Products of Interest

XFilez Encoder/Decoder for Windows Media Audio

XFilez, Inc., has released its WMA Encoder/Decoder for Windows computers. The program converts WAV, OGG, and MP3 audio files into the Windows Media Audio (WMA) format, and vice versa. It is claimed that the WMA format enables audio to be compressed to half the size of MP3 files while retaining similar listening quality.

The WMA Encoder/Decoder supports a range of bit-rates and sampling rates. The software includes an ID3 tag editor and a command-line batch editor for converting multiple files.

XFilez sells its Encoder/Decoder for US$ 29.00. Site and network licenses are also available. Contact XFilez, Inc.; electronic mail sales@x-filez.com; World Wide Web www.x-filez.com/.

empreintes DIGITALes "British Connection" Electroacoustic Compact Discs

empreintes DIGITALes has released a set of three compact discs by British electroacoustic composers. This set, which producer Jean-François Denis calls "British Connection," includes: Jonty Harrison Évidence matérielle (IMED 0052), featuring Klang (1982), Sorties (1995), Surface Tension (1996), Splintering (1997), Streams (1999); Adrian Moore Traces (IMED 0053), including Junky (1996), Dreamarena (1996), Study In Ink (1997), Foil-Counterfoil (1997), and Sieve (1995); Denis Smalley Sources/scénes (IMED 0054), with Base Metals (2000), Empty Vessels (1997), Tides (1984), and Pentes (1974). All three discs were produced in 2000.

Contact empreintes DIGITALes/DIFFUSION i MéDIA, 4580, avenue de Lorimier, Montreal, Quebec H2H 2B5, Canada; telephone (+1) 514-526-4096; fax (+1) 514-526-4487; electronic mail info@electrocd.com; World Wide Web www.electrocd.com/.

Linux Music Applications Collection

Mstation has collected a number of audio production and playback utilities for Linux. The CD-ROM is bundled with relevant libraries (pre-compiled in RPM format), including Mozilla M18, kernel source for 2.4.0 test 3, and kernel 2.2.17LL (low latency patched) in RPM format, and Xfree86 4.01-19k. It is compatible with RedHat 6.0, 6.1, 7.0, and Mandrake 7.2.

The applications collected on the disc include: Alsamixergui, Awesfx, Bladeenc, Broadcast 2000, Brainstorm, Ceres3, Clavier, DAP--Digital Audio Processor, EasyTAG, Ecasound, Freebirth, Grip, Icecast, Jazz, Ladspa-sdk, Libmikmod, Libsndfile, Mammut-linux, Mix2000, Mixmagic, Mpg123, MusiXTeX, Noteedit, Pmidi, Pmx, Rosegarden, Smurf, Snd, Soundtracker, sox, Spiral Synth, Sweep, TiMidity, TSE--the open source sequencer, Wmcdplay, XMMS, and Xphat.

The Mstation CD-ROM can be ordered for US$ 14.00. Contact Mstation, 5/52 Old Road Lee, London SE13 5SR, UK; World Wide Web mstation.org/appsCD.html.

Acoustic Communication, Second Edition, by Barry Truax

Barry Truax has updated his important 1984 text, Acoustic Communication (see Figure 1). This book takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of sound, and the 2001 edition includes an updated bibliography, discography, and, most significantly, the CD-ROM version of the author's Handbook for Acoustic Ecology (reviewed in Computer Music Journal, 25:1.

The book's 14 chapters are grouped in two parts. The first, Sound, Listening, and Soundscape, includes the following chapters: Acoustic Tradition and the Communicational Approach: Energy Transfer and Information Processing; The Listener; Voice and Soundmaking; Systems of Acoustic Communication: Speech, Music, and Soundscape; The Acoustic Community; Noise and the Urban Soundscape; and Acoustic Design. The second part, Electroacoustics--The Impact of Technology on Acoustic Communication comprises the following: Electroacoustic Communication: Breaking Constraints; Electrification: The New Soundscape; The Listener As Consumer; The Electroacoustic Media: Audio Mediation; The Acoustic Community as Market; Regaining Control: Electroacoustic Alternatives; and Electroacoustic Design.

As the author states in his updated Preface, the issues raised some two decades earlier remain relevant today: "How do we reinvigorate the listener's interaction with the environment through listening; how do we design our soundscapes on a functional, human scale; and how do we distinguish the net gain offered by technology from its hype and oppressive aspects?"

Acoustic Communication (ISBN 1-56750-537-6) is published by Ablex Publishing, 88 Post Road West, Westport, Connecticut 06881, USA; World Wide Web www.ablexbooks.com.

Emagic EMI 2|6 Multi-channel USB Audio Interface

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