Spirit's Digital 328 V2.0: Upgrade Your Entire Studio
 |
Digital 328
(Click for a close-up) |
September 19, 2000 Spirit has announced a major upgrade for the Digital 328, adding many new and enhanced features to the
ground-breaking digital console. The 328’s dynamic automation is now compatible with a wider range of sequencers, while changes and
additions to the user interface make for even easier operation.
John Hourihane, product manager for Digital 328, is delighted with the new software, as he explains, "Developing the operating system of the
Digital 328 recording console has been on the top of our list of priorities. We knew from the initial response that we had an industry standard
in the making for a small format digital console at a price which made it available to the masses. The new V2 operating system has been
optimized and improved way beyond our own expectations".
The 328’s dynamic Automation is now implemented using MIDI Continuous Controllers, allowing users to record, overdub, and complete
complex editing tasks using any MIDI Sequencing package.
AES/EBU and S/PDIF digital outputs can now be used to send audio from the Control Room Outputs, or from the Group Outputs (in stereo
pairs).
In MIDI Controller mode, all 16 faders, 16 encoders and 32 switches can be used to drive external devices, each control individually
assignable to its own MIDI Channel and Continuous Controller. Another significant change is that communication in MIDI Controller mode is
now bi-directional. All data dumps can be requested via SysEx to allow third-party applications to act as librarians.
In addition to the wide range of named devices for which the 328 provides dedicated support, version 2.0 software adds Soundscape
hardware including the SSHDR, R.Ed, and Mixtreme systems. The mixer in Steinberg Cubase VST 5.0 application can also be controlled
from the 328, and the new Custom Tape Machine mode can be configured to use MMC, Note On, MTC, and LTC in both Master and Slave
modes – another feature which leaves the competition behind.
Changes to the user interface have been designed to make desk operation faster, more efficient and more intuitive. A new Select Follows Solo
mode means that a channel is automatically assigned to the E-strip when its SOLO button is pressed. Another improvement is that when
switching between the banks of channels (Mic/Line and Digital), the SELECT button will automatically be reset to the last channel used in that
bank. In the new Solo Auto-Cancel mode, consecutive SOLOs will be cancelled and replaced by the newly activated SOLO. Also, a
Wordclock search feature has been added to ease configuration of any complex systems.
Finally, System Exclusive control of MIDI data dumps is now available, allowing third-party manufacturers to request data dumps from the
328.
"The improvements are outstanding," continues John Hourihane, "Users can now enjoy automation recording, overdubbing, and editing
features previously only found on consoles ten times the price of the Digital 328. The automation data can now be manipulated by all major
sequencing software including Steinberg Cubase VST, Emagic Logic Audio, MOTU Digital Performer, and many others.
"Other areas of development are the MIDI Controller mode, and general software enhancements. The bi-directional communication of the
MIDI controller mode inside the 328 now brings a different level of control to software-based recording, editing and synthesis applications
such as Digidesign ProTools, Soundscape systems and a large number of software synthesises. A limitation of these software packages is the
lack of a real, tactile control to give a physical response, making the process involved far more creative. The power of these applications can
now be released, and by using the surface of our groundbreaking recording console, this really is an improvement to your total studio
environment.
"There is no charge for this new software version. We have delivered an upgrade that will change the way users work forever, for free." For more information, visit their web site at www.spiritbysoundcraft.com. | 
