Yamaha Announces Widespread Distribution for the DSP FactoryMajor Software Manufacturers to Release Supporting Software July 10, 1998
Yamaha Corporation of America, Pro Audio Group, announces the release of their computer-based digital audio recording solution - the DSP Factory. Initially announced at this year's Winter NAMM, this recording hardware and software has created a massive amount of interest and anticipation in the recording marketplace. The DS2416 card is expected to ship in July 1998, simultaneously with the release of software by several major manufacturers to support it.
"People are very excited about the DSP Factory, the features it provides and its entry-level price point," notes Wayne Hrabak, marketing manager, Yamaha Corporation of America, Pro Audio Group. "The fact that music production can be accomplished using a personal computer utilizing the same technology found in the 02R digital console is an extraordinary feat." The suggested retail price for the DS2416 is $999.
The following software manufacturers have scheduled the release of DSP Factory supporting applications on the Windows OS platform to coincide with the delivery of the DS2416 card: Steinberg, The Cakewalk Company, Minnetonka Software, Sek'd, Can Am, Musicator, C-Mexx, IQS, Sonic Foundry and Emagic. Software for the Macintosh platform is expected this Fall.*
When installed inside a personal computer, the DS2416 digital mixing card offers the mixing power of the successful Yamaha 02R digital mixer plus 16 tracks of hard disk recording with up to 32-bit resolution. Two DS2416 cards can be linked to create a larger system. Installed in a personal computer, the DSP Factory is the first comprehensive digital mixing and recording system available, providing full-time 24-channel digital mixing and two of Yamaha's top-quality digital effects processors, without having to rely on the computer's internal processing power. Additionally, the DS2416 card includes an audio-streaming engine which provides 8 tracks of simultaneous recording to, and 16 tracks playback from, the computer's disk drive.
The Yamaha DSP Factory system is the most convenient and affordable way for musicians and audio production customers to add top-performance non-linear recording to their systems. Because of its inherent creative advantages, such as editing capabilities and instant access to audio data, the audio production community is strongly moving toward non-linear recording on the personal computer. Using its DSP advantage, Yamaha is able to provide 16 tracks of digital recording with up to 32-bit resolution processed through a full-function 8-bus digital mixer inside the PC. This powerful combination will strongly appeal to the musician already using a PC for sequencing of MIDI instruments as well as those customers looking to augment or replace their tape-based recording systems.
The DS2416 card provides many of the powerful features found in the Yamaha 02R including: a 24 channel, 32-bit digital mixer with 10 bus outputs and 6 aux sends; 104 bands of parametric EQ; 26 dynamics processors; 2 effect processors equal in quality to Yamaha's REV500; channel delay on 20 channels; comprehensive metering; digital cross- patching for channel inputs and outputs; 2-channel 20-bit AD/DA converter; stereo digital input and output with 20/24-bit resolution; and multi-channel analog and digital I/O with optional interface hardware.
All of the above functions are available simultaneously. The internal processing on the card saves the customer the expense of purchasing outboard gear, while providing the sonic advantages of keeping signals in the digital domain for all mix functions. Additionally, under the control of computer software, the mixer can be fully automated, providing the user all the creative advantages of a stand-alone Yamaha digital mixer.
The recorder section of the DS2416 card provides: 16-track playback from hard disk; 8-track simultaneous recording through the mixer; and sample accurate synchronization between tracks. The recorder is "hot-wired" to the internal mixer in the digital domain and can be synchronized to outside sources via the software.
Computer audio recording is a rapidly expanding area with a variety of products appearing on the market. However, most systems utilize the computer's CPU to perform mixing, EQ, and effects features. This greatly taxes the CPU and even though the competitive manufacturer may state their card has many capabilities, it may not be able to perform them all at the same time. The DS2416 has five Yamaha proprietary DSP chips right on the card, which are dedicated to performing all the above mixing functions simultaneously, making it far more powerful than other systems.
The DS2416 digital mixing card installs in the PCI card slot of a standard personal computer and is operated from the computer CRT, keyboard and mouse using existing computer software. The card has stereo analog and coaxial 20/24-bit digital inputs and outputs allowing the customer to record and mix to and from a wide range of analog and digital two-channel audio devices.
Additionally, multi-channel audio connections in the DSP Factory are provided via
a number of options. The AX44 Audio Expansion Unit provides 4 analog inputs, two of
which can accommodate microphones, and four outputs, plus a stereo headphone jack, and installs right into the drive bay of a personal computer tower. Two AX44 units can be connected to one DS2416 card providing 8 additional analog inputs and outputs. Yamaha is also planning digital interface solutions which will allow connection of multi-channel digital equipment such as outboard digital multi-track recorders and signal processors. The first planned is the optional AX16-AT Audio Expansion Card which will provide 16 digital inputs and outputs in ADAT(TM) format. This will enable easy transfer of digital multi-track audio to and from the DSP Factory recorder. Both the AX44 and AX16-AT will be available at $299.00 each MSRP. The Yamaha DS2416, AX44, and AX16-AT are just the first in a series of components to be introduced in the Yamaha DSP Factory system.
*Available DS2416 functions may vary depending on the software used by the customer.
ADAT is a trademark of Alesis Corporation.
Windows 95 is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
For more information on the Yamaha DSP Factory, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Professional Audio Group, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; or visit the web sites http://www.yamaha.com/, or
http://www.yamaha.co.jp/product/proaudio/homeenglish/index.html.
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