AFC Image Sound Image Control
What is AFC Image?
AFC Image is an immersive system that allows users to control the perceived positions of acoustic images within a space. AFC Image provides broad content creation support for theater, opera, concert, installation, event and other applications. Comprehensive functionality facilitates smooth, efficient workflow from content creation right through to playback at the final venue, giving creators a stress-free environment where they can concentrate fully on realizing their vision without being hampered by technical details. The ability to use multiple external control devices chosen by the user enables flexible system design while providing an extraordinary degree of creative freedom.
Musical performance
Sound localization maximizes reality and impact
Sound localization maximizes reality and impact
Because AFC Image enables precise positioning of perceived sound sources anywhere in a space, it is an ideal way to ensure that the sounds being produced by a performer are heard coming from that performer’s location for maximum realism. It can also be used to position sound effects anywhere in the performance space or around the audience for the greatest possible impact.
Experiential installation
Exceptional experiences for interactive exhibits
Exceptional experiences for interactive exhibits
Sound creation is another area where AFC Image excels, making it possible to deliver unique new sonic experiences in museums, theme parks, projection mapping installations, and more. In interactive exhibits it can give visitors a more personalized, intimate experience that will leave a lasting impression.
Live performance
Immersive layout elevates the quality of live music
Immersive layout elevates the quality of live music
The “reality enhancement” capabilities of this technology are also ideal for application to live music performance. By ensuring that the sound of each individual instrument or voice in an ensemble actually appears to be emanating from the corresponding instrument or voice, the audience has a greater sense of reality, depth, and immersion in the music.
Case studies
What sets us apart
Diverse product lineup offers scalability and easy upgrades
Diverse product lineup offers scalability and easy upgrades
With a diverse product lineup that delivers industry-leading quality and performance from system input to output, Yamaha and NEXO offer scalable solutions that meet a wide range of system requirements, from mid-range to very high end.
Open-architecture DSP for Flexibility and Customization
Open-architecture DSP for Flexibility and Customization
AFC Image runs on a Yamaha or NEXO DME signal processor for maximum system support and flexibility. The DME series of open-architecture DSP engines originated with the widely used Yamaha processors of the same name, with models now offered under both the Yamaha and NEXO brands. The DME processor used to host AFC Image can be simultaneously used as a general processor, and the AFC Image audio component can be freely activated or deactivated as necessary (with the appropriate license), according to the current needs of the system.
Refined Operation with Yamaha Mixing Consoles
Refined Operation with Yamaha Mixing Consoles
Only the Yamaha Group offers this level of input-to-output functionality, performance, and universality for immersive audio. The comprehensive, granular control and operational efficiency provided by Yamaha’s extensive lineup of acclaimed digital mixing consoles is second to none.
3D Reverb
3D Reverb
In a real acoustic space, perceived reverberation varies with the listening position. A knowledge base built up over years of designing theaters and halls has allowed Yamaha to develop original 3D reverberation technology that creates reverb optimized for the locations of individual objects, resulting in a deeper, more realistic sound field. The directionality and spread of the reverberation can be freely controlled via an intuitive graphical interface.
Technologies
Content Creation
Nuendo (Steinberg)
The industry leading Nuendo DAW is the first choice for many professionals working in immersive sound, TV post-production, and game audio. Its MultiPanner is a powerful, highly valued tool for object-based or channel-based 3D sound mixing. Nuendo continues to innovate not only with features users need right now, but also with high-end capabilities that look to the future and drive the entire post-production industry forward. It natively supports Yamaha immersive systems so that content previously created using Nuendo can be reproduced with full impact in the latest Yamaha immersive environment.
VST Plugin
The AFC Image Panner and AFC Image Plugin Host VST plugins make it possible to control and record panning automation and parameters for AFC Image sound objects from a Nuendo or Ableton Live DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). Object size, 3D reverb, and AUX send can also be controlled.
*Supported in the future.
System Design
NS-1 (NEXO)
NS-1 is a powerful, intuitive system design and simulation tool that supports all NEXO products. Using a simple drag-and-drop interface, this software brings real-world measurements of all NEXO systems together with some very complex mathematics to accurately predict sound propagation and acoustic delay in three dimensions. NS-1 speaker system parameters can be easily transferred to and used with AFC Image. NS-1 is a free download.
It also supports a wide range of Yamaha professional audio speakers and includes AFC Design Assistant, which works closely with Yamaha’s AFC Image to deliver high end immersive audio. AFC Design Assistant provides the necessary guidelines for the required number and placement of speakers to provide a full immersive audio experience for an entire audience.
Rendering Area Conversion
For object-based rendering, the user can convert the DAW or console panning/rendering area to any configuration from a basic cube to a 16-sided polygon within which objects can be positioned. Three layers are available with heights that can be individually defined by the user. All of this means that, for example, objects being output from a console could be rendered and controlled within the stage area from the console, while objects being output from a DAW are rendered and controlled within the audience area.
Speaker Zoning
Speaker zoning allows audio objects to be assigned to specific sets of speakers within the system. AFC Image allows up to 32 speaker zones to be defined for precise yet flexible control of perceived object position. Audio objects assigned to zones allow sounds to be sourced from only the desired speakers within the system.
Operation
A Vast Controller Ecosystem
AFC Image can be used with a wide range of external controllers so that creators and engineers can create systems that meet their needs in every detail. AFC Image control devices include RIVAGE PM* and DM7* series Yamaha digital mixing consoles, DAW, and so on.
*Control from the mixing console will be supported in the future.
AFC Image Controller
AFC Image Controller is a dedicated software application that allows setup and control of AFC Image immersive panning via an intuitive, easy-to-use user interface. No user manual required!
Third-party Devices
AFC Image works with a comprehensive range of third-party devices such as DAWs, show controllers, tracking systems, and more. OSC commands are supported for broad compatibility as well as ongoing and expanding collaboration with third-party manufacturers.
Supported devices include:
Product Lineup
Related Products
DEK-AFC-I Expansion license
シグナルプロセッサー『DME7』に音像制御システム『AFC Image』の機能を拡張するライセンスです。1ライセンスで32IN/16OUT、2ライセンスで64IN/32OUTの『AFC Image』用コンポーネントを利用できるようになります。*ライセンスのインストールには「YAMAHA MUSIC ID for Business」へのアカウント登録と、Webサービス「ProVisionaire Cloud」を使用した、アクティベーション作業が必要です。
Product Information
AFC Image Sound Image Control
AFC Image allows users to control the perceived positions of sound within a space. AFC Image supports the control of up to 128 object-based channels of immersive sound.
The colors and finishes shown may vary from those on the actual products.
