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Sony Bringing Oxford EQ to Pro Tools Systems

With its OXF-R3 Oxford and DMX-R100 digital consoles, Sony has succeeded in developing a digital EQ to match the qualitative standards of the best analog circuitry.

Now Sony's "Oxford team" has developed a high-precision Digidesign Pro Tools TDM "plug-in" based on the same processing algorithms, that offers previously unavailable on-board equalization power in a digital audio workstation. The Sony plug-in achieves the same performance as the consoles from which it is derived by implementing the "double precision" processing capability of the TDM chip throughout and significantly for both the audio processing and coefficient generation, ensuring that the quality of this EQ plug-in is significantly better than any other.

The Oxford team has used the identical EQ algorithm to that used in the OXF-R3 and the DMX-R100 consoles and maintained superior quality by implementing 48-bit processing for certain performance-critical areas, such as coefficient calculation. Other invaluable enhancements include the continuous control of the coefficients to enable very delicate selection of frequency, gain and Q, and the re-dithering of the plug-in output, eliminating another source of distortion associated with lower quality plug-ins. Unique to Sony is the patented de-cramping' mathematics that eliminates distortion in the gain envelope at higher frequencies and even enables center frequencies to be used up to 26kHz. </P> <P> &quot;This introduction puts one of the tools that has defined the sound of the OXF-R3 and DMX-R100 mixing consoles into the hands of a wider range of engineers and producers everywhere,&quot; says Paul Foschino, marketing manager, Sony Electronics' Professional Audio Group, Business and Professional Group. &quot;The interest and excitement created by the release of these plug-ins is a testament to the incredible work of the Oxford team and the remarkable sound quality of their equalizer designs.&quot; </P> <P> This is the first in a new range of plug-ins designed to offer the acclaimed sound of Sony's digital recording consoles to users of computer-based digital audio editing systems and workstations. It is 5-band fully parametric, with separate High and Low pass filters. As with the equalizer found on the Oxford console, the plug-in offers many advanced performance features, including: </P> <UL> <LI>Control coefficients calculated on the fly, allowing quantization-free and noise-free operation, emulating the sound and operation of an analog EQ, while providing the greater accuracy of a digital unit;</LI> <LI>LF and HF EQ bands with selectable shelf settings;</LI> <LI>Separate variable high and low pass filters with adjustable slopes;</LI> <LI>Four different EQ types, emulating the performance of popular types of analog EQs including somelegacy' styles renowned for their artistic performance;

Extremely low noise and distortion performance measuring below -138dB at unity gain;

Multiple instances of this powerful EQ can be loaded in each TDM processing chip. An optional GML (George Massenburg Labs) 8200 Emulation is additionally available for the Sony Oxford EQ plug-in. This option, designed in collaboration with GML, faithfully reproduces the control ranges and the responses of the original classic analog outboard unit.

All commercial enquiries for the new Sony plug-ins are handled by a dedicated Web site (www.sonyplugins.com). The site, which came online on September 17, includes detailed product specifications and provides customer support. Purchases are made using a fully automated e-commerce download system, so enabling the creative use of the product within minutes of the decision to buy.

For more information, visit their web site at http://www.sony.com/.

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