DK-Technologies addresses loudness issue for broadcasters and post-production facilities

After listening to requests from broadcasters and production houses, DK-Technologies is launching the MSD100C Loudness, which is designed to tackle the issue of the perceived loudness of audio signals.

Loudness is a hot topic for the broadcast and post-production industries. DK-Technologies’ new MSD100C Loudness is a standalone unit that incorporates ITU Recommendations BS.1770 and BS.1771, which specify the algorithms that should be used to measure audio program loudness. It is able to display the loudness of the individual audio channels, as well as the sum of the left and right signals, and can be used in any broadcast or post-production facility as a health check during production or prior to transmission.

Thomas Hansen, DK’s technical director, said, “There are many applications where it is necessary to measure and control the perceived loudness of audio signals. Examples of this include television and radio broadcast applications, where the nature and content of the program material changes frequently. In these applications, the audio content can continually switch between music, speech and sound effects.

“Such changes in the content of the program material can result in significant changes in subjective loudness. Moreover, various forms of dynamic processing are frequently applied to the signals, which can have significant effect on its perceived loudness,” he said.

The MSD100C Loudness is available in a variety of languages and can be delivered with different scales to suit different broadcasters, while still maintaining the consistent loudness measurement as set out by the ITU.

For more information, visit www.dk-technologies.com.