Archives for 2002

Sony/Tree Studios Relies On Studio Network Solutions’ A/V San Pro Storage System

Sony/Tree Studios in Nashville has significantly streamlined its ability to handle digital audio data with the installation of an A/V SAN PRO system from Studio Network Solutions. According to studio manager Pat McMakin, an engineer, producer and mixer who has worked with artists such as ‘N SYNC, Brooks & Dunn and Olivia Newton-John, the A/V SAN PRO has eliminated “sneaker-net” through the ultra-high-speed Fibre Channel networking of three Pro Tools systems, one of which is located in a separate building. The studio is currently working on linking the A/V SAN PRO to yet another facility several blocks away, via fiber-optic cable.

“Prior to the installation of the A/V SAN PRO, my assistant engineer spent most of his time moving and managing hard drives throughout the three-room facility,” explains McMakin. “Now that we can access any drive in any room, my assistant engineer can go back to being an assistant engineer. Plus, with SCSI’s maximum cable length of about three feet, we never would have been able to link studios that were blocks apart. But now, with the Fibre Channel’s ability to reach some seven miles, that idea can become a reality.”

McMakin first learned of the A/V SAN PRO through the strong endorsement of his local Pro Tools dealer, Frank Conway at Audio One. “That caused me to look further into the system and ultimately purchase one,” says McMakin, who had been considering networking options for a couple of years. “The A/V SAN PRO has really made a huge difference for our entire workflow, combining speed and centralized storage with ultra-reliability and multi-user access. The A/V SAN PRO is a real problem-solver that has allowed us to unify our entire production workflow.”

Previously, McMakin continues, “it took an incredible amount of time to back up the considerable volume of work produced at the studio. Now, with the A/V SAN PRO, everything is backed up in one place automatically. We don’t have to haul drives in from other rooms and have my assistant sitting there backing up each individual drive. It’s nice to have the peace of mind that the whole network is backed up every night.”

Conway based his A/V SAN PRO recommendation to McMakin on his experience with other SAN’s. “I think the biggest reason I like the A/V SAN PRO is because it was designed by audio people, for audio people,” says Conway. “Many other SAN’s are built with off-the-shelf components. SNS has customized cards and software built specifically for audio and video. Audio files are transferred in small bits very quickly, whereas video files are transferred in bigger slower chunks. The A/V SAN PRO does that and is so powerful; it allows me to have some 128 tracks of 48/24 audio with heavy edit density on a single drive. With other storage solutions that is not remotely an option.”

The A/V SAN PRO becomes the backbone of any studio facility by employing fiber channel technology connecting multiple systems like Avid, Pro Tools, Sonic Solutions and Final Cut Pro into one storage/access location. Studio Network Solutions systems are designed to remain stable under the most extreme conditions. The A/V SAN PRO has earned respect among industry leaders as being nothing less than bulletproof and is scalable from a single-seat to 20 seats or more as requirements increase.

Studio Network Solutions Web Site

Ableton Announces LIVE Delta

A Smaller, Entry Level Version of LIVE to be bundled with M-Audio’s Delta Audio cards

Ableton, an innovative Berlin-based music software company, today announced LIVE Delta, a special version of their award-winning sequencing instrument for Mac OS 9, Mac OS X, and Windows. LIVE Delta is a special entry-level version of the popular LIVE program that is being bundled with M-Audio’s Delta Audio cards. Users can upgrade LIVE Delta to the full version of LIVE 2 if they wish to take advantage of LIVE’s more advanced features such as Rewire support and MIDI sync.

LIVE Delta is bundled with all M-Audio Delta audio cards as part of the company’s Maximum Audio Tools bundle. The Delta line includes the products like the popular Delta Audiophile 2496 and the Delta 1010. M-Audio’s Delta cards are world-renowned for features such as high fidelity, quality construction, low latency, 36-bit internal mixers and unequalled driver support.

“We are very happy to enter into such an exciting deal with M-Audio’, says Gerhard Behles, CEO of Ableton. ‘We have been working with M-Audio as our distributor for the USA and UK market for a year now and have got to know them as a company that has an amazing customer focus. Everything M-Audio does is aimed at offering excellent products for the best prices. The fact that every Delta user will now be able to play with LIVE Delta creates a huge added value, not only for the Delta Products, but also for Ableton as it expands the amount of people getting in contact with LIVE.”

“We recognize Ableton LIVE as a complete paradigm shift in the way music is being made,” says Adam Castillo, M-Audio’s Marketing Director. “The ability to treat audio elastically to create entire productions in real time without ever hitting the Stop button is nothing short of incredible. This bundle allows musicians to explore the amazing creative freedom that LIVE provides in the comfort of their own home or studio.”

About Ableton

Ableton’s function is to support creative people with modern software technology. Since the company started in 1999, more than twenty developers and business professionals have joined Ableton–many of them active musicians or DJs. Since the launch of LIVE in October 2001, the company has received outstanding press and customer feedback.

About M-Audio

M-Audio (formerly Midiman) is a leading provider of digital audio and MIDI solutions for today’s electronic musicians and audio professionals. Founded in 1988, M-Audio now has independent offices in the US, Canada, UK, Germany, France and Japan. M-Audio’s ability to parlay advanced technology into affordable products has led the company to win some of the international audio community’s highest praise and awards-including being named the industry’s fastest growing company for the past two years running by Music Trades magazine.

New Premium 5.1 Multimedia Speaker System from Logitech Unlocks the Power of Dolby® Digital and DTS® Sound

Logitech Z-680 First THX Certified Speaker System to Simultaneously Connect to and Play from PCs, Video Game Consoles, DVD and Portable Audio Players

Logitech has announced the flagship 5.1 speaker system in its award winning Z-Series family, the Logitech Z-680. The Z-680 comes equipped with Dolby® Digital and DTS® hardware decoding for true 5.1 digital sound. These speakers make it possible to bring THX-certified home theater surround sound to multiple platforms, by enabling simultaneous use with PCs, video game consoles, DVD players and portable audio players. The Z-680 offers tremendous value, and is currently available in retail outlets, and online at Logitech’s Web site, for a retail price of $399.95.

The Z-680 is a THX-certified, 5.1-surround sound system with 450 watts of RMS power. Its high-end features include:

  • Eight-inch, long throw subwoofer driver with a flared bass port for powerful, distortion-free bass
  • Dolby® Pro Logic II for creating realistic 5.1 surround sound from stereo music, movies and games
  • Digital optical and coaxial inputs, as well as six channel analog inputs, for simple connection to nearly any audio device
  • Digital SoundTouchTM Control Center with a wireless remote, for easy adjustment of the speaker controls from anywhere in the room

“Last year, with the introduction of the Z-Series speakers, Logitech established itself as a top player in the multimedia speaker market,” said Bob Wick, senior vice president and general manager of Logitech’s Audio Division. “This year we plan to raise the bar for high-end multimedia speakers, with the introduction of the Z-680. This 5.1 system will surpass the competition by offering a single system that is THX-certified, includes Dolby Digital and DTS hardware decoding, and simultaneously connects to four different audio sources. The extraordinary power this system brings to both the desktop and the living room will revolutionize the multimedia speaker market.”

THX certification involves rigorous testing of sound performance, user interface and construction. With the launch of its second THX-certified speaker, Logitech is underscoring its commitment to providing superior clarity and power in a multimedia sound system. “We are extremely pleased with Logitech’s entry into the 5.1 speaker market with the Z-680 speaker system,” said Mark Paddack, director of sales for THX. “All speakers that receive THX certification must meet stringent performance parameters, including: bandwidth, frequency balance, peak sound pressure levels and the ability to play up to their rated output level. The Z-680 exceeded all requirements, and has received the THX seal of approval.”

Logitech plans to continue its successful Z-Series speaker line, by offering a wide variety of products to meet varying consumer needs and budgets. The Z-680 is the company’s current flagship 5.1 speaker system. Earlier, this fall, Logitech introduced another 5.1 speaker system, the Logitech Z-640. The Z-640 provides over 50 watts of RMS surround sound power, and includes adapters for instant connectivity to game consoles, TVs, DVD and CD players. These speakers let users experience Dolby Digital 5.1 sound in conjunction with a PC sound card or software DVD player with a built in Dolby Digital decoder. Using the adapter that is provided with the system, the Z-640’s provide immersive 5.1 surround sound with gaming consoles, TVs, DVD and CD players. The Z-640 uses Logitech’s patented dual-chambered Pressure Driver subwoofer, which enables lower and louder bass sound than conventional subwoofers for rich deep bass and greater tonal purity. This speaker system is currently available online and in retail outlets for a list price of $99.95.

Logitech’s Z-Series speakers are known for industrial design quality, and the ability to bring a home theater feeling to the desktop. The Z-680 and Z-640 speaker system satellites feature innovative stands that rotate for either desk or wall mounting. The Z-680 includes removable grill covers that can be detached to create the more aggressive, “audio-tech” look of the aluminum phase plug drivers. Both speaker systems utilize home stereo style connectors and standard gauge speaker wire.

About Logitech

Founded in 1981, Logitech designs, manufactures and markets personal interface products that enable people to effectively work, play, and communicate in the digital world. The Company’s product family includes Internet video cameras, mice and trackballs, keyboards, headsets and speakers, interactive gaming devices and 3D controllers.

With operational headquarters through its U.S. subsidiary in Fremont, California, and regional headquarters through local subsidiaries in Switzerland, Taiwan and Hong Kong, Logitech International is a Swiss public company traded in Switzerland on the Swiss Stock Exchange under the symbols LOGN and LOGZ, and in the U.S. on the Nasdaq National Market System (LOGI). The company has manufacturing facilities in Asia and offices in major cities in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.

SONICblue’s Rio Expands Product Offering With the Rio HT2030 Home Theater System

SONICblue™ Incorporated, makers of the number one best-selling brand of portable MP3 players*, today unveiled the first Rio® home theater in a box, the Rio HT2030. Expanding Rio’s presence in the home, the Rio HT2030 leverages technology from SONICblue’s Go-Video® product line in combination with Rio’s understanding of the digital audio market to create a convenient, easy-to-use, all-in-one audio video system.

The Rio HT2030’s all-in-one design gives consumers a compact, affordable unit that is easy to set up and use. The unit combines a VCR, a progressive scan DVD/CD player, an AM/FM stereo digital tuner with 30 presets, Cable Ready Television Tuner, and a 350 watt 5.1 channel amplifier into one efficient device. The unit delivers this power smoothly to 5 included two-way satellite speakers and a passive subwoofer, and controls all of this with one simple remote control.

“With millions of consumers downloading and burning MP3 CDs and switching from VHS to DVD, it makes sense to provide a home theater that can handle all of these formats in one simple to install, simple to use unit,” said Ed Brachocki, vice president of product marketing audio and video products, SONICblue. “Consumers simply connect one small box to the TV and they have an instant home theater with superior functionality.”

The Rio HT2030’s incredible audio experience is enhanced by the inclusion of numerous audio decoders including Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby ProLogic and Dolby ProLogic II enabling full surround sound for maximum effect. Plus, the Rio HT2030 progressive scan output delivers sharp video quality to the user’s digital television. The system also offers multiple inputs and outputs making it possible to connect to just about any audio or video device. The unit provides progressive component outputs, audio/video composite, and S-video outputs.

Pricing and Availability

The MSRP for SONICblue’s Rio HT2030 is $499.99 with a $40 mail in rebate during selected advertising weeks and the system is expected to be available at online consumer outlets shortly.

For more information on the Rio HT2030 please visit www.sonicblue.com.

* Based on NPDTechworld (CHN917 & CHN915P) for unit volumes sold at US retail of MP3 enabled portable audio players (aggregate of flash, hard disk driver and CD units) for Rio and psa-play branded products in calendar years ended 2000 & 2001.

About SONICblue Incorporated

SONICblue is a leader in the converging Internet, digital media, entertainment and consumer electronics markets. Working with partners that include some of the biggest brands in consumer electronics, SONICblue creates and markets products that let consumers enjoy all the benefits of a digital home and connected lifestyle. SONICblue holds a focused technology portfolio that includes Rio(R) digital audio players; ReplayTV(R) personal television technology and software solutions; and Go-Video(R) Dual-Deck(TM) VCRs and integrated DVD+VCRs.

New Premium 5.1 Multimedia Speaker System from Logitech Unlocks the Power of Dolby® Digital and DTS® Sound

Logitech Z-680 First THX Certified Speaker System to Simultaneously Connect to and Play from PCs, Video Game Consoles, DVD and Portable Audio Players

Logitech has announced the flagship 5.1 speaker system in its award winning Z-Series family, the Logitech Z-680. The Z-680 comes equipped with Dolby® Digital and DTS® hardware decoding for true 5.1 digital sound. These speakers make it possible to bring THX-certified home theater surround sound to multiple platforms, by enabling simultaneous use with PCs, video game consoles, DVD players and portable audio players. The Z-680 offers tremendous value, and is currently available in retail outlets, and online at Logitech’s Web site, for a retail price of $399.95.

The Z-680 is a THX-certified, 5.1-surround sound system with 450 watts of RMS power. Its high-end features include:

  • Eight-inch, long throw subwoofer driver with a flared bass port for powerful, distortion-free bass
  • Dolby® Pro Logic II for creating realistic 5.1 surround sound from stereo music, movies and games
  • Digital optical and coaxial inputs, as well as six channel analog inputs, for simple connection to nearly any audio device
  • Digital SoundTouchTM Control Center with a wireless remote, for easy adjustment of the speaker controls from anywhere in the room

“Last year, with the introduction of the Z-Series speakers, Logitech established itself as a top player in the multimedia speaker market,” said Bob Wick, senior vice president and general manager of Logitech’s Audio Division. “This year we plan to raise the bar for high-end multimedia speakers, with the introduction of the Z-680. This 5.1 system will surpass the competition by offering a single system that is THX-certified, includes Dolby Digital and DTS hardware decoding, and simultaneously connects to four different audio sources. The extraordinary power this system brings to both the desktop and the living room will revolutionize the multimedia speaker market.”

THX certification involves rigorous testing of sound performance, user interface and construction. With the launch of its second THX-certified speaker, Logitech is underscoring its commitment to providing superior clarity and power in a multimedia sound system. “We are extremely pleased with Logitech’s entry into the 5.1 speaker market with the Z-680 speaker system,” said Mark Paddack, director of sales for THX. “All speakers that receive THX certification must meet stringent performance parameters, including: bandwidth, frequency balance, peak sound pressure levels and the ability to play up to their rated output level. The Z-680 exceeded all requirements, and has received the THX seal of approval.”

Logitech plans to continue its successful Z-Series speaker line, by offering a wide variety of products to meet varying consumer needs and budgets. The Z-680 is the company’s current flagship 5.1 speaker system. Earlier, this fall, Logitech introduced another 5.1 speaker system, the Logitech Z-640. The Z-640 provides over 50 watts of RMS surround sound power, and includes adapters for instant connectivity to game consoles, TVs, DVD and CD players. These speakers let users experience Dolby Digital 5.1 sound in conjunction with a PC sound card or software DVD player with a built in Dolby Digital decoder. Using the adapter that is provided with the system, the Z-640’s provide immersive 5.1 surround sound with gaming consoles, TVs, DVD and CD players. The Z-640 uses Logitech’s patented dual-chambered Pressure Driver subwoofer, which enables lower and louder bass sound than conventional subwoofers for rich deep bass and greater tonal purity. This speaker system is currently available online and in retail outlets for a list price of $99.95.

Logitech’s Z-Series speakers are known for industrial design quality, and the ability to bring a home theater feeling to the desktop. The Z-680 and Z-640 speaker system satellites feature innovative stands that rotate for either desk or wall mounting. The Z-680 includes removable grill covers that can be detached to create the more aggressive, “audio-tech” look of the aluminum phase plug drivers. Both speaker systems utilize home stereo style connectors and standard gauge speaker wire.

About Logitech

Founded in 1981, Logitech designs, manufactures and markets personal interface products that enable people to effectively work, play, and communicate in the digital world. The Company’s product family includes Internet video cameras, mice and trackballs, keyboards, headsets and speakers, interactive gaming devices and 3D controllers.

With operational headquarters through its U.S. subsidiary in Fremont, California, and regional headquarters through local subsidiaries in Switzerland, Taiwan and Hong Kong, Logitech International is a Swiss public company traded in Switzerland on the Swiss Stock Exchange under the symbols LOGN and LOGZ, and in the U.S. on the Nasdaq National Market System (LOGI). The company has manufacturing facilities in Asia and offices in major cities in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.