Res Rocket Announces Availability of Rocket Network API and SDK

The Rocket Network API allows audio application developers to add "RocketPower" to their products, giving audio professionals the ability to collaborate in real-time over the Internet

January 28, 1999 -- Res Rocket, Inc. today announced pre-release availability of the Rocket Network API and SDK. The Rocket Network API will allow music and digital audio application developers to add "RocketPower™" to their products, giving end-users anywhere in the world the ability to work together on the same recording over the Internet creating professional-quality recordings. In addition, developers will be able to resell virtual studio space to their customer communities, by purchasing wholesale private studio space on the Rocket Network.

Steinberg Soft-und Hardware, GmbH is the first developer to add RocketPower to their application. At this show Steinberg and Res Rocket will demonstrate Cubase VST with RocketPower. "Res Rocket selected Steinberg to work with first because of their proven visionary approach to audio software design," said Willy Henshall Founder and CEO of Res Rocket. Several other leading audio software developers are announcing their plans to support the Rocket Network API here at NAMM including: Emagic, Sonic Foundry, MixMan, and QDesign. Many other companies are expected to announce support for the new standard in the next few months.

"We are looking forward to helping software developers incorporate the Rocket Network API into their products. We want as many applications to communicate via the Rocket Network API as possible, extending the reach of this new important industry standard," stated Willy Henshall, CEO of Res Rocket, Inc.

"We believe that the Rocket Network will change how music is composed, enabling far greater creative freedom and a vast increase in the number of professional quality recordings," said Charlie Steinberg, Founder of Steinberg.

RocketControl 2.0, the second version of the Res Rocket client software (formerly called DRGN) will be available by summer of 1999. This release will allow users to access the Rocket Network from any application that has RocketPower. Key new features include:

Cross-application, cross-platform: Users can access public and private virtual studios and collaborate from ANY application that has RocketPower on Mac or PC.
Digital Audio: Digital audio support will be added to our current MIDI support.
CODEC Support: RocketControl 2.0 will incorporate several choices of compression CODECs, including MP3 and the QDesign Music Codec (QDMC), to effectively share digital audio files in real-time.
Online, secure storage: Private virtual studio users will have access to online, secure storage for work-in-progress or finished projects.
Access control: Unlike free public virtual studios, private studio owners maintain complete control over participants in a recording session. Private virtual studios will be available on all web sites that purchase the Rocket Network service. Other sites offering Rocket Network services are expected to be announced over the next few months.

With the release of RocketControl 2.0 anyone who has a web site will be able to purchase the Rocket Network Service for their site. The Rocket Network Service will host virtual studios and remote file storage for organizations seeking to build and/or serve a community of audio professionals or enthusiasts. This service is ideally suited for Web production firms, music and digital audio software developers, recording studios, audio and film post production houses, and broadcasters. A future release of the Rocket Network system will allow service users to license and manage their own internal Rocket Network server.

Rocket Network, a division of Res Rocket, Inc., is the worldwide leader in Internet audio collaboration. Its software enables audio professionals to create, edit, play, and record music with other musicians anywhere in the world.

For additional information on the Rocket Network API and RocketControl 2.0 please visit www.rocketnetwork.com.