Doctor Audio News for August 1999.

Greetings!

Before we get started, I want to tell everyone that Doctor Audio has a
new monthly *Specials* list. Although this list was primarily designed
to alert Doctor Audio customers to new releases and current special
sales, any interested people can sign up. Please email
specials@doctoraudio.com or visit our website.

                                       *  *  *

Ego Systems strikes again with the Waveterminal. The Wavetermimal is an
exceptional card for the money. It is a stereo analog / stereo digital
card with great specs, and it is priced much lower than all of the other
cards in it's class. Waveterminal uses a 20-bit AD/DA converter with
24-bit internal resolution. That means your original analog audio
sources retain their sonic integrity with full dynamic range and
frequency response.

Ego Systems has this to say: "With PCI Bus Mastering support,
Waveterminal works faster and more efficiently than other audio cards -
allowing your CPU to allocate more resources to your audio programs.
Typically, Waveterminal uses only about 4 to 10% of your system
resources, compared to 20 to 30% for other audio cards. This is
important if you work with complex multitrack digital audio files."

"After you've spent all the time and money for the advantages of digital
audio, you don't want to let it go to waste with mismatched impedance.
If you know anything about analog audio, you'd never hook up
professional audio equipment with consumer audio gear. All pros use +4
dBu balanced I/O's. Don't settle for anything less."

"Waveterminal can record and playback 4 channels of analog and/or S/PDIF
digital audio simultaneously. For example, you can record digital audio
from your CD-ROM and analog stereo audio simultaneously, while you
playback some other digital audio samples through S/PDIF and analog
outputs - all at the same time."

The WaveTerminal card lists for under $300, (Doctor Audio has it for
$219) so it is quite a bargain. The Ego Systems tech people are on the
ball too. I have gotten a quick response everytime I have emailed in a
question. These people are serious about their product, and I believe
they will be a major player in the digital audio hardware game soon.


Features:

*High quality 20 Bit A/D D/A convertors; 99 dB Dynamic range
*2 X 2 Balanced/Unbalanced Analog Inputs and Outputs;
 +4 dBu Balanced/Unbalanced 1/4" (tip ring sleeve) phone jack
*4 Channel Recording and 4 Channel playback (2 Analog / 2 Digital)
at the  Same time
*24 Bit S/PDIF Digital In & Out (Electrical model)
*Supports multiple Sample Rates: 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz
*Full Duplex - Simultaneous Record / Playback
*Uses 32 Bit PCI slot; PCI bus-mastering support
*Signal-to-Noise Ratio (D/A): 108dB
*Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz
*Microsoft Windows 95/98 driver & WDM driver with Direct X
for Windows 2000(98 & NT 5.0), PC ASIO driver available soon
*Compatible with all major software (Cubase, Cakewalk, Cool Edit,
Saw Pro, Sound Forge,   etc.)

                                       *  *  *


Here is something for all of you Mac people... pluggo. It is a
collection of seventy-four VST plug-ins for VST.

Here is the pluggo hype: "There has never been anything close to the
selection of VST plug-ins we've assembled here. With the range of sound
design possibilities in pluggo, the plug-in has moved well beyond a mere
"effect." pluggo is a real-time interactive audio processing,
modulation, and even synthesis environment that works right inside your
sequencer."

The company goes on to say: "We started developing pluggo with a
breathtakingly simple yet radical concept: seventy-four plug-ins for
seventy-four dollars. We wanted people who would never consider paying
hundreds of dollars for a single plug-in to find the pluggo deal
impossible to resist. Since Max/MSP allows you to make so much cool
audio stuff so quickly, we could prototype an effect in minutes and then
ask, -- Would we pay a dollar for this? -- The result is that ideas that
would been rejected by other plug-in developers have become the stars of
the parade. Raindrops? Sine Bank? Phone Filter? Then there's the stuff
that is simply unlike anything you've ever plugged in, like Spectral
Filter, Feedback Network, Granular-to-Go, and Noyzckippr."

pluggo requires a sequencer or other audio software that uses the
Steinberg VST plug-in format running on a Mac OS computer with a PowerPC
processor running System 7.5.5 or later. 150 MHz 604 minimum recommended
processor. The number of plug-ins that you can use simultaneously
depends on the processor, its speed, and your available memory.

The pluggo plug-ins are as follows:

Synchronization: pluggoSync. Delay Effects: Flange-o-tron, Tapped Delay,
Generic Effect, Very Long Delay, Space Echo Comber. Filters:
Multi-Filter Vocoder, Cyclotron Phase Shift, Phone Filter, Swish,
Harmonic Filter, Moving Filters. Filter/Delay: Resonation, Resosweep,
FilterTaps, PlugLoop, Sizzle Delays, Mangle Filter, Raindrops. Pitch
Effects: Vibrato, Cauldron, Speed Shifte, Warble, Warpoon, Frequency
Shift. Distortion: Waveshaper, Degrader, Monstercrunch, Average
Injector, PluggoFuzz, Ring Modulatr, Noyzckippr, Feedback ,Network
Fragulator. Granulation: Slice-n-Dice, Pendulum, Shuffler, Stutterer,
Rye Wheat, Granular-to-Go. Spectral Effects: Spectral Filter, a.k.a CA
Forbidden Planet Convolver. Audio Routing: VST Host PluggoBus Rcv
PluggoBus Send Center Channel Multichannel: Audio Rate Pan, Stereo
Adjuster, Stereo Faker, Dr. Dop Swirl, Tremellow, Nebula. Synthesizers:
Synth Sine Bank. Modulators: LFO, Pluglogic, Breakpoints, Mouse, Mod,
Env Follower, Audio2Control, Control2Audio, Key Triggers, Step
Sequencer, Randomizer. Reverb/Dynamics: Rough Reverb, Chamberverb,
Dynamical. Visual Display: Light Organ Phase, Scope D-Meter.

                                       *  *  *

July 29, 1999 - Sonorus, Inc., maker of the award-winning STUDI/O
digital audio interface, has announced MEDI/O, a new multimedia sound
card designed for professional use.

MEDI/O sports features like balanced inputs and outputs,
industry-standard professional connectors, high quality analog and
digital audio connections, MIDI and synth connections, and built-in
vocal and guitar processing.

"With MEDI/O we hope to address both the enthusiast, just becoming
involved with computers and music, as well as the professional user who
requires higher performance than available with regular sound cards but
needs the standard sound card features," comments Sonorus President Marc
Lindahl. "We have put together a board which addresses these needs, and
allows for future expansion, integrating seamlessly with our flagship
audio card, STUDI/O. And using ASIC technology, we're able to deliver
this all for an amazing price."

MEDI/O has a wide array of connections, analog, digital, and MIDI. A
breakout cable and optical cables are included, and a rack-mount
breakout box is planned.

Analog Connections:
Stereo XLR MIC in (phantom/comp/lim/gate)
2x Stereo 1/4" Balanced Line In
Guitar In (comp/lim/gate/speaker cabinet simulator)
Stereo 1/4" Balanced Line Out
Stereo 1/4" Headphone/Spkr. Out
CDROM Audio In

Digital Connections: ADAT lightpipe I/O (24 bits), S/PDIF RCA I/O (20/24
bits), Word Clock I/O (75à BNC), STUDI/O Sync In Header (ribbon cable).

MIDI Connections:WaveBlaster Header, 64-voice DirectX synth/sampler
engine, 2x MIDI In, 2x MIDI Thru, 6x MIDI Out,

Software Drivers: Windows Wave Drivers: Win95, Win98, WinNT4, WDM
drivers (Windows 2000),DirectX/DirectSound drivers, ASIO drivers
(Windows), Coming soon: EASI, BeOS, MacOS, LINUX. MEDI/O is compatible
with all Windows sound and audio software. Price is to be announced.

                                       *  *  *

Steinberg Cubase 4.1 for Macintosh is now available as a free download
for registered 4.0 users at http://www.us.steinberg.net.

This version of Cubase VST for Macintosh incorporates the new VST 2.0
Plug-In interface, enabling software synthesizers and software samplers
in Plug-In format to be integrated into the VST architecture. VST 2.0
compatible PlugIns then also can be controlled in realtime via
MIDI-controls and utilise multiple Audio I/Os if available.

With ASIO 2.0 now all the compatible drivers can provide direct hardware
monitoring with zero latency and multi application support. The new ASIO
Positioning Protocol allows source and destination device to sync with
sample accuracy.

The VST Channel Views Menu now allows the user to select and specify
which VST Mixer channels will be visible. The Channel View helps to
organise the virtual studio for certain production situations: The
number of used VST channels, Submixers, Synth-, Sampler- and
Rebirth-Channels.

In addition, the Cubase VST/24 Mixer/EQ section includes an extension
with 5 new real-time processing modules - Compressor, Limiter, Auto
Gate, Auto Limit and a Soft Clip. To make the virtual studio environment
even more user-friendly, a number of VST elements can now be controlled
remotely via external devices such as the Yamaha 01-V.


Cubase VST 3.7 (PC)-- including VST 2.O. This is a FREE DOWNLOAD for 3.5
owners from www.us.steinberg.net. VST 2.0 allows MIDI control of PlugIns
and software synthesizers accessed as PlugIns. Neon Synth is included
with 3.7-- an analog synth with 5-voice polyphony. 3.7 audio folders can
also be controlled via supported MIDI fader boxes. Also, VST dynamics
are included per channel, Compressor, Noise Gate, Limiter and Soft Clip.

Recycle 1.7 for Mac and PC. Recycle is a completely redesigned 32-bit
application It now supports a number of new export formats including
Mixman TRK files and REX files on the PC.

GRM Tools-- MAC and PC VST only GRM Tools is a collection of 4 unique
creative Plug-Ins for PC and Mac VST from the Musical Research Group
(GRM) at the Institut National de l«Audiovisuel (Paris), which is well
known for its research into new sound modeling tools. The GRM Tools
Plug-Ins go beyond standard filtering, auto panning or chorus effects.
Their extreme flexibility and quality algorithms lead to a degree of
audio manipulation never heard before:

Steinberg Mastering Edition-- VST MAC and PC PlugIns includes Loudness
Maximizer, Free Filter, ME Compressor, Spectralizer, Phase Scope

Apogee MasterTools -TDM only.  MasterTools(R) offers SpectraScope
dithering algorithm UV-22(R) process within the ProTools TDM,
environment. The Plug-In has been redeveloped by the well-known audio
research company Spectral Design who have already invented a number of
innovative  products like Magneto and FreeFilter. The end result
captures the transparency and  usable dynamic range of 24-bit  audio in
formats that are limited  in bit resolution such as Compac  Discs
(16-bit).

VST DrumSessions--  VST Drum Sessions are multitrack audio grooves
recorded by real drummers, and processed so that they can be loaded into
Cubase VST and used as easily as MIDI tracks. Re-arrange them, quantize,
mix, add EQ - the possibilities are endless. The grooves have been
processed in ReCycle, and are now REX files, so  you can change the
tempo of each groove between +/- 30 BPM, in realtime, (using the
Mastertrack) without the need for any time-stretching.

                                       *  *  *

Version 4.0.1 for Logic Audio Gold and Platinum now available.

Emagic is proud to announce that Version 4.0.1 is now available for Mac
users of Logic Audio Gold and Platinum. Version 4.0.1 adds significant
functionality to the already successful 4.0 release, further
demonstrating Emagic's unyielding commitment to industry innovation and
customer satisfaction.

The most significant feature of the 4.0.1 release is direct support for
Emagic's new AMT8 and Unitor8 MkII USB MIDI interfaces. MIDI interface
communication has also been improved to include up to three simultaneous
MIDI Port connections. The settings of "Modem", "Printer", "USB" and
"OFF" can be freely selected in each of the three 'Connections',
allowing any virtual MIDI instrument to be mapped to any physical MIDI
interface. This improvement alleviates the necessity of converting songs
and setups when replacing or adding a new MIDI interface. With this new
communication protocol up to 192 MIDI ports are directly addressable -
the previous maximum was "only" 128 - another Emagic first!

In addition, Version 4.0.1 offers side-chain support for TDM plug-ins
and a pre-fader mode for audio track level meters. Extra parameters are
now available for several of the 34 included plug-ins as well as a new
display mode for selected sequences in the Matrix editor. The
performance of the audio engine has also been increased in addition to
many other detailed improvements made in response to user feedback.

The 4.0.1 update for current users of Logic Audio Gold and Platinum
Version 4.0 Mac is available for download, FREE of charge. The 4.0.1
update is also included with the Unitor8 MkII and AMT8. For customers
with no Internet access, a nominal handling charge may apply.

                                       *  *  *

>From SEKD:

Demo version of the incredible Samplitools declicker becomes available.
Alan Silverman, Grammy Award Winner, says about the Samplitools
Declicker: "My initial impression of the Samplitools
Declicker/Decrackler were very favorable. I'd say that it handily
outperforms Dart Proª and Diamond Cut 32ª in this area - no comparison
really. Samplitools Declicker is easy to use and gets excellent results
with a minimum time spent tweaking. The ease of use of this tool
combined with Samplitude's object editor makes this a fast and easy
task." 

Also, Sekd offers US pre-release of Samplitude 2496 version 5.3 with
surround editor, scalable mixer, controller groups in mixer, reverb,
AIFF Im- and Export, MP3 Codec support and more. Visit the sekd.com for
demo downloads.



BitHeadz Announces Black & Whites, the Virtual Piano for your Computer
Now shipping Mac and Windows 95/98

How would you like to own a 9 foot Steinway Grand Piano that fits inside
your computer? Well, the people at BitHeadz have done it with "Black &
Whites" the new Virtual Piano software for your computer.

Everyone wants to have a piano in their house, but the computer is usually
a more practical investment. Well, now you can actually have a 9' Steinway
grand piano in your computer! Black & Whites contains digital stereo
recordings of each note, and breakthrough technology that allows you to
actually play back those notes from your PowerMacintosh or PC. Attach any
MIDI keyboard, and you can have the same expressive, musical control over
each note as you would with a real piano! Ad some of the built in effects,
and you can perform in your very own concert hall tonight.

Based on technology developed for the Unity DS-1 Sampler, Black & Whites
uses the same playback engine to reproduce the pro quality sound found in
Unity DS-1. Over 420 megabytes of samples are included with instrument
sizes ranging from 3 MB to 44 MB in size. Over 1400 individual programs
cover everything from sonic purity to pure insanity. The 7 & 9 foot
Steinways were sampled in stereo and many of the models utilize 4 velocity
layers. There are also several Rhodes Electric Piano samples with many
variations. A control panel allows you to select from 7 different velocity
curves to tailor Black & Whites to your controller keyboard and playing
style.

Using Black & Whites with your favorite sequencer is simple. If you use
Cubase(r) VST(tm)  you can use ReWire* to route different Black & Whites
sounds into individual mixer inputs on up to 16 different MIDI Channels.
Plug-in effects can then be added to each of these parts if desired. If you
use Digital Performer by MOTU, you can achieve the same results using
MOTU's new MAS 2.0 plug in standard. Black & Whites also supports Free
MIDI, OMS, Sound Manager, and  ASIO for compatibility with all of the
popular sequencers and digital interfaces. Black & Whites retails for
$199.00 and you can find more info on the BitHeadz web site at
www.bitheadz.com

Black & Whites is already being used on stage by pros on tour. Harry
Sharpe, keyboardist for Wynonna says: "The realism of these piano samples
is astounding! These are easily the best sounds I have ever loaded into any
sampler. Not to mention that now I have a Steinway on my laptop..and it's a
lot lighter too! BitHeadz has a big score with this one."

                                       *  *  *

News from the web site:

We have just affiliated with Outpost.com. Outpost.com carries a massive
amount of the kind of Mac and PC peripherals that we don't carry. And,
they have great prices too. You can search Outpost.com directly from the
Doctor Audio site for things like scanners, printers, CD burners and a
host of useful stuff.

                                       *  *  *

Who would be interested in a midi-audio discussion mailing list? There
is a PC DAW list, A DAW Mac list, and of course the manufacturers have
their user lists...Cubase, Logic Audio, MOTU, Opcode, etc. However,
there doesn't seem to be a general cross platform list dealing
exclusively with recording MIDI and audio... a place where folks on
different programs and even different platforms can discuss the theory
and techniques of sequencing Midi and recording audio. Also, folks could
discuss the current state of Midi/ audio software....The Good, the
Bad and the Ugly... so to speak.

And of course, this would be a place where those looking for other
options can ask questions and get opinions, and those already proficient
on their systems can share their knowledge. As more and more software is
going cross-platform, and all of these programs seem to be is reading
everyone else's plug-ins, it seems like this may be a good participation
list to start. Anyone interested, please email us at
midi-audio@doctoraudio.com with your comments or observations. If
there is enough interest, we'll start a list.

                                       *  *  *

'News from Doctor Audio' is presented by Doc Dosco, Professional Audio
Consultant in North Hollywood, California. Doc has handled accounts for
luminaries such as Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Stevie Wonder and The
Rolling Stones, along with many of the world's most renowned film
composers, engineers and record producers.

Doctor Audio wishes to thank you for your continuing support, and we would
like to remind you that most popular MIDI/audio products are available from
our Website.