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

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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.

Cycling ’74 demonstrated radiaL 1.0 at the Winter NAMM show. radiaL is an extensible loop-based composition and performance tool designed for Macintosh users looking to explode the boundaries between live performance, sound design, and composition.

radiaL is not simply another loop sequencer for real-time tinkering with tempo and pitch on multiple loops. radiaL is a loop-based performance software with a beautiful and unique interface thoughtfully optimized for playing live.

The program is based on loop channels represented by circular displays, each with its own performable multi-filter and pitch shifting/time scaling. Almost every aspect of the system can configured for live performance, studio recording, or sound exploration, controlled from a variety of sources (control surfaces, MIDI, keyboard or mouse).

radiaL features complete multi-channel audio I/O support, audio and effects routing, and support for VST plug-ins. It supports all major audio file formats and I/O standards. As a bonus, you get a dozen VST plug-in effects from Cycling 74’s Pluggo collection, and a crucial tempo-synchronized filter/delay.

Key Features:

• Sample-accurate loops and syncing
• Support for AIFF, WAV, and MP3 files
• Dynamic interchange of loops and DSP effects
• Built-in library of external MIDI controller templates and the ability to add your own
• Insanely flexible audio routing and support for ASIO, ReWire, DirectConnect, and VST on OS 9 and CoreAudio on OS X
• Record direct to disk record on the fly
• A free library of loops

Price and Availability

radiaL has a suggested retail price of $249 and will be available for purchase or download from www.cycling74.com on January 31. An OS X version of radial will be released in Q2, and will be available as a free upgrade to all registered radiaL users.

Cycling ’74 Web Site

More Winter NAMM Coverage