Austin, TX. Crystal Semiconductor today introduced the CS4226 surround sound codec. The CS4226 is the first single-chip codec to support Dolby Digital Surround (AC-3) and Dolby Pro Logic applications.

The CS4226 incorporates stereo A/D converters, six D/A converters (each with independent volume control), a mono A/D converter and an S/PDIF receiver. The A/D converters feature 95 dB dynamic range and the D/A converters perform to 108 dB signal-to-noise ratio and 98 dB dynamic range. A 3:1 multiplexer prior to the stereo A/D converter provides selection for three different stereo audio sources.

The on-chip S/PDIF receiver supports reception of both stereo PCM audio data and compressed 5.1 channel AC-3 and MPEG audio data. This capability enables the CS4226 receiver to directly connect to both CD players and DVD players with digital outputs. The receiver also contains selectable de-emphasis filters for 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, and 48 kHz applications.

Crystal says its new part can replace as many as nine discrete, integrated circuits in an AC-3 home theater product. Competitive solutions typically consist of an input multiplexer, stereo A/D converter, three stereo D/A converters, three volume control devices, and a digital audio receiver IC.

“The CS4226 plus an external AC-3 decoder offers the highest integration solution currently available for combined Dolby Digital Sound and Dolby Pro Logic receiver applications,” commented Roger Dressler of Dolby Labs.

The CS4226 is available in a 44-pin thin quad flat pack. It is priced at $32.00 in quantities of 1,000. Samples are available now with production quantities planned for the fourth quarter of 1996.

Last week, Crystal introduced another single-chip audio sub-system, the CS4238B, which implements QSound® Labs’ QXpander™ technology.

Minneapolis, MN. Navarre Corporation and Walter Yetnikoff, industry leader and former CEO of CBS Records, today announced the formation of VelVel Records.

The new independent music company will serve as a full-service umbrella company for a group of both new and established independent music labels, providing funding, marketing, promotional and creative support. The company has already signed a deal with Bottom Line Records and has acquired a non-controlling interest in Razor & Tie Records.

“VelVel is intent on bringing a wide array of music by today’s rising stars and established talent to as many consumers as possible,” said Yetnikoff. “We are going to compete on a level playing field with the major labels, with a reach only previously enjoyed by those major labels. We will show that independent labels are the future of this business.”

VelVel has already signed recording deals with Five-Eight, an alternative band from Atlanta; Band de Soleil, featuring gritty singer/songwriter Michelle Malone; Babyfat, another alternative rock act; and Prairie Oyster, a Juno Award-winning Canadian country group.

“We expect to have an immediate impact on the industry,” said VelVel’s President Bob Frank. “We’ll have great freedom to provide creative, operational and financial support to our labels, marketing and promoting some of today’s best artists.” Frank indicated the VelVel will have 15 employees by year end and is now in discussion with candidates for executive positions in marketing, media, promotions, finance and A&R.