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PRESS RELEASE

E-mu Systems Ships Darwin Software V 2.01 Darwin Hard Disk Recorder Continues to Evolve May 2, 1997E-mu Systems, Inc. announced today that Version 2.01 software for the Darwin(TM) hard-disk digital audio recorder is now shipping. Darwin 2.01 software provides full support for the new DSP option card, and it adds a wealth of new software features that provide more power, flexibility, and control to Darwin. The release coincides with E-mu's announcement that Darwin will have a new distribution channel and a new, lower price worldwide. DSP card features state-of-the-art algorithms The new DSP option card (model number 4014) has a 32-bit floating-point DSP (digital signal processor), which provides the highest signal quality and processing power possible while maintaining the simple elegance of the Darwin user interface. DSP option-card software features include time compression/expansion, pitch transposition with "de-munchkinization," and gain/fade level control. "We have done extensive comparison with all other DSP technologies on the market, and we've found that Darwin's DSP technology surpasses them all," notes Mike McRoberts, E-mu's product manager for Darwin. Poly-Gender(TM) formant-corrected pitch transposition Breakthrough time and frequency domain algorithms (patent pending) make pitch transposition with the DSP card nothing short of spectacular. Improvements in the user interface take DSP to the next level of evolution, with a real-time audition function that makes pitch correction a snap. And the sonic quality of Darwin's formant-corrected or variable Poly-Gender_ pitch-shifting technology is unprecedented, offering the ability to pitch-transpose and formant-correct polyphonic sounds--an industry first. Time compression/expansion gives superb audio quality Time compression or expansion functions can be expressed as a percentage change in duration of the selected audio, as a direct time change in seconds and milliseconds, as duration change in SMPTE frames, or as a new tempo value. Additionally, the IN and OUT points of the DSP screens can be edited directly, allowing for quick tweaking of drum loops in conjunction with the time compression/expansion functions. Change gain and perform fades with 32-bit floating-point audio quality The gain-change module allows audio to be selectively faded up or down or changed in volume, with all changes undoable. As with all other DSP features, selecting a region in which the user wants to make a change in gain or perform a fade is a simple matter of placing IN and OUT points anywhere on a single track or across multiple tracks. There are several different fading curves that can be selected by the user, and both the IN and OUT points can have their levels adjusted with crossfades to and from the selected region. "The gain-change and fade modules, combined with the 32-bit floating-point processing allow for superb level control over the audio on disk, with audio quality that rivals the very best pro audio consoles on the market," says McRoberts. Advertisement Version 2.0 software features take the next evolutionary step Version 2.0 software has many new features, including several that are based on suggestions made by current Darwin users. New features include the ability to control Darwin's internal digital mixer over MIDI, which allows automation of level and pan using any MIDI sequencer. Other new features include: the ability to store locate points on the fly, support for the two front-panel assignable keys, and the ability to back up a hard drive to low-cost SCSI QIC (quarter-inch cartridge) drives, which can be mounted inside Darwin. "By incorporating what our customers want to see in Darwin with the incredible power of the DSP option, version 2.01 represents a huge step forward in the evolution of Darwin and reaffirms E-mu's commitment to the digital audio market," says E-mu Product Planning Manager Bryan Lanser. "We are very excited to offer 2.01 both to our installed base and to our new Darwin customers," he adds. Version 2.01 software will be standard on all new Darwins as well as in option kits. E-mu Systems. Inc. Founded in 1972, is a leading developer of innovative digital audio products based on digital sampling technology for the music and multimedia markets. E-mu® audio products are used by professional musicians, sound designers, and audio engineers worldwide. The company is based in Scotts Valley, California, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Creative Technology, Ltd. For more information, visit their web site at www.emu.com.

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