FAQ

Do you have questions about our sound spatialization software? Consult this page to get answers to your most frequently asked questions. If you don’t find the answer to your question, don’t hesitate to contact us via our contact form.

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What is NESS ?

NESS is sound objects spatialization standalone application developed by APG. It is based on Max/MSP audio engine and uses distance based algorithms to render the spatialization of 16 objects on 4 groups of 8 speakers

NESS also integrates a binaural engine and can be used with headphones

NESS processes incoming signals on 16 inputs to create virtual sound stages for a system of loudspeaker. It is a real time processing, allowing to use it live for performances as well as for programmed shows, museography/scenography, sound design or artistic installations.

NESS is compatible with OSC and MIDI, allowing the software to be included in a more generic workflow (mixing desks, control surfaces, show control applications, other spatialization applications, audio workstations…)

APG also offers a bunch of tools and tutorials to control NESS directly from your DAW :

  • Ableton Live Plugin for NESS
  • Compatible with OSCar VST for any DAW (digital audio workstation)
  • TouchOSC UI

The algorithms of NESS are described in the white paper.

NESS does not generate sound and it is not possible to load any soundfile in NESS. It only treats incoming signals from the inputs of your sound card. To use it, you must feed it with a multitrack audio stream from a mixing desk, a DAW or a player. You can refer to the tutorials to learn how to use NESS with Reaper on the same computer.

NESS is not a loudspeaker processor, it cannot be used to equalized / tune sound systems / load speaker presets. A dedicated processor or processed amplifier must be used separately to align your sound system.

NESS is not a plugin, it is a standalone application, but we offer some ways to route the signal from your daw to NESS, check our tutorials section.

NESS only offers Binaural, DBAP and Wave Front Synthesis algorithms, as it is the most suitable for large audience coverage in live shows and theaters / clubs. You cannot choose other algorithms like Ambisonics, VBAP…

How can I get NESS ?

NESS can be downloaded here : NESS download page

License validation

The license for NESS can be obtained here : Arbane Groupe website. You must enter a valid email to get the license. Once the form is filled, click on “Download the file” to get the instructions to activate NESS. The license file is automatically sent by email.

You can check your spams.

When you launch NESS, a request is sent to our license server to check if your license is valid. The license is linked to your machine ID at its first use. One license can only have one associated machine and will not be valid on another computer.

You need an internet connection in order to validate your license, but you only need it when you launch the software. You can also use a connection sharing from your smartphone.

If you need permanent licenses for shows, please contact us

  1. Check your internet connection
  2. You must enter the entire content of the license file, including the “key/” characters
  3. Update NESS to the last versions. Bug fixes have been implemented on the license validation
  4. contact the support if needed

Hardware compatibility

Computer specifications

NESS runs on Windows (10 or newer) and Mac OS.

Audio processing in NESS is highly dependent on the number of inputs and outputs you need and on your latency requirements.

Small setups with only one group of 8 speakers and 16 sources can run perfectly on quite small CPU, but you will need to increase the I/O and signal buffers sizes, increasing the latency.

For real time uses and big setups, we recommend running NESS on a dedicated computer with a powerful CPU and no other program running

For further information on the CPU load and audio parameters, you can have a look at this document

Windows recommended configuration
CPU : 10th gen Intel Core i9 or higher / 12th gen Intel Core i7
RAM : 8 Go

Mac recommended configuration
CPU : Apple Silicon M1
RAM : 8 Go

Computer specifications

NESS is compatible with any audio device for which the driver for Windows or macOS is available For now, it has not been tested with a wide range of audio devices, and no particular problems have been submitted. If you encounter some trouble, don’t hesitate to contact us.

NESS is also compatible with some virtual sound cards like Blackhole on Mac or Rearoute from Cockos to allow routing audio from your DAW to NESS. See the tutorial section to know how to use it.

NESS is not limited to a particular brand or range of speakers. It can be used with any speaker, anyway we recommend using APG IX and IS products to ensure the smooth spatialization on a large area thanks to their wide opening and non diffraction baffle of those speakers APG – iX series

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