Obsidian Software Merges with Fxpansion, New Products Available
December 2, 2000Obsidian Software, a 3rd party developer for CreamWare’s Pulsar platform has merged with FXpansion Audio. This merger was the logical conclusion to an 8-month long development programme by Obsidian Software, commissioned by FXpansion to port the Series One plug-in bundle to the Pulsar/Scope range of audio cards.
This merger represents a ‘best of both worlds’ deal to both Obsidian and FXpansion; Obsidian’s DSP hardware experience will act as a bridge to enable the availability of FXpansion algorithms on DSP-powered platforms such as Digidesign’s TDM system and Soundscape Digital’s Mixtreme / Mixpander series.
To coincide with the merger, 4 new Pulsar/Scope packs have been released:- Fxpansion Series One Bundle – the Pulsar port of FXpansion’s renowned native plugin suite; Obsidian Psycho-Acoustix, featuring Ultracoder, Resonator, and eXpander; Obsidian AnaFX – a digital emulation of tape-based Chorus, Phaser and Flanger effects; and finally Obsidian Pulsar PowerUP which comprises the entire back-catalog of Obsidian’s Pulsar devices in one bundle including Tubulator3, VelociTrigger2 and Sound2MIDI. All four packs are also available in a single collection, the Pulsar Ultra Bundle.
In recognition of the support and loyalty of both companies’ existing customers, FXpansion are offering upgrade packages to both sets of existing customers. FXpansion customers are to receive a 50% discount on upgrades from the native Series One Bundle to the Pulsar version, and a $50 rebate on purchases of the Ultra Bundle.
Obsidian Customers are also to receive a $50 discount on upgrades from any existing Obsidian Pulsar device to Ultra Bundle, and a $30 discount on upgrades to PowerUP. Customers of both firms receive a $100 discount on Ultra Bundle.
A referral program has also been put into place for new and existing customers, whereby any individual who refers six new customers to FXpansion Audio may claim one free software pack up to the value of $150.
As for the future, all new devices will be published under the FXpansion Audio brandname and steps are already being taken into new DSP arenas alongside the development of Series One and its forthcoming siblings. The merger will act as a stepping stone towards further growth, including the possible creation of a dedicated research and development division. For more information, visit their web site at www.fxpansion.com. | 
