Ensoniq Unveils PARIS Digital Audio Recording System
January 16, 1997
At the upcoming Winter National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM)
Convention, to be held at the Anaheim Convention Center, January 16 through 20, 1997, ENSONIQ
Corporation will introduce PARIS, a revolutionary new 128 track, 24-bit professional disk-based
digital audio recording system.
PARIS-Professional Audio Recording Integrated System-is a versatile, expandable recording,
editing, mixing, and processing environment. The core system consists of the ENSONIQ EDS-1000
PCI card and a cross-platform CD-ROM loaded with software that can be run under either MacOS
or Windows 95/NT operating systems. The PARIS software provides an intuitive and highly
responsive graphic interface for the system's integral automated 128-track digital mixer, complete
with dynamics processing, four-band parametric EQ, aux sends and realtime effects, including
highly realistic reverb. A plug-in architecture supports third-party development of additional effects
and software features. PARIS also supports the use of multiple cards to further extend real-time
processing power and I/O capability.
The EDS-1000 PCI-compatible card is equipped with connectors for an Expandable Input/Output
System and a dedicated Hardware Control Surface. Input/output options include a basic
two-channel audio external interface, as well as an expandable modular mainframe. The
mainframe's basic configuration provides an essential complement of analog and digital I/O, as well
as video and word-clock synchronization. The mainframe also provides expansion slots for a family
of modules designed to allow the user to fully customize the system configuration. Add-on modules
will include Analog I/O (XLR and TRS jacks), Digital I/O (S/PDIF and AES/EBU), ADAT optical,
Tascam TDIF, and SMPTE Timecode units.
According to ENSONIQ Project Leader John Senior, "The EDS Hardware Control Surface has been
specifically designed to function with the PARIS application software. It dramatically improves user
ergonomics by providing immediate physical access to all of the most important control features."
Features include 16 Channel Faders; a Master Stereo Fader; rotary controls for EQ, aux sends,
pan and control room monitor level; a high resolution jog/shuttle wheel; transport controls with
autolocate; numeric keypad; mute plus solo buttons.
This unprecedented package combines ENSONIQ's award winning 24-bit DSP technology,
innovative card design, and advanced manufacturing techniques to create a system that offers
incredible 24-bit high quality sound.
"This is the first time that such a powerful system could have been developed," emphasizes
ENSONIQ president Albert Charpentier, "Our new ESP-2 chip, which was designed specifically to
handle digital audio, gives PARIS a distinctive advantage over any competitor's design. The
improved performance of the PCI bus, in addition to offering cross-platform advantages, also makes
it possible to implement PARIS' powerful audio architecture. ENSONIQ's experience in digital audio
and multi-media have been combined to bring the next level of performance to our customers."
PARIS is the result of a long-standing joint development program between ENSONIQ and Intelligent
Devices, a firm responsible for a number of highly successful Mac-based DSP and processing
software applications. Intelligent Devices has spent the past year writing intuitive,
application-specific software for PARIS, including the user-configurable Digital Mixer and
Object-Oriented Editor windows.
"Intelligent Devices is excited to be providing the operational software and system interface for
PARIS," confides ID president and software designer Stephen St. Croix. "As a leading developer of
powerful audio software for PowerPC and Windows environments, we have an excellent
understanding of the functionality and user interface features that today's professionals need in this
type of product. We've been designing workstation systems for years, and have been carefully
listening to our user's real-world requirements for a truly modern Virtual Studio."
"PARIS is the integrated disk-based multi-track recording, editing, mixing and MIDI system we
have always wanted to do! It even has after-market DSP such as compression and true reverb built
in!" Intelligent Devices is currently shipping the award winning AD-1 Pro Audio Analyzer, the new IQ
Intelligent Equalizer, and the exotic SES Speech Extraction System, designed for forensic voice
applications.
ENSONIQ has established a strong presence on the World Wide Web at www.emu.com to
serve as an interactive focus for PARIS product support, and will be providing telephone Customer
Service as well as e-mail services for users. "Generous and competent support is essential for
today's computer users," stresses ENSONIQ vice president Dan Garrett. "In the past, too many
workstation users have been disappointed with poor or ineffective support. We are committing the
resources and staff to ensure that everyone who needs after-sales support will receive it quickly and
efficiently."
PARIS provides speed, power and expandability at prices that are revolutionary. The basic
system's low entry cost, together with transparent cross-platform functionality and open-ended
expansion options, are destined to make PARIS a compelling solution for anyone working with
audio, including musicians, project studios, multimedia producers, broadcast and post-production
facilities. For more information, visit their web site at www.emu.com. |
