Archives for January 2003

Universal Audio, the manufacturer of authentic vintage analog reproductions and DSP-powered plug-ins, demonstrated its 2192 Dual Digital to Analog and Analog to Digital Converter at the NAMM Convention in Anaheim, California on January 16-19, 2003.

True to the company motto, Analog Ears; Digital Minds, the 2192 Dual DA/AD Converter is the first product to combine Universal Audio’s expertise in high-quality vintage analog gear with the advanced digital design technology it acquired with the recent purchase of software developer Kind of Loud Technologies.

The 2192, a single rack unit, provides simple front panel controls, supports sample rates up to 192K, and transcodes between AES/EBU, S/PDIF and ADAT in realtime, with single and dual wire AES modes. The 2192 is due to begin shipping in April 2003, retail price has not yet been announced.

“What really sets the 2192 apart from other DA/AD converters,” said Universal Audio VP of Engineering Joe Bryan, “is its Class-A analog circuitry, which has exceptional detail and image clarity, yet retains the warmth and character of the original source at all sample rates.”

The 2192 offers tremendous flexibility in signal routing and monitoring. For example, you can run signal into the analog inputs at sample rates ranging from 44.1K to 192K, and simultaneously output it to AES/EBU (single- or dual-wire), S/PDIF and ADAT (with industry standard S-MUX interleaving for sample rates above 48kHz). The selectable output monitor allows you to monitor any of the digital inputs, or the analog input with no interruption to the transcoding, making the 2192 an ideal hub in any personal or professional studio integrating the best of analog and digital technologies.

The 2192 also serves as an extremely high-quality digital to analog and analog to digital converter. As a front end for a native workstation, the 2192 provides two channels of sterling sound quality for tracking, monitoring and mastering. Or if you’re working on a digital console or workstation that utilizes higher sample rates, the 2192 will dramatically improve your monitoring environment and the quality of your analog masters.

More 2192 Details

Universal Audio Web Site

More Winter NAMM Coverage

German sound and audio works TerraTec Electronic is offering a new professional preamplifier/converter for PC-based workstations. The EWS MIC8 AudioSystem is a standard 19-inch rack unit with eight high-quality balanced line and microphone inputs, and eight balanced outputs. It should be available in late January 2003.

Other features of the MIC8 include 48V phantom power for condenser mics, a low-cut filter per input channel, ADAT interface, EWS88 PCI card including 4 meter connection cable, 24-bit S/PDIF, 2 MIDI ports, WordClock I/O and flexible routing of all sources. The EWS MIC 8 will be available after the NAMM.

The core 8-channel microphone preamp of the EWS MIC8 AudioSystem was developed by TerraTec in close cooperation with SPL (SoundPerformanceLab) Germany. It can be used as a stand-alone device – for example, as a microphone preamplifier, or as 24-bit/96-kHz AD/DA converter in connection with ADAT devices or cards – or connected to a PC-based workstation through the available TerraTec EWS88 PCI card.

TerraTec also introduced a lower-priced companion product at NAMM, based on the MIC8 19″ module. The AudioSystem EWS MIC2 offers all of the features of the MIC8, including the 8 balanced analog inputs and outputs, but with only two microphone preamps rather than eight.

Each of the new rack units is available individually, or in a bundle (MIC8+, MIC2+) with the EWS88 PCI card and connection cable.

Key Features of the MIC8 & MIC2

• 19″ rack mounted external module for EWS88 PCI card interface (hardware version 2.0 or later), or any ADAT interface cards
• 24 bit/96 kHz A/D converters with 105 dB (A) SNR
• 24 bit/96 kHz D/A converters with 106 dB (A) SNR
• 8 channel balanced analog I/O, XLR and 6.3 mm stereo jack
• 8 gain controls on front side for analog inputs (20 dB range)
• 8 input signal and clip LEDs on front side
• 2 XLR balanced Mic In’s on front side, alternatively to input 7 and 8 (auto priority)
• Input switchable between Mic and Line/Instrument
• 8 (2 with MIC2) high quality microphone amplifiers, developed in co-operation with SPL Germany
• Direct Out setting for all analog channels on front side (monitoring)
• Phase, low-cut and mute settings for each channel
• 48 Volt phantom power
• High quality headphone DAC and amplifier for monitoring the mixed signal
• Internal power supply
• Integrated ADAT interface (Light-Pipe)
• TOS-Link interface for ADAT or S/PDIF
• Up to 8 ADAT channels and audio channels can be mixed
• 2 separate MIDI-interfaces (with EWS88 PCI card)
• WordClock I/O
• +4/-10 dB setting
• Stand-alone operation mode (microphone preamp, ADAT interface, DI-Box)

TerraTec Web Site

More Winter NAMM Coverage

At the Midem 2003 music industry event in Cannes, France, copy protection technologies vendor Macrovision has announced that it will release a new multi-level copy protection and rights management solution for music CDs in the first quarter of 2003.

CDS-300 is the first result of Macrovision’s acquisition of copy protection software developer Midbar last year. Macrovision says it provides multi-level security that inhibits unauthorized file sharing and piracy, while allowing consumers to make limited copies of rights-protected music CDs to their personal computers. With CDS-300, users can make a back-up copy of the original encrypted disc on any PC through the Microsoft Windows Media Player and listen to their music without the CD present.

CDS-300 includes the following features:

• Enables playability on PCs through the Microsoft Windows Media Player
• Users may copy files to their Windows Media Library for playback without the original CD
• Creates barriers to “open source” Red Book audio sessions
• Music files will not play if distributed over the Internet or e-mailed
• No Internet connection or additional plug-ins necessary for the consumer
• Maintains original audio quality

“The music industry can’t afford a third successive year with a 5-10% drop in revenues. Our customers and partners in the music industry are working overtime to deliver high entertainment value and creative content to their customers while, at the same time, working to ensure content creators are paid fairly for their creative works and are making substantial investments in the sales, marketing and distribution of their music products,” said Mark Belinsky, senior vice president and general manager of Macrovision’s Music Technology Division.

“Macrovision is working hard to develop and deliver a full complement of copy protection and DRM solutions to achieve these important objectives.”

Macrovision acquired Midbar Tech Ltd. in December 2002. The combined Macrovision and Midbar engineering and R&D teams bring significant technical and support resources to the new music technology division.