Element 64 Joins Rain Recording's Workstation Lineup
 October 26, 2005
Rain Recording has announced
the Element 64, a 64-bit workstation designed for professional audio
production. The Element 64 features an Intel Pentium D Dual-Core Processor
with an option for the Intel Pentium Extreme Edition, which offers
dual-core processing with Hyper-Threading technology to effectively achieve
the performance of four processors.
The Element 64 ships with 2GB of RAM, which is currently expandable to 8GB.
The Element 64's architecture is capable of addressing one terabyte (1024
GB) of RAM, which will be realized as larger RAM chips become available,
allowing even the largest of sample libraries to run on a single computer.
Native 64-bit functionality allows RAM drive partitioning, enabling audio
recording to and from static RAM, nearly instant file opening and saving,
remarkable performance when working with loop-based audio, and reduced
latency when playing virtual instruments and monitoring a recording.
The Element 64 features a 250GB ultra 150 SATA system drive with an 8MB
buffer. For audio file storage, 8 SATA ports allow the option of up to 3.2
terabytes of hard drive storage in dual sets of Raid 0. This represents a
four-fold increase in hard drive space and a two-fold increase in hard drive
throughput compared with the 32-bit Element. There are 8 USB 2.0 ports and 6
FireWire ports. The FireWire ports are divided between two separate
chipsets, and two of the ports are convertible between 400 and 800 megabits
for compatibility with virtually any FireWire device available.
Along with Rain's design philosophy using balanced, low
power-consuming components, the Element 64 features a lightweight aluminum
chassis with cooling properties for extremely quiet, cool, and
stable operation. The optional aluminum RAK adapter makes the Element
easily rack-mountable while still allowing lid removal.
The 64-bit CPU has twice the number of registers as the current 32-bit
Element processor, and the registers are also wider. Since CPU registers
offer the fastest access to data-more so than cache, RAM, or hard disk-the
increased capacity and performance of these registers provides a major
breakthrough in overall system performance. Floating point computation and
parallel processing power are also greatly optimized, allowing audio
software programs to achieve unrivaled sonic accuracy and dynamic range,
especially in larger mixes.
The Element 64 is available with a choice of operating systems: Windows XP
Professional x64 Edition or Windows XP Professional 32-bit. Rain will offer
the ability for XP 32-bit users to cross-grade to the x64 platform via
remote activation by a Rain technician. A dual-boot option is also
available. XP-32 runs upwards of 30% faster on an Element 64 versus a 32-bit
Element due to the cumulative hardware speed improvements in processing,
memory, and storage; the x64 OS , having full addressing capabilities with
memory and registers, offers up to a 60% improvement in usable performance.
Element 64 specifications:
- Intel Pentium D Dual-Core Processor 820 LGA775 2MB L2 2.8GHz 800MHz FSB (Optional Pentium D Extreme Dual-Core with Hyper-Threading)
- Intel 955 XBKLKR MB with integrated 1394 FireWire, audio, and 10/100/1000 LAN
- 2 Gigabyte 667Mhz matched pair DDR RAM
- 250GB Ultra 150 SATA hard drive with 8MB buffer
- Option of up to 3.2 terabytes of hard drive storage via 8 SATA hard drives
- Dual layer DVD-RW / CD-RW combo optical drive, 1.44MB floppy drive
- 8 USB 2.0 ports (6 external / 2 internal)
- 6 FireWire ports (3 x 3 independent IEEE 1394a and IEEE 1394b 400/800)
- Dual PCI express video ports (1-VGA, 1-DVI) (3 and 4-port video optional)
- Intel High-Definition Audio with WDM drivers
- Microsoft Windows XP Professional (x64 and/or 32-bit)
- Silent 300 watt power supply
- Intel Precision Cooling Technology
- Zalman CNPS (Computer Noise Prevention System)
- 100% aluminum alloy tower chassis
- Premium USB keyboard and mouse
- SONAR LE, NERO 6 CD/DVD Creator, RainRestore
- Dimensions: 21.25 x 7.8 x 18 inches / 540 x 198 x 458 mm (L x W x H)
- Weight: 38 lbs. / 17.75 kg
The Element 64 is now shipping with configurations starting at $3499 MSRP.
For more information, visit their web site at www.rainrecording.com. |
