Opcode Announces Studio Vision Pro 3.5

September 26, 1997 -- Opcode Systems Inc. announces a major upgrade to Studio Vision Pro^TM, the highly-acclaimed multi-track audio and music sequencing software for Macintosh. Version 3.5 features Power Mac Native code, full support for Digidesign TDM bussing, unique new DSP features, and enhanced integration with Apple QuickTime^TM, for an upgrade cost of $129.95.

Studio Vision Pro 3.5 supports Digidesign's ProTools III PCI cards, including complete support for TDM bussing. Studio Vision's consoles now provide eight auxiliary busses and address line inserts, sends and SampleCell TDM. Version 3.5 increases the number of Audio Instruments from 16 to 64, providing up to 64 channels of I/O.

With version 3.5, Studio Vision becomes a powerhouse multimedia music tool. Studio Vision is the first sequencer to directly read and write QuickTime audio and Music (MIDI) files. Studio Vision now features an integrated QuickTime movie window. Using Sound Manager, users can now expect double the number of audio tracks with much tighter synchronization, due to Opcode's new SmartSync^TM technology.

The new version also supports OMS timing, which allows other OMS compatible applications to control Studio Vision Pro with frame accuracy. Studio Vision now reads and writes all major audio file types including WAV, au, AIFF and Sound Designer II. Multimedia producers can now use Adobe Premiere audio plug-ins within Studio Vision Pro.

Using formant-based DSP operators can shift pitches while retaining vocal timbral characteristics. The new formant shifting gives users the unique ability to work on polyphonic and multitimbral audio. Formant pitch shifting can be used with Opcode's patented MIDI-to-Audio^TM technology. Users can also shift timbres without changing pitch, making it possible to change the apparent gender of a singer from male to female. Studio Vision will also AudioMorf^TM, which renders futuristic resynthesis over time - this is a totally new DSP feature based on formant technology.

Summary of new features in Studio Vision Pro 3.5:

Power Mac Native code - for eight to 20 times faster processing on many DSP functions
Adobe Plug-in support - for on-board DSP processing, 3rd party compatibility
Enhanced Sound Manager Support - for native audio recording/editing; doubling current number of available tracks to eight minimum and expected playback of up to 32 tracks on new multi-hundred MHz Macintosh computers and clones
Integrated support for Apple QuickTime - read and write QuickTime audio and Music (MIDI) files into a QuickTime movie, plus a new integrated QuickTime movie window
Full support for Digidesign TDM bussing - eight busses for line inserts and sends, SampleCell TDM and up to 64 audio instruments
AudioMorf - futuristic resynthesis over time
Formant-based DSP technology - retains vocal timbral characteristics in polyphonic and multitimbral audio when pitch shifting, including Opcode's patented MIDI-to-Audio technology
Vertical Zoom in Track Overview

"Most QuickTime movies were like watching TV with the sound turned down," notes Timothy Self, Opcode's Director of Product Marketing. "However, QuickTime's music architecture (MIDI) offers the flexibility and compression needed to add the punch of music to multimedia. Studio Vision Pro 3.5 now unlocks those previously untapped capabilities of QuickTime. Its superior musical environment makes Studio Vision Pro the perfect mate for any multimedia application."

Studio Vision Pro was the original integrated digital audio and MIDI sequencing software. It allows any live instrument (vocals, guitars, saxophone etc.) to be recorded directly into the Macintosh along with MIDI sequences. Studio Vision Pro allows users to non-destructively edit up to 64 digital audio and MIDI tracks. Studio Vision Pro includes MIDI Machine Control (MMC) capabilities, SMPTE synchronization, and fully automated mixing of digital audio and MIDI tracks. It has an MSRP of $995.

For more information on Opcode's Studio Vision Pro 3.5, visit Opcode during the Audio Engineering Society Exhibition (AES), Digidesign Third-Party Developer Booth #700, write Opcode Systems, 3950 Fabian Way, Suite 100, Palo Alto, CA 94303; call (650) 856-3333; fax (650) 856-0777; or visit the web at http://www.opcode.com.