Voice Activity Detector
The Voice Activity Detector (VAD) is an audio processing component that automatically detects the presence of speech within an audio signal. By distinguishing between speech and background noise in real time, the VAD enables intelligent audio workflows such as microphone gating, automixing, and camera control. The VAD is designed for seamless integration into Q-SYS designs, providing reliable speech detection for a wide range of conferencing, presentation, and voice-activated applications.
Input
Input - Audio Input Pin
Connect this pin to the audio signal you want the Voice Activity Detector to monitor. The component analyzes this signal to determine when human speech is present and drives the Voice, Confidence, and Threshold control outputs accordingly.
Properties
Voice Activity Detector Properties
Voice Output
Enables or disables the audio output that is gated by voice detection.
Yes - The component outputs a version of the input signal that is passed only when speech is detected (non-speech / noise is suppressed).
No - The component does not provide a gated audio output; the VAD still analyzes the input and updates its control outputs (for use with external gates, automixers, camera control, etc.).
Graphic Properties
Label
User-defined text that appears next to the component on the Schematic. Changing the label does not affect the component name or system behavior.
Position
Specifies the X and Y coordinates of the component on the Schematic. The values update automatically when you move the component, and can be edited to place the component at an exact location.
Fill
Sets the background color of the component block on the Schematic. This is for visual organization only and does not affect system operation.
Script Access
Code Name
Displays the currently assign name for control access. You can use the auto-assigned name or customize it. Q-SYS will automatically check all Code Names in the design to ensure name is unique.
Script Access
Defines whether the component will be accessible by script and/or externally, or not at all. Choices include All, External, None (default), and Script.
- None (default) - Not accessible by any script, plugin, or by Q-SYS Remote Control Protocol (QRC).
- Script - Can be accessed by scripts, such as Text Controller, Block Controllers, and plugins only.
- External - Can only be accessed by 3rd party controls systems using component commands from the Q-SYS Remote Control Protocol (QRC).
- All - No restrictions, can be accessed by 3rd party control systems via Q-SYS Remote Control Protocol (QRC), or script objects or plugin objects.
Tip: Use Script Programmer Mode to quickly view the Script Access setting directly on the component in the design schematic without the need to disconnect from the Q-SYS Core processor.
Controls
Confidence
A real-time value generated by the Voice Activity Detector that represents the estimated likelihood that human speech is present in the audio signal. Higher values indicate greater certainty of speech detection.
Threshold
Determines the minimum Confidence value required for the VAD to indicate speech presence. When the Confidence exceeds this Threshold, the VAD considers speech to be detected.
Voice
A logic output that indicates whether speech is currently detected. The output is active (true/on) when the Confidence value meets or exceeds the Threshold, and inactive (false/off) otherwise
Control Pins
|
Pin Name |
Value |
String |
Position |
Pins Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Band Mute |
0 1 |
unmute mute |
0 1 |
Input / Output |
|
Master Gain |
-20 to 20 |
-20 dB to 20 dB |
0.000 to 1.00 |
Input / Output |
|
Master Invert |
0 1 |
normal invert |
0 1 |
Input / Output |
|
Master Mute |
0 1 |
unmute mute |
0 1 |
Input / Output |
Troubleshooting
Using Components with Snapshot Controller Ramp Time
Components such as the Crossover Component or other Text Controller or Custom Controls like the Integer Knobs, and Hexadecimal Knobs will not be recalled by Snapshot if the Ramp Time is a non-zero number.
