the need 
for multiplexing in the exciter and eliminating the resulting signal overshoot with associated loudness tradeoff. The baseband192 interface is now available as a standard feature in Wheatstone AirAura X3, FM-531HD and VP-8IP audio processors.