Steinberg Unveils Nuendo

Pro Audio and Post Production Tool for SGI

September 26, 1997 -- Steinberg GmbH, the market leader of music software companies on both the Macintosh and Windows platforms, announces NUENDO, a new audio tool aimed at audio for film, video and interactive media markets. Steinberg and Silicon Graphics will provide a sneak preview of this product which breaks new ground in pro-audio and post production at the Audio Engineering Convention on September 26-29, 1997 in New York City. Steinberg NUENDO software and SGI system provide a complete post-production or professional audio workstation.

"Movie professionals all over the world use Silicon Graphics computers to create breathtaking animations and visual effects for movies." comments Manfred Ruerup, President of Steinberg GmbH. "Steinberg thought it was time for the advent of a professional audio post-production on the favored platform of movie professionals. We tried to inject some radical new concepts into audio post and fully exploit the speed and DSP power of the Silicon Graphics platform."

Kord Taylor, Audio Marketing Manager at Silicon Graphics said; "Steinberg is definitely steps ahead with their native processing capabilities. They have certainly struck gold in that all the great SGI "core" technologies developed through the years for various SGI markets can apply to the professional audio market. Multiple, fast processors and real-time operations have as many applications in audio as they do in 3D graphics for flight simulators."

Steinberg combines the acclaimed Virtual Studio Technology (VST) with its realtime effects, open Plug-In architecture and an unprecedented number of tracks of digital audio into an easy to use application which gives the sound designer everything to create as impressive audio tracks as his colleagues on the visual side of things.

Unique NUENDO Features Include:

Native DSP Processing:

This is a technique using the host computer CPU(s) for audio processing. No investments in dedicated DSP are required. Audio processing is performed entirely with floating point accuracy. This guarantees highest possible dynamics, and is not limited by a specific processor type that can limit resolution. The processing can be done in realtime or off-line using the VST engine and includes Plug-In processing.

Processing and I/O Scaleability:

NUENDO leverages the superior processor and audio I/O available on Silicon Graphics systems. For example, one can easily start with an Octane system with 1-processor and 8 channels of ADAT optical I/O and easily upgrade it by adding another processor and 24 more channels of I/O for a total of 32 channels of 24-bit ADAT optical I/O.

Open Cross Platform Plug-In Specification:

Steinberg offers the only cross platform, real-time audio Plug-In specification. The VST on Silicon Graphics Plug-In architecture will be supported by a wide range of Plug-In manufacturers.

Hi Resolution Audio and Resolution Independence:

Audio can be recorded, processed and played back at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz and 96kHz at 16, 20 or 24 bit.

Integrated Destructive Editing:

This allows for loops and processing that can be embedded into the audio file so it makes the exchange of data easier than with other systems.

Networked Interface:

NUENDO offers a truly unique capability by letting a user interact with the program's user interface on one system, while the application is actually running on a separate Silicon Graphics system. This allows for even more scaleability options.

In addition to these very unique features, NUENDO maintains an intuitive user interface that allows for all the common audio post operations. These include recording, editing, looping (for ADR, etc.), fades, buss routing, s/effects, time compression/expansion, automated mixing, synchronization support for all formats of SMPTE timecode and integrated digital video.

The program supports various remote controls for automating the mix using the remote without touching the computer. Motorized faders and assignable knobs as featured in hardware controllers can adjust volume, pan, mute, solo, all EQs and all effect sends.

For more information, visit their web site at www.nuendo.com and www.steinberg.net.