<A> EuPhonics and Analog Devices Announce 64-Voice Polyphony on ADI SoundMAX 64 Accelerator
BOULDER, Colo. -- EuPhonics, Inc. (www.euphonics.com) announced today the most cost-effective 64-voice wavetable synthesizer solution for Windows platforms. Called EuSynth(TM)/Wave-64 with Dynamic Interprocessor Voice Allocation(TM) (DIVA(TM)) technology, and available on the SoundMax64 accelerator from Analog Devices, Inc., (NYSE: ADI), it delivers up to 64 simultaneous DirectMusic(TM) voices, 32 of which are accelerated concurrently with DirectSound(TM), DirectSound3D(TM), and telephony.
"This cost effective solution meets the need of content developers for 64-voice polyphony without sacrificing system performance," said EuPhonics president and CEO, Dr. Jeffrey Barish. "Because our EuSynth/Wave technology is scalable, computer manufacturers can configure the audio subsystem to fit the needs of their diverse product offerings. EuPhonics has raised the standard for wavetable synthesis and its attendant architecture."
EuSynth/Wave-64 with DIVA Technology
EuSynth/Wave-64 with DIVA technology is the first dynamically scalable 64-voice wavetable synthesizer to support Microsoft's DirectMusic API (Application Program Interface) for wavetable music synthesis. It accelerates the first 32 voices, placing the primary computational burden on the SoundMAX 64 hardware. Demands for additional voices -- which occur infrequently -- are dynamically allocated to the host Pentium(R) processor.
Because the hardware accelerator fully supports typical loads, the host CPU is free to focus on its primary purpose, efficiently running the application. The hardware accelerator is spared the additional cost of circuitry that would be used infrequently. Thus, this "Dynamic Interprocessor Voice Allocation" preserves overall system performance at low incremental hardware cost.
DLS Standard Creates Demand for 64-Voice Polyphony
"The downloadable sound (DLS) technology supported in Microsoft's DirectMusic(TM) API will increase the demand for more sounds and better synthesis, especially of interest for computer gaming applications," said Tom White, president of the MIDI Manufacturers Association (MMA). "Given a standard API for downloading sounds supported by DirectMusic(TM), developers can embed in their product the original music instrument and effects samples used during the design. Game and application developers can now embrace wavetable technology as a vehicle not just for music synthesis, but for sound effects as well."
Game Developer Endorsement
"Consumers want three things from the audio in their PC software," added Nick Skrepetos, president, Human Machines Interfaces, Incorporated. "First, consumers want a rich, high quality, audio-visual experience. Second, consumers want interactive audio that changes during the experience. Third, consumers want this high quality, interactive audio experience with fast system performance. EuSynth/Wave-64 with DIVA is the system architecture breakthrough that HMI's been waiting for. We now have complete control of the sound palette, up to 64 simultaneous sounds, and a balanced architecture for the audio subsystem. EuSynth/Wave 64 and DIVA are the foundation on which HMI can exceed the consumers' expectations for a PC audio experience."
SoundMAX 64
SoundMAX 64 is the industry's first Windows '98 audio accelerator to support Intel AC '97 motherboards, PCI cards, as well as USB and IEEE 1394 sound and modem adapters for home personal computers. Analog Devices' fully digital audio architecture and EuPhonics' audio software address the demands of DVD audio and PC gaming audio for higher sonic quality in '98 and satisfy Intel's Digital Ready/Digital Only Audio '98 recommendations.
"EuPhonics is the clear technology leader in music synthesis for multimedia PCs," said Analog Devices' Dave French, VP and General Manager of Computer Products Division. "EuSynth/Wave-64 delivers sonic quality and performance commensurate with our 64-stream DirectSound mixer and variable sample rate technologies. And DIVA technology is the catalyst that allows SoundMAX 64 to hit mass-market price points."
The Seamless Solution
EuSynth/Wave-64 with DIVA technology uses a MIDI router -- unique to EuPhonics -- to allocate audio processing tasks between the DSP and host synthesis engines. Timbre is invariant with platform because both engines use the same synthesis algorithm and the same EuPatch(TM) instrument sample set. Solutions that require the user to control the routing of MIDI commands between hardware and host CPU produce different timbres depending on which platform synthesizes the voice and they make it impossible to synthesize more than 32 voices of any particular instrument. DIVA is the first multi-platform solution whose operation is transparent to users.
EuPhonics' SoundCore(TM)
As a member of EuPhonics' SoundCore family of products, EuSynth/Wave-64 is designed to work synergistically with other SoundCore algorithms to deliver a comprehensive and concurrent multimedia audio solution. SoundCore is the most complete suite of DirectX compatible multimedia audio technology available today. EuSpace(TM) algorithms for spatial enhancement include EuSpace/3D for DirectSound3D acceleration, EuSpace/DVD for Dolby Digital acceleration, and EuSpace/Wide for stereo field expansion.
EuSynth(TM) music synthesis algorithms include EuSynth/Wave for wavetable synthesis with companion General MIDI wavetable sample sets and EuSynth/Legacy for FM emulation with Sound Blaster compatibility. EuFx algorithms include audio effects such as reverberation, chorus, flange, echo, delay, EQ, and pitch changing.
Analog Devices, Inc.
With sales of $1.2 billion for fiscal 1996, Analog Devices (NYSE: ADI) is a leading manufacturer of precision high-performance integrated circuits used in analog and digital signal processing applications. Headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts, the company employs approximately 7,200 people worldwide and has manufacturing facilities in Massachusetts, California, North Carolina, Ireland, the Philippines and Taiwan.
Human Machine Interfaces, Inc.
HMI publishes Rapid Fire and licenses its Sound Operating System technology to the developers of Tomb Raider, Red Alert, Legend of Kyrandia, MDK, Pandora Directive, and Links LS.
EuPhonics, Inc.
EuPhonics, Inc., of Boulder, Colorado, develops software that drives the hardware of major companies in the multimedia and music synthesis industries. Founded in 1987, EuPhonics licenses music synthesis and audio effects software to volume manufacturers of integrated circuits, sound cards, computers, consumer electronics, and games. EuPhonics has provided technology for industry leaders Analog Devices, Digidesign, Emu, Lexicon, Roland, S3, VLSI Technologies, and Yamaha.
EuPhonics, EuSynth/Wave-64, DIVA, EuPatch, EuSpace, Dynamic Concurrency Scaling, and SoundCore are trademarks of EuPhonics, Inc. All other trademarks belong to their respective owners.
/NOTE TO EDITORS: A EuSynth/Wave-64 with Diva graphic diagram is available from EuPhonics, Gus Skinas, 303-938-8448 x231, or it can be downloaded from the EuPhonics web site at www.euphonics.com/press9.html./ |
