MIDI synthesis goes soft
Article Abstract:
MIDI audio presents several advantages to multimedia developers, including small file sizes, interactive responsiveness, and light processor load. However, it does require sound cards for playback, which means that developers must ensure compatibility with as many boards as possible. Some developers may abandon the sound card concept, and synthesize music in real time with software, using Intel's Native Signal Processing (NSP) tool kit for Pentium processors. Intel's model would eliminate sound cards and place an audio codec chip in the motherboard instead of the most expensive DSP. NSP includes a MIDI synthesizer engine that can play up to 32 voices. It will be preloaded on Intel motherboards, and drives will be included. Over 200 manufacturers will support NSP. Other companies including Brooktree and Kurzweil are also experimenting with software synthesis. Still, the synthesis is not expected to be widely embraced until even faster CPUs are introduced.
Publication Name: Newmedia
Subject: Computers and office automation industries
ISSN: 1060-7188
Year: 1995
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Digital audio software for multimedia
Article Abstract:
The high quality of consumer audio playback systems makes it increasingly important for multimedia productions to include good soundtracks. Audio recorder/editors convert sound into digital data for disk storage and audio playback. There are two categories: two-track and multitrack. The two-track approach is sufficient for basic editing, but multitracking is necessary for large compositions that include layering. Desktop audio editing requires a powerful computer, a Pentium-based PC or a 68040 or higher in a Macintosh. Ten audio editors are reviewed and compared. All of these applications provide the basic editing features, including mixing, fade in and out, cut, copy and paste. Newer applications include reverb, equalization, delay effects, dynamics control and noise reduction. Macintosh applications are slightly better than PC products. Pro Tools III is the best audio choice for both PCs and Macs.
Publication Name: Newmedia
Subject: Computers and office automation industries
ISSN: 1060-7188
Year: 1996
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16-bit Mac sound editors for multimedia authoring
Article Abstract:
A comparison of Macromedia's $379 SoundEdit 16 and Opcode Systems' $149.95 Audioshop 2.0 finds both Mac sound editors to be excellent tools for producing high-quality audio. Users will appreciate the price savings offered by the lower-priced Audioshop. It is also more slick and faster than the Macromedia offering. SoundEdit 16 is a more sophisticated package geared towards QuickTime producers and other multimedia authors. It ships with a stunning collection of 300 high-quality sound effects offered via the Hollywood Edge library. SoundEdit is also strong in dealing with RAM-resident sounds and boasts numerous DSP functions including echo, reverb, flanging, fade-in and fade-outs and a five-band equalizer that can be adjusted by frequency settings. Audioshop is more geared towards CD-based productions and should be considered a good entry-level sound editing tool.
Publication Name: Newmedia
Subject: Computers and office automation industries
ISSN: 1060-7188
Year: 1995
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
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