Orban has announced MXneo, a new limiting algorithm for OPTIMOD 5950 and 5950 HD broadcast processors. The update is designed to retain the punch and loudness associated with the existing MX limiter while reducing distortion on heavily processed contemporary music and improving high-frequency behaviour.
Two controls expose the compromise directly to the operator. MXneo Distortion Control adjusts the broader relationship between loudness, punch and artefacts, while HF Distortion Control focuses on high-frequency energy. A separate Classical Music Mode prioritises transparency over maximum loudness. Orban is also preparing factory presets for different programme formats.
The technical relevance is operational choice. Broadcast processors often hide complex psychoacoustic and peak-management decisions behind format presets, but stations may need different balances for pop, speech and classical services. More explicit control can make those compromises repeatable without replacing hardware. Orban says MXneo will be a free download and is demonstrating it at IBC2026. A release date, objective distortion plots, loudness-normalised comparisons and compatibility with processor software versions remain unpublished.
