Genelec is marking the 15th anniversary of its GLM loudspeaker manager software with the release of GLM 4.1, which brings new features and improvements, thanks to the introduction of the AutoCal 2 automatic room calibration algorithm.
Introduced in 2006 and based on decades of research, GLM integrates with the intelligent DSP hardware within each Genelec Smart Active Monitor, allowing each monitor and subwoofer to be networked, configured and individually calibrated for a specific acoustic environment. Compatible with all Genelec Smart Active Monitors and Subwoofers, this update gives control over a room’s detrimental acoustic influences, enabling the mixes that translate more consistently to other rooms and playback systems.
GLM’s reference microphone kit allows a user’s room acoustics to be accurately analysed, and each monitor and subwoofer automatically calibrated for relative level and relative distance delay, plus subwoofer crossover phase and frequency response. At this point there many options for personalisation – including the calibration of absolute listening level in dB SPL, according to global broadcast, OTT, gaming and film standards.
With a wide range of listening rooms now being used for production, GLM 4.1 specifically improves the calibration of spaces that are more acoustically ‘lively’ than was once the norm, and assists those choosing to monitor at ultra nearfield (UNF) distances right down to 50 cms – which is now growing in popularity as a bridge between in-room and headphone monitoring.
GLM 4.1’s AutoCal 2 feature takes advantage of detailed background information of each monitor in a system, producing a quicker and more accurate discrimination between direct and reflected sound. The fast calibration speed is further enhanced by a completely new 64-bit architecture and fresh, lean code. GLM 4.1 is therefore a powerful tool for mobile audio engineers and creatives who are regularly working in different locations. That mobility is also supported by GLM 4’s choice of Cloud-based and local storage of settings.
Users of the 8331A, 8341A, 8351B and 8361A models from The Ones series of coaxial three-way point source monitors will find GLM 4.1 able to extend phase linearity down to 80Hz. With coaxial monitors, phase linearity is a valuable feature because it improves off-axis performance and stabilises UNF imaging too. GLM 4.1 accurately time-aligns all the monitors in a room, across types, taking The Ones’ wide phase linearity setting into account.
Other new features include an increased number of EQ filters offering more flexibility, weighting refinements when taking advantage of GLM’s unlimited number of microphone measurement points, and a Solo-X mode for faster soloing of monitors when working with immersive content. Finally, through the addition of French, Italian and Portuguese language options, international users of GLM 4.1 are now able to choose from ten user languages.
‘The AutoCal calibration algorithm has always been the backbone of GLM,’ says Genelec MD, Siamäk Naghian. ‘I can think of no better way of celebrating GLM’s 15th anniversary than with the launch of AutoCal 2 as part of the new GLM 4.1 release. In those 15 years, we have gradually seen intelligent loudspeaker calibration become universally recognizsd as the most reliable path to creating a true sonic reference – and we are proud to keep leading the way.’
More: www.genelec.com
