Headspace Introduces Beatnik Converter 1.0
for Windows
 January 1, 1998Headspace, Inc. is pleased to announce the release
of the Beatnik Converter, a Windows 95/NT application that converts MIDI and digital
audio files to RMF (Rich Music Format) for use with the Beatnik Web audio player
(or in Java 1.2.)
This software program is targeted primarily at Web page developers who want
to take advantage of RMF's exceptional sound quality, interactivity, and copyright
protection. Composers and musicians will also find this tool invaluable if they
need to publish their music on the Web.
With over two million Beatnik players downloaded in the past year, and Sun's
JDK 1.2 about to hit the Net, RMF is an increasingly attractive format for Web-based
music and sound effects. Beatnik is by far the most programmable audio player
on the Web, with extensive runtime controls that allow for rich, attention-grabbing
Web sites. Unlike many other audio players, no expensive server software is required.
Free online authoring documentation explains how to make interactive sound pages
for Netscape and Microsoft browsers, while Sun Microsystems has now fully integrated
the client player into the core of Java 1.2, meaning Web surfers will soon be
able to enjoy RMF without a plug-in.
RMF has also become the de facto sound standard for Internet set-top boxes
and appliances, and is currently shipping in products such as Microsoft WebTV
Plus and Oracle/NCI's set-top box.
The audio features of Beatnik Converter 1.0 include:
- File size compression--4:1 WAV and up to 5:1 MIDI
- Conversion of industry-standard WAV, MIDI, AU, SND, and Digidesign SDII files
- Consistent sound fidelity across multiple platforms (Mac/PC/Java/WebTV/NCI)
- 10 digital reverb types
- Volume setting and looping
- Batch file conversion for song catalogs
- MIDI patch substitution
- Copyright protection via tamper-proof encrypted 'watermark' including URLs
- Music Publishing templates
The Beatnik Converter 1.0 is available for purchase online at an introductory
price of only $34.95, and the demo version is free. Both are available for immediate
download at http://www.headspace.com/beatnik/?converter/index.html.
Apple Macintosh users can also find a MacOS conversion/editing tool at http://www.headspace.com/beatnik/?editor/index.html | 
