Doctor Audio News for September 1998. Greetings! Every month we pick what we think is the hottest thing in Digital Audio and feature it. Last month we featured Creamware's Pulsar. This month we are really excited about the new PC based Aark 20/20 from Aardvark Systems. * 20 Bit A/D. 20 Bit D/A. * 24 Bit Digital * 10 Inputs. 10 Outputs. * Eight 1/4" Analog 1/O * S/PDIF Digital I/O * Simultaneous Rec/Play * Easy Signal Routing * Word Clock I/O * Video Input Sync * 24 Bit DSP 80 MIPS * PCI Bus Architecture * Master/Slave Capability * AES/EBU Options * Windows 95 And how about these for specs... Converters: 20 bit A/D D/A Shielded Outboard Converters Frequency Response: 7Hz-22KHz, +/- .5 dB THD+N: .002%, 20Hz-22KHz, A-weighted Dynamic Range: 100 dB, A-weighted Analog Inputs: Eight 1/4" Unbalanced, -10 dBv Analog Outputs: Eight 1/4" Unbalanced, -10 dBv Digital I/O: 24 Bit Signal Path, Stereo S/PDIF on RCA connectors Sync I/O: Word Clock Input, Word Clock Output, Video Black Burst Modes: Full Duplex Simultaneous Record/Play Expansion: Multiple Aark 20/20 systems can be added for more I/O Additional features include level and pan control on the inputs, ultra accurate digital input meters, multicard support so you can get 16 full-duplex analog I/O and seamless integration with Steinberg Cubase VST, Sonic Foundry's Sound Forge, SEK'D's Samplitude, Cool Edit Pro, SAW plus and Cakewalk 7.0. And Best of all, the Aark 20/20 is now only $799 LIST! (Doctor Audio has the 20/20 for $599) The system includes the outboard converter box, PCI host card, interconnect cable, multichannel Samplitude Basic from SEK'D and a powerful Control Panel that has individual peak meters, tone generation, digital router, Monitor bus mixer and tons of other really cool features that make the Aark 20/20 one of the most professional I/O any computer can have. * * * Now for you Mac people, Digidesign's Project II Provides an Affordable, Professional-Quality 24-Bit Audio I/O Solution for Popular Sequencing Packages. August 4, 1998 - Digidesign announces Project II, a standalone, 24-bit digital audio card designed for use with the industry's most popular sequencing/digital recording software packages for Apple Power Macintosh and Microsoft Windows NT systems. The card is an affordable, economical solution for users who want to enjoy the outstanding, professional sound quality of Digidesign's Pro Tools|24 system without making a substantial investment in hardware. A Digidesign audio interface is required for use with the card. Compatible audio interfaces include Digidesign's 882|20 I/O, 888|24 I/O, and ADAT Bridge, allowing users to select the input/output device that best meets their needs, applications and budgets. Two audio interfaces can be connected to Project II to support up to 16 channels of professional quality I/O. The card also permits the recording and playback of up to 32 tracks of digital audio (depending on the capabilities of the software used with the card). Project II can be upgraded to Pro Tools|24, allowing users to expand their systems as their needs grow and enjoy the increased flexibility and benefits of features such as TDM's real-time DSP power on demand. Project II will be shipping in Fall, 1998. * * * OPCODE RELEASES FUSION VST PLUG-IN BUNDLE FOR MAC AND PC -FILTER and VINYL Plus Six Other Effects in a Value Priced Package- PALO ALTO, CA-Opcode Systems announces the release of the Fusion VST Plug-in Bundle. This high-quality assortment of real-time effects is perfect for use with Opcode's recently released Vision DSP audio and MIDI sequencing package as well as other applications which support Steinberg's VST plug-in format. Included in the bundle are VST, Premiere and DirectX-compatible versions of Opcode's highly-acclaimed Filter and Vinyl plug-ins, as well as six new VST-only effects. These consist of Chorus, Flanger, Echo, Ring Modulator, REZN8, and Panner. The overall package provides users with a full-featured audio processing toolkit for only $298 MSRP. Opcode is manufacturing only 2,000 units of this value-priced bundle to celebrate the release of the company's Vision DSP recording software. Truly a cross-platform product, each copy of the fusion VST Bundle contains all plug-ins in versions for both Power Macintosh as well as Windows 95/98/NT. "Our goal with the Fusion:EFFECTS line is to deliver professional-level creative tools and processing power at a competitive price," notes Chris Halaby, CEO of Opcode Systems. "While this bundle is the perfect match for Vision DSP, it also fills the needs of many users who are looking for a great sounding, flexible collection of VST-compatible effects." As only 2000 of these were produced, we stocked up on them. Doctor Audio has them for $199. * * * MIDIMAN is Now Introducing its SAM: DSP based ADAT to S/PDIF and S/PDIF to Adat* Converter Box with Built-In Digital Mixer Arcadia, CA. Midiman recently released its revolutionary new SAMĒ S/PDIF-to-Adat* and Adat-to-S/PDIF converter and digital mixer. SAM provides the long-needed bridge between the worlds of Adat and S/PDIF digital audio at an affordable price. SAM flawlessly converts Adat to S/PDIF and S/PDIF to Adat. And SAM does this with an exciting twist: during Adat to S/PDIF transfers each of the Adat's eight channels can be mixed down to stereo (with independent pan and gain controls) using the onboard digital micromixer. SAM features include: Adat to S/PDIF Conversion: * Supports five Adat to S/PDIF conversion modes reserved for no loss one-to-one transfers: Adat channels 1/2 to S/PDIF Left/Right, Adat channels 3/ 4 to S/PDIF Left/Right, Adat channels 5/ 6 to S/PDIF Left/Right, Adat channels 7/ 8 to S/PDIF Left/Right, and special Adat to Mixer to S/PDIF Left/Right mode. * In special Adat to Mix to S/PDIF mode, 8 individual gain and pan pots control overall mix of Adat tracks and convert them to a stereo S/PDIF signal. In Mix Mode 128 step resolution for each gain and pan pot. * * * For all of you folks out there contemplating a digital audio card with an ADAT interface, you might find this interesting. PRODIF GOLD tested by the German magazine "Keys", Issue 8/98 The tester writes: ...is the PRODIF GOLD probably one of the most versatile digital audio cards for PCs...at eight channel Adat processing 5-10% less CPU load compared to other Adat cards were measured...in daily use no problems at all showed up regarding the synchronization, when used in combination with two Adat's, Alesis BRC, two PRODIF GOLD and a Yamaha O2R equipped with four Adat interfaces...Immediately after applying an Adat signal to the input the settings dialog showed Adat PLL locked , and locked it stayed during our two week test session...when using a second card...16 in/out channels were available, that could be chosen separately in Logic's Audio Mixer. Samplitude 2496 also did not show any problems in daily use...Conclusion: Both PRODIF GOLDs presented themselves as real Dream Team when digitally interfacing a PC to Adat recorders, digital mixing desk and PC - error free, fast and flexible. * * * New from Arboretum: Plug-in Pack: Complete Cross-Platform Signal Processing Solution The new Hyperprism Plug-in Pack is the only total solution for adding signal processing power to your sound editing software. It doesn't matter what computer you use, what software you choose, Hyperprism Plug-in Pack works with practically everything. The Hyperprism Plug-in Pack contains two dozen different signal processing modules, featuring our new 26-band Vocoder, which can be used in any Windows 95 sound editing program that supports the Direct X (Active Movie) plug-in format, or with any Power Mac audio software that supports the VST, Premiere or AudioSuite plug-in formats. Use Hyperprism effects within any or all of these popular programs: Cubase VST * Sound Forge * Cakewalk * WaveLab * Cool Edit Pro * Vision/Studio Vision * Peak * Deck * TurboMorph * Digital Performer * Logic Audio * Metro 4 * Pro Tools 4.0 * Adobe Premiere There's no special hardware requirements, no difficult installation, and no baffling interfaces. Just loads of great-sounding, easy-to-use digital signal processing algorithms. You get the widest choice of effects, for all four plug-in formats, both computer platforms, for one low price with Hyperprism Plug-in Pack. * * * Doctor Audio also would like to announce that we have several 48/24 dual input Behringer MX 9000 Eurodesks (with built in meter bridge) in stock. These boards are brand new and have been very difficult to get. '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.