CreamWare Discloses Luna II Audio I/O Card
January 23, 2001Featuring a complete set of ultra-low latency drivers, combined with mastering
quality analog and digital I/Os, Luna II was specifically designed as a professional
audio I/O card for every native software solution.
In addition to this, boasting three on-board SHARC DSPs, Luna II provides users
with all the benefits of a solid DSP architecture. Its unique latency-free routing
capabilities and the DSP-based "live" digital mixer (with advanced surround
capabilities and effects) make Luna II a valuable enhancement for every audio
computer - at an unprecedented price/performance ratio.
The Luna II PCI card is equipped with stereo analog and stereo S/PDIF inputs
and outputs, all of which featuring 24-bit and 96 kHz sound. If desired, this
can easily be expanded. The Luna 2496 converter box (MSRP 598.- US$) can be added
for eight additional 24/96 analog ins and outs. There is also a 16-channel ADAT
interface available (MSRP 198.- US$). Thus, a single-Luna system can manage 36
inputs and outputs simultaneously.
Luna II is equipped with CreamWare's Ultra Low Latency Interface (ULLI). Thanks
to this technology, audio driver latencies can be adjusted down to as low as 1
ms. This permits the configuration to be fully optimized for any host computer
- including the more-powerful computers which the future will surely bring.
In addition to hardware-based ASIO/EASI support, ULLI features drivers for
ASIO 2.0, DirectSound, MME, tripleDAT, GigaSampler, OMS and Sound Manager. Luna's
ultra-fast drivers and its powerful driver management system make it ideal for
use with any sequencer / recording program and with all "native" signal
processing, synthesis and sampling software packages.
Thanks to the on-board DSP power, Luna II can also serve as a mixer - one which
lets you integrate external equipment into the mix with zero latency, since Luna
II can process audio in true realtime. A dedicated 16-channel mixer for the creation
of 5.1 surround mixes also makes Luna II a highly interesting option for multimedia
and film composers.
Luna's DSP mixers feature their own EQ and compression units which, as with
all DSP-based modules, drain no power from the CPU. In addition to the included
effects, Luna II is open to the huge plug-in library available for CreamWare's
Pulsar/SCOPE platform. There are well over 100 of them available today - effects,
synthesizers, samplers and more. All of them are processed in realtime without
any latencies, making it possible to use Luna II e.g. just like a hardware guitar
effects processor. Dozens of those plug-ins can even be downloaded for free from
the Internet. Luna II now provides the most affordable entry to this exciting
and useful audio software.
Luna II is now available at a suggested retail price of 398.- US$. For more information, visit their web site at www.creamware.com. | 
