Euphonix Unveils New B2B Solutions for
Audio Facilities and Their ClientsBusiness-to-business strategy enables Euphonix customers to
collaborate with artists, producers, engineers and record labels. September 29, 2000During the 109th Audio Engineering Society Convention, Euphonix is announcing an exciting range of solutions aimed at breaking through the traditional "bricks-and-mortar" walls of recording, authoring and mastering facilities. In addition to spotlighting the System 5 High-Performance Digital Production Console, the CS 3000 Series Digitally-Controlled Analog Console and R-1 Multitrack Digital Recorders, the eye-catching AES booth will feature nine InterNetworked audio stations. Each separate, but interrelated, station is equipped with a breakthrough technology that underscores Euphonix’ overall theme of "InterNetworking."
"It’s a very innovative AES demonstration," enthuses company president Piers Plaskitt. "We have set up examples of real-life situations that our customers face every day with the endless mix-review processes and multiple audio file formats they encounter during the normal course of business. Euphonix is extending the recording studio beyond its physical walls to enable a wide cross section of audio professionals to control and monitor, share and review audio material over local networks and the Internet. The business office and studio computer network have merged with the Internet, to the point where the transition between the two is seamless – hence our term InterNetworking."
Euphonix’ main focus continues to be the support of music studios, broadcasters and post-production facilities through the development of 24-bit/96 kHz large-format consoles and digital recorders. "Our new InterNetworking products are examples of the types of solutions we are offering audio facilities as a supplement their core business," Plaskitt offers.
"During production of a CD or DVD-Audio project, for example, a number of people will need to access and listen to digital audio material," explains Scott Silfvast, company founder and Chief Product Officer. "These individuals can range from artists, producers and record executives, to mastering houses and record-company marketing, production and archiving staff. Euphonix plans to support each of them through unique new products and technologies, and strategic partnerships with companies such as Rocket Network, Sonic Solutions and Digidesign."
The nine separate "InterNetworked Stations" comprise:
Euphonix eDeck and Studio Centers, which allow users to replay and share Audio Mix Files in a number of formats via local area networks and the Internet. The free eDeck software plays a variety of professional digital audio formats including 24-bit/96 kHz 5.1-channel WAV files for DVD-Audio production, and includes basic conversion of industry-standard file formats. Rocket Powered™ Euphonix Studio Centers provide private, secure storage and transfer of mix files.
Rocket Network, which allows studios to connect to engineers, producers, record labels, musicians, soloists and vocal talents – everyone involved in the creative music-making process – through a conventional Internet connection, and provide secure on-line transfer and storage of digital audio files.
Internet Control for System 5, which uses a wireless tablet PC to remotely access mixing functions on the Internet or a local wireless Ethernet link via a graphical touch-screen interface.
Listen-In Service, which allows artists, producers, engineers and record executives and other studio clients to remotely monitor live mix sessions using a simple, low-cost Internet access. The Service provides real-time high-quality monitoring of a two-channel mix; the listener only needs a cable modem, DSL or better broadband connection and a standard PC sound card.
Digidesign Pro Tools Integration, which connects this industry-standard digital audio workstation to System 5 and other MADI-compatible digital consoles. The Euphonix FC727 Format Converter links bi-directionally to Pro Tools, with automatic sample-rate conversion from 24-bit/48 kHz tracks to 24/96 mix sessions. The unit also handles conversion of TDIF, AES/EBU, SDIF-2, ADAT and ProDigi to the MADI format.
Premium-Precision A-to-D and D-to-A Converters, which provide high-quality – up to 24-bit 96 kHz – multichannel digital audio conversion to/from MADI-format I/O.
Networked Control Architecture for System 5 using industry-standard IP control, which enables a small portion of the control surface to be located away from the main console and used, for example, to fine-tune a mix balance.
DVD Mastering and Authoring, which comprises a Sonic Solutions workstation and a System 5 Mastering console to demonstrate the integration of DVD-Audio authoring and mastering systems directly with Euphonix’ all-digital mixing solution. "We offer networked-file compatibility with leading authoring systems, including Sonic Solutions and Panasonic," says Silfvast. "This includes transfer of 24/96 5.1-channel surround-sound files from System 5 or R-1 to mastering or authoring stations."
"The DVD-Audio Revolution," which comprises a DVD-A player linked to a 5.1-channel playback system to demonstrate the sonic advantages of the new 24/96 surround-sound consumer format, including sample DVD-A music from Warner Music Group and BMG that was produced on Euphonix equipment.
"We plan to break down the walls of audio production," Silfvast concludes. "Just as Listen-In Service enables a producer located in a distant city to monitor the progress of a session via the Internet – and make creative comments to the control-room staff – so our new offerings will take the next step in providing a powerful and fully-featured Collaborative Environment, from studio sessions through mixing and mastering to DVD-A authoring."
"Euphonix is providing the ability to create Internet-compliant data files that can be accessed by our unique eDeck File Management Model," offers Plaskitt, "while our Studio Centers move high-precision audio material seamlessly and efficiently from one location to another. In this way, customers of our unique System 5 High Performance Digital Audio Console and R-1 Digital Multitrack Recorder will be able to share audio material via the Internet as easily as they do now using removable media and industry-standard file formats." For more information, visit their web site at www.euphonix.com. | 
RSS Feeds
