Some of the surround and high-resolution product highlights from the fall AES Convention.
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Digidesign Pro Tools 6.0
The latest version of the popular DAW features support for Apples OS X, a streamlined look for the Mix, Edit, and Transport Windows, and new multiuser login functionality, which enables users to save custom display, operation editing, automation, processing, compatibility, and MIDI preferences. Additional features include the new DigiBase file management utility, enhanced MIDI functionality, additional Beat Detective features, new Import Session options, plug-in functionality enhancements, and Machine Control additions. For more information, visit www.digidesigns.com.
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Waves Launches 360 Surround Toolkit
Waves LTD has released the 360 Surround Toolkit. The suite is being released exclusively on DSP for Digidesign Pro Tools|HD and MIX systems on the Macintosh platform. The kit consists of seven surround tools including Surround Manager, Surround Reverb, Surround Imager, Surround Limiter, Surround Compressor, Surround mixdown, and Surround Panner. For more information, contact Waves at 865-546-6115, or visit www.waves.com.
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Sabra-SOM SMS 5.1
This new microphone support allows for the positioning of five different mics, in five different directions, in a 360-degree spectrum, with full angular capturing adjustment. For more information, visit www.sabrasom.com.br.
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Qolle Digital Portable Mixer izm125
This digital portable mixer is a battery-powered, 8-channel audio mixer with 8-channel microphone head amplifier, Analog HPF and Comp functions on each channel, and AES/EBU stereo master output. It also features TDIF/mLAN on FireWire digital multitrack outputs for 5.1 surround recording when directly connected to a PC-based recorder. Twenty-four-bit A/D-D/A converters with 32-bit processing, acceptable sample rates of 44.1/48/88.4/96 kHz, digital equalizer, digital master limiter, RS-422 port Sony 9-pin VTR control protocol, MIDI and FireWire ports using MMC protocol, and LTC reader generator round out the features list. It supplies 48V power to microphones. For more information, contact Tumara Corporation at 909-699-1270.
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Neundo 2.0 Unveiled
Stienberg unveiled the Neundo 2.0 media production system, which offers 12 discrete channels, and a new way of organizing inputs and outputs that allows users to customize multichannel input/output configurations and switch between them with a single keystroke. It also includes the ability to use several configurations at the same time, a 32-bit floating point mixer with multiple channel inputs and outputs, the ability to keep track of which parts of the signal chain is multichannel and which part is stereo or mono, and extended effects routing. Additional features include VST signal link, and an array of networking capabilities that let the user transfer tracks and events over TCP/IP LAN. Each user in the network gets his or her own user ID and read/write permissions for each TCP/IP project. For more information, contact Steinberg at 818-678-5100, or visit www.steinberg.com.
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Syntrillium Previews Support for Microsofts Media 9 Series
Syntrillium previewed Cool Edit Pro 2.0s support for the Microsoft Windows Media 9 Series Platform, and the new Windows Media Audio 9 Professional codec that enables Web-based delivery of 6-channel surround sound with full-spectrum, full-resolution audio at the recent AES convention. For more information, contact Syntrillium Software Corporation 888-941-7100 or visit www.syntrillium.com or www.cooledit.com.
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Trident Audio Series 80 5.1 Console
The Trident Audio Series 80 5.1 has the same sound and look as the patented John Oram EQ with added features such as more aux send and stereo returns with routing and EQ, logic control, and a center master section that has a 2-channel Hi-Def EQ and a sonicomp compressor limiter. Other features include 5.1 mix and playback capabilities and the ability to combine 24 century models from the ORAM BEQ Pro-24 Series consoles into the same frame as the Trident Series 80 5.1. A moving fader and mute automation system is available. A fully automated console with remote palladium contact patchbay is available with 48 inputs for less than $100,000. For more information, contact John Oram at 011-44-1474-815-300 or visit www.oram.co.uk.
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Genex Introduces Next Generation GX9000 and GX9048 Digital Recorders at AES LA
Genex Audio announces the launch of the GX9000 and GX9048 next generation digital recorders. The Genex recorders are, according to the company, the first instant access DSD recorders capable of seamless punch in and punch out, the first recorders capable of single wire 192 kHz PCM recording, and the first recorder capable of processing up to 48 channels of DSD data. The GX9000 is an 8-channel master recorder capable of 8/24/192 kHz PCM and/or eight channels of DSD recording/playback. The GX9048 is a modular (up to) 48-track recorder capable of 48-channel 24/192 kHz PCM recording or up to 48 channels of DSD recording/playback from a single hard drive. For more information, contact Genex at 310-828-6667 or visit www.genexaudio.com.
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AMD and Steinberg Deliver Digital Audio Workstations
AMD and Steinberg have teamed up to provide digital audio workstations for Steinberg Producer Group Members. The AMD Athlon MP processor-based workstations allow you to perform pre- and postproduction on one workstation to produce high-resolution CDs or DVDs. The AMD Athlon MP processor is a seventh-generation x86 processor designed for high-performance multiprocessing on several workstations. Smart MP technology increases data movement between the two CPUs chipset and memory systems. It features dual point to point, high-speed 266 MHz system busses with Error Correcting Code, 2.1 GB per second per CPU for bus bandwidth in a dual processor system, and optimized Modified Owner Shared Invalid cache coherency protocol that manages data and memory traffic in a multiprocessing environment. For more information, visit www.amd.com.
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Sonic Studio Announces DSD/SACD Option for SonicStudio HD
Sonic Studios introduced their new Direct Stream Digital option for the SonicStudio HD workstation. The option will offer complete Scarlet Book authoring integration with Sonic Studios authoring and editing system, full authoring capabilities, and integrated DST encoder. Additional features include eight inputs and eight outputs, support for 16×8-channel DSD mixing internally, and 8-channel playback with crossfades. It is planned for release at the end of the first quarter, 2003. For more information, contact Sonic Studio at 763-577-1535, or visit www.sonicstudio.com.
