Sony
Launches DPS-V55 Multi-Effects ProcessorLeading
Engineers Write Signature Presets for DPS-V55 January
29, 1998Sony
Electronics is unveiling its new multi-effects processor, the DPS-V55, a powerful,
cost-effective tool for music production and mixing. Working with many leading
engineers--Roger Nichols, the Dust Brothers, Michael Bernard, Snuffy Walden, Rob
Arbettier, Tom Jung--to develop presets, the DPS-V55 is designed to benefit musicians
in project studios, desktop applications, public address environments and for
television and multimedia applications. Drawing from an advanced level of
technology found in Sony's DPS-V77, the new unit offers many of the same sonic
advantages: the same DSP rate, the same processing chip and twohit converters.
The target market of the DPS-V55 is geared more towards multi-use for surround
sound mixing applications by virtue of its features and price point. "It is
very exciting to work with these well-known engineers who are known for their
distinct sounds to develop unique and creative preset sounds," said Paul Foschino,
marketing manager of professional audio products for Sony Electronics' Business
and Professional Group. "The roster of preset developers is a respected group
from different facets of the music production industry, and we anticipate that
their combined creative knowledge will make the processor a more dynamic machine."
The DPS-V55 offers users tremendous flexibility with the choice of 45 effects
types that can run on the processor's four channels, and gives musicians the Opportunity
to mix in twochannel stereo or four-channel Surround sound. The unique structure
of the DPS-V55 offers various operational modes to run four-channel "surround"
effects, two independent simultaneous "true stereo" effects or four independent
mono input/stereo output effects. The included edit librarian software allows
for continuous preset updating and storage, which will allow Sony to make more
"signature" presets available in the future. A significant ease-of-use feature
of the DPS-V55 is its knob velocity, which can be adjusted to scroll through presets
as quickly as needed. Because the presets on the machine are grouped according
to input configuration and application, musicians access to the effects is further
simplified by the search function, which allows quick access to presets with certain
algorithms selected. Efficiency is also aided by the presence of an algorithm
chart on the machine which identifies various effects. The machine's large rotary
knob and large tap tempo button makes the DPS-V55 easy to use and provides musicians
with quicker turnaround time for implementing effects. "The DPS-V55 offers
stereo and surround sound capability, with some great-sounding effects," Foschino
said. "The potential applications for this machine are many, and it will be interesting
to see what effect the work of Roger Nichols and others will have in new places."
The DPS-V55 will be available in April at a suggested
list price of $550. For
more information, visit their web site at www.sony.com. | 
