Archives for November 2002

Native Instruments Presents Absynth Sounds Vol. 1 ­ Sonic Expansion

Absynth Sounds Volume 1 is the perfect complement to Absynth’s factory sound library. This patch collection contains 256 outstanding sounds, including evolving soundscapes, evocative pads, authentic marimbas and vibes, robotic sequences, punchy loops, organic basses, and accurate synths. All patches were sculpted to take full advantage of Absynth’s multiple synthesis techniques as well as its powerful modulation and performance capabilities.

These sounds are as dynamic and playable as they are compelling. Velocity, modulation, and MIDI controllers are programmed into each sound for subtle musical response and dynamic manipulation of tone and timbre. An inspiring resource for film composers, performing musicians, and electronic/pop producers.

ABSYNTH SOUNDS Vol. 1 is now available at a recommended retail price of $49 (US) or 49 Euro.

Native Instruments Web Site

Capitol Records to Release The Beach Boys Pet Sounds on DVD-A

On February 25, 2003, Capitol Records will release the Beach Boys classic, Pet Sounds, on DVD-Audio (plays on all DVD players). This is the first time you will be able to get the complete album in stereo, mono and 5.1 surround sound.

The disc will play five different ways: Advanced Resolution Surround, Advanced Resolution Stereo, Advanced Resolution Mono, DTS 5.1 Surround Sound and DVD-Video Compatible Dolby Digital 5.1.

The new DVD includes the original 13 tracks plus seven bonus tracks, sessionography, track-by-track notes, liner notes by noted Beach Boys author David Leaf, discography, and photo galleries along with a Pet Sounds promo film (featuring three songs from the album). The record has been produced and engineered by Grammy-winning producer Mark Linett, who has engineered and co-produced the entire catalog of Beach Boys Capitol-era CD releases including the landmark Good Vibrations and The Pet Sounds Sessions box sets.

BKP Launches Breakthrough Interactive Website

The Middle Eastern music production industry leader Barry Kirsch Productions ‘BKP’ projected its creative edge through a different medium with the recent launch of its state-of-the-art fully interactive audio website, a regional debut for this genre of technical wizardry.

The Flash 6 powered site uniquely delivers over 175 male and female voice-over talent samples on demand in different languages from all over the world, allowing companies and agencies the ability to find their perfect brand representative voice from the comfort of their offices.

According to BKP founder, Barry Kirsch, this Web site forms part of their growing pioneering endeavors towards providing clients with more freedom and creative options for their marketing communication productions. “BKP is at the forefront of delivering an international standard of audio solutions to the marketing industry across the region,” said Kirsch. “Our new interactive site is the latest tangible example of our total commitment to retaining this position in an increasingly competitive market sector.”

The website was designed by octOpus, one of the UAE’s most innovative communications consultancies. Stuart Cameron, Managing Director of octOpus, believes that communication is all about ensuring that the correct message gets to the correct people through the correct environment at the correct time. “Following the initial and misguided euphoria that heralded a new beginning through e-commerce solutions,” said Cameron, “clients now seem to be tentatively re-assessing the business benefits that can be provided by an e-presence. The new BKP site is a perfect example of this new realism. BKP, in conjunction with ourselves at octOpus recognised that both agencies and clients would appreciate the opportunity to quickly review voice options in the comfort of their own premises.”

The website will provide more options and save cost and time for agencies and clients looking for the perfect voice, as voices can be sampled, stored, and downloaded directly to the visitors’ computers for reference and subsequent review by other parties.

Other than voice-over talents, the website also provides information on the full range of products and services offered by BKP; From original and library background music to sonic branding, sound design radio and TV production and post production.

Kirsch was responsible for many of the best-recognised jingles and sonic brands produced in the region over the last 15 years, including the one currently used by Emirates Airlines. Kirsch explains, “Sonic branding is one of the most effective means of defining or enhancing a company’s image and reinforcing the overall ideals of a brand. As such, it has become one of the fastest growing areas in the overall BKP offer.” With the site being the first of its kind in the region, BKP affirms it’s no background sing-along, and it stands as an achievement that both Kirsch and Cameron are rightfully proud of.

BKP Music Web Site

Capitol Records to Release The Beach Boys Pet Sounds on DVD-A

On February 25, 2003, Capitol Records will release the Beach Boys classic, Pet Sounds, on DVD-Audio (plays on all DVD players). This is the first time you will be able to get the complete album in stereo, mono and 5.1 surround sound.

The disc will play five different ways: Advanced Resolution Surround, Advanced Resolution Stereo, Advanced Resolution Mono, DTS 5.1 Surround Sound and DVD-Video Compatible Dolby Digital 5.1.

The new DVD includes the original 13 tracks plus seven bonus tracks, sessionography, track-by-track notes, liner notes by noted Beach Boys author David Leaf, discography, and photo galleries along with a Pet Sounds promo film (featuring three songs from the album). The record has been produced and engineered by Grammy-winning producer Mark Linett, who has engineered and co-produced the entire catalog of Beach Boys Capitol-era CD releases including the landmark Good Vibrations and The Pet Sounds Sessions box sets.

Audio D/A Converter From TI Offers Industry’s Highest Dynamic Range for High- End Audio Equipment

132dB DAC Complies With Next-Generation CD Formats, SACD and DVD-Audio

Texas Instruments announced today a new Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) that offers the industry’s highest dynamic range for high-end audio equipment. The PCM1792 utilizes TI’s proprietary Advanced Segment technology to achieve a maximum dynamic range of 132 decibels (dB) (mono mode), surpassing the standard 120-123dB performance provided by conventional Delta-Sigma DACs. This level of dynamic range enables audio manufacturers to reproduce sound much closer to the original recording source.

Audio equipment manufacturers can now rely on the 132 dB (mono mode) performance of the PCM1792 in a wide range of high-fidelity audio applications such as A/V amplifiers, universal players (which play both DVD-Audio and SACD) and professional mixing consoles. The PCM1792 supports audio sources that comply with next-generation music CD formats, DVD-Audio and Super Audio CD (SACD). TI will also offer the DSD1792, a companion device equipped with a dedicated SACD signal input terminal.

Dynamic range is a parameter that expresses numerically how accurately sounds of small amplitude can be reproduced without distortion. The higher the dynamic range, the higher the quality of the sound. The PCM1792 has a dynamic range that significantly exceeds SACD’s specification, making it possible to more accurately reproduce recorded program material. Prior to this device, there was no integrated circuit DAC available with a dynamic range exceeding 130dB.

TI’s proprietary Advanced Segment DAC architecture is characterized by a constant current, multi-level configuration that enables the DAC to achieve the industry’s highest dynamic range and offer increased tolerance to clock jitter. This architecture also provides an analog Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filter, which the industry recommends as the filtering process to best utilize SACD’s superior performance.

Key Features of the PCM1792 D/A Converter

  • Dynamic range

– 132 dB (9.0Vrms, Mono)
– 129 dB (4.5Vrms, Stereo)
– 127 dB (2.0Vrms, Stereo)

  • Sampling rate: Up to 192kHz
  • THD+N: 0.0004%
  • Resolution: 24 bit (PCM)
  • Compliance with DSD and PCM formats

Pricing, Availability, and Packaging

Samples of the PCM1792 and the DSD1792 are available today, with volume production scheduled to begin in March 2003. Both products are available in a 28-pin SSOP package. Each product is priced from $13.00 in 1,000 piece quantities (suggested resale price).

About Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP and analog technologies to meet our customers’ real world signal processing requirements. In addition to Semiconductor, the company’s businesses include Sensors & Controls, and Educational & Productivity Solutions. TI is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and has manufacturing, design or sales operations in more than 25 countries.