HARMAN Professional Releases Updated HiQnet Audio Architect™ Version 1.2 Audio System Control Software With Third-Party Controller Support

NORTHRIDGE, California – HARMAN Professional today introduced HiQnet Audio Architect™ version 1.2 professional audio control software, which now offers support of third-party controllers, along with two new Crown DriveCore Install Series amplifiers and the BSS Soundweb London BLU-GPX network-controlled GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) expander. Version 1.2 also offers additional functionality enhancements to streamline the configuration and control process for users.

HiQnet Audio Architect 1.2 is a common control software application for all devices in a sound system, from microphone to speaker. To facilitate system setup, HiQnet Audio Architect 1.2 utilizes graphical, diagrammatic representations of the installed or live sound venue, and the components and loudspeakers in the system. Devices “understand” both their physical and logical placement – in racks, arrays and rooms – and the software “learns” how they are to be used in the real world, while offering extensive setup and configuration capabilities. Audio Architect 1.2 works with numerous HARMAN Professional products and is compatible with diverse digital audio platforms including AVB, HARMAN BLU link, Cirrus Logic CobraNet®, and Audinate® Dante.

HiQnet Audio Architect 1.2 now offers comprehensive support for compiling HiQnet control strings for third-party controller devices like AMX and Crestron. Information can now be exported from the HiQnet system design for direct import into the configuration software of the desired controller. To conveniently separate system-wide control parameters, any number of new third-party controller devices can be added into the system design file and then configured separately. For each controller, a dedicated full-screen mode is provided for compiling its parameters and presets. Within the single view for each third-party device, the properties of each HiQnet parameter may be set, the string format configured to match that expected by Crestron or AMX control software or a designer’s custom format, and the final list exported for repurposing in a third-party control system design.

HiQnet Audio Architect 1.2 provides support for the new Crown DCi Network Series DCi 4|1250N and DCi 2|1250N high-power networkable amplifiers, which recently began shipping. In addition, version 1.2 offers compatibility with the BSS Audio Soundweb London BLU-GPX GPIO expander, a network-controlled component that facilitates the addition of control inputs, logic outputs and relays to systems that require extra analog control and interfacing capability.

Another significant upgrade is version 1.2’s ability to store Audio Architect venue files on Soundweb London devices for file archiving purposes. This enables compatible Soundweb London components that are connected to the network to be used as backup storage devices in a manner analogous to an external hard drive. A number of additional performance optimizations and firmware updates round out the version 1.2 upgrades.

“The new version 1.2 upgrades continue the progression of making Audio Architect a true universal software solution for professional audio system control,” said Adam Holladay, Market Manager, System Development and Integration Group. “With the addition of third-party controller device support and other upgrades, we have significantly broadened the usefulness and functionality of the application.”

More details about Audio Architect version 1.2 are available at http://archimedia.harman.com.

HARMAN (www.HARMAN.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets – supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon® and Mark Levinson®. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of 14,600 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia and reported sales of $4.5 billion for the last twelve months ended September 30, 2013.