Products of Interest

Soundart Chameleon Programmable Digital Signal Processor

Soundart, based in Barcelona, has released Chameleon, a 24-bit, rack-mountable digital signal processor that can be re-programmed by users and developers. The goal is to provide the speed and audio quality of a hardware-based processor while adding the flexibility of software-based tools.

The Chameleon is built around the Motorola DSP56303 chip, common to many audio processors and digital synthesizers. It is capable of processing data at resolutions up to 56 bits. Additional RAM allows up to 87 seconds of monophonic delay time. The analog-digital converters operate at 24 bits, 48 kHz sampling rate. The unit also includes the Motorola Coldfire DSP chip to manage the real-time data input. The MIDI functions are built on the MIDIShare system, with up to 8 MB RAM for sequence storage. Another 1 MB RAM is included as Flash RAM for patch storage.

The front panel includes controls for volume and headphones, along with twelve push-buttons, three knobs, a rotary control, and an LCD display. These controllers are programmable for any desired functionality. On the back, there are the connections for power, a serial interface (for connection to a computer), and MIDI and audio connections. New applications can be loaded through either the serial or the MIDI ports. Applications can also be stored on the Flash RAM to be loaded automatically.

Soundart is making the Software Developers Kit available free of charge; it comes with programming tools as well as extensive documentation and application examples. Newapplications may be distributed or sold through the Soundart Web site. For commercial developers, source code may be locked to the serial number of the unit for secure distribution.

Chameleon sells for Euro 795.00. Discounts are available for educational institutions. Contact: Soundart, c/ Corcega 89, entlo., 08029 Barcelona, Spain; telephone (+34) 93-363-7100; fax (+34) 93-321-3173; electronic mail codemaster@soundart-hot.com; Web www.soundart-hot.com.

Native Instruments Absynth Software Synthesizer

Native Instruments has released another product in its line of virtual instruments. Absynth (see Figure 1) is a software synthesizer that is designed to run within any audio editing/ sequencing host program that supports the VST 2.0 protocol.

Absynth comprises six oscillators, four filters, three ring modulators, one waveshaper, and one delay processor per "voice." It also comes with a graphic waveform editor, which can be used to modulate waveforms as well as to create wave-shaping distortion effects. The wave-form editor operates in real-time, allowing changes to be heard instantly. The program offers three oscillator types, and at least twelve envelope shapes, each containing up to 68 breakpoints. The envelopes can be set to loop or retrigger a sound, enabling cyclic rhythms or evolving textures to be created. The Editor window displays multiple envelopes simultaneously so that the evolution of different layers of sound can be precisely synchronized against a tempo grid.

Figure 1.

Native Instruments Absynth Software Synthesizer.

Up to six parallel delay lines can be modulated by the LowFrequency Oscillators (LFOs) or by MIDI controllers. Delay times can be as short as one sample and as long as ten seconds. Various other Absynth synthesis parameters can be modulated by MIDI continuous controllers, after-touch, velocity, and note number. Continuous controller input can be smoothed with a lag control, enabling ranges to be set as desired. MIDI Note numbers can control parameters through note scale maps, where each parameter can have a different value for every note.

Depending on the capacity of the host program/computer, up to eight Absynth sounds can be run simultaneously. Minimum computer requirements are: Windows 98/2000/ XP, Pentium 400 MHz, 128 MB RAM, VST 2.0/DXi/ASIO interfaces.

Absynth sells for US$ 289.00. Contact: Native Instruments Software Synthesis, GmbH, Schlesische Strasse 28, D-10997 Berlin, Germany; telephone (+49) 30-611-035 30; fax (+49) 30-611-035-35; electronic mail info@native-instruments.de; or, contact: Native Instruments USA, 6477 Almaden Expressway, Suite D2-F8, San Jose, California 95120, USA; telephone (1) 800-665-0030; fax (1) 408-266 6591; electronic mail info@native...