News

RTW partners with Merging for RAVENNA solution in its TouchMonitor 5

RTW, known for its professional audio metering and monitoring solutions, has worked with Merging Technologies to integrate RAVENNA into its newest product, the TouchMonitor 5.

Because RAVENNA allows for high-definition, low-latency audio transport over IP networks, RTW knew that it would be an important addition for its customers.

“For our clients where real-time audio is critical, RAVENNA’s low latency and reliable transport features make it especially valuable. These features help ensure that the audio reaches its destination with minimal delay and with consistent quality, both of which are essential in live and recorded productions”, explains Thomas Valter, Director of Product Management at RTW. “RAVENNA enables the TouchMonitor 5 to function as an advanced networked loudness meter for audio-over-IP networks, supporting immersive formats and offering a comprehensive set of tools for measuring loudness, level, and phase.”

To offer this solution to its customers, RTW turned to Merging Technologies for its expertise. “Merging Technologies has an excellent reputation in the industry and has always been responsive to our needs,” says Valter. “Working together is always a pleasure as the team are dedicated to providing the best solutions. We've worked with Merging on previous projects, and our ongoing relationship is very important to us.”

RTW has been developing innovative tools for high-quality audio monitoring across broadcast, production, post-production, and quality control for 60 years and the TouchMonitor 5 looks like it will be a strong addition to this portfolio.

RTW TouchMonitor 5 (Image credit: RTW)

“This product delivers an extensive array of measurement tools, ensuring compliance with international loudness standards and professional delivery specifications” says Valter. “It supports various formats, including stereo, surround, and immersive formats like 5.1 and 7.1.4, making it versatile for a wide range of audio applications. The 5-inch touchscreen display offers high resolution and can be customised to fit individual preferences, allowing users to tailor layouts and tools.”

Key features include a Loudness Chart that tracks loudness over time and a Vectorscope to detect phase issues. The monitor also supports AES67, further expanding its compatibility with other audio-over-IP standards.

“Our clients are mainly broadcasters, encompassing the majority of prominent national, public and private networks,” Valter explains. “During a live event like a football match, for example, the broadcaster must comply with strict audio level regulations. The TouchMonitor 5 helps them monitor how loud the broadcast is and ensure compliance with these regulations.”

“But they don’t just use these meters for live transmission,” Valter adds. “They’re also vital for quality control. For instance, if a broadcaster is transmitting a football match produced by a partner, the TouchMonitor 5 ensures the signal they receive from their production partner falls within the given guidelines. Once a live event is broadcast, you can't edit it, so it's critical to get the levels right from the outset. This device helps customers do exactly that."

The team at Merging Technologies are pleased with what the relationship has achieved. "Collaborating with RTW has been a remarkable journey," says Rune Jacobsen OEM Manager at Merging Technologies. "We're encouraged to see how our AES67 RAVENNA solution, with its accompanying support for ST2110 and NMOS, has been integrated into the TouchMonitor 5 with such positive effects. This will significantly enhance the user experience for RTW's customers. By combining high-definition audio transport, low latency, and reliable features like ST2110 and NMOS into one solution, we've created a product that's truly enhancing the quality of audio metering and monitoring in the industry."