Voxengo Introduces r8brain PRO Sample Rate Conversion Software
 November 2, 2004
New from Voxengo is its new sample rate conversion application for Windows - r8brain PRO.
Unlike many existing SRC algorithms available on the market, r8brain PRO implements sample rate conversion process in its full: interpolation and decimation steps without exploiting any kind of simplifications: signal is first resampled to a least common multiple sample rate which makes conversion perfect. In the core of the SRC algorithm the convolution methods of the company's Pristine Space convolution processor are employed.
Like many existing SRC programs r8brain PRO offers you a linear-phase conversion mode. But you also have an option of using minimum-phase conversion mode in which r8brain PRO works like an ideal digital-to-analog converter followed by an analog-to-digital converter to resample the audio. This eliminates pre-ringing associated with linear-phase designs while introduces only a minimal amount of phase coloration, according to the company.
r8brain PRO can read mono, stereo and multi-channel files in both WAV and AIFF file formats creating 16-, 24- and 32-bit mono, stereo and multi-channel WAV files in fixed and floating point formats. EBU BWF (broadcasting) extensions, extensible wave format, sample loops and textual data residing inside the file are also supported. For the sake of your convenience r8brain PRO allows you to perform batch conversions in a convenient manner.
r8brain PRO's bit depth conversion is limited to flat dithering. Voxengo decided not to implement noise-shaped dithering because pro audio production software available on the market usually offer the user noise-shaped dithering of some kind already. They also based our decision on the fact that sample rate conversion process often adjusts peak structure of the original program material thus in many cases making a subsequent peak-limiting a necessity. To prevent output audio from clipping, a level normalization feature has been implemented.
Demo version of r8brain PRO allows you to evaluate all features of the software, but its conversion is limited to the first minute of the audio file. The demo version does not support batch conversions. You may register to obtain either Full or Light license of r8brain PRO. The Light version offers you linear-phase conversion mode and up to 48 kHz output sample rates only while supporting all input sample rates. The Full version offers you all features of the software.
r8brain PRO features:
- Reads 8-, 16-, 24-, 32-bit PCM and IEEE files
- Reads both WAV and AIFF files
- Writes 16-, 24-, 32-bit PCM and IEEE WAV files
- Multi-channel file support
- Extensible wave format support
- EBU BWF extensions support
- Linear- and minimum-phase modes
- Batch support
- Automatic normalization
- Supports all standard sample rates
r8brain PRO Full is currently available for the introductory price of US$99.95. r8brain PRO Light is available for US$39.95.
For more information, visit their web site at www.voxengo.com. | 
