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127th AES Convention Coverage (New York, NY Oct. 9-12)
PRESS RELEASE
M-Audio Takes 7.1 Surround to USB
January 01, 2003
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M-Audio announced Sonica Theater, the easy-to-use, portable audio card for desktops or laptops. Sonica Theater provides 7.1 surround sound output, crystal-clear audio quality, and high-resolution 24-bit/96kHz audio playback and recording. Sonica Theater plays the audio tracks of DVDs and music in surround sound, makes games more realistic, and can be used to record or mix music. 7.1 surround sound output and high-resolution 24-bit/96kHz fidelity ensure that audio is Sonica Theater packs advanced technology into a small, light, bus-powered, external package that's simple to connect and use. Installation of Sonica Theater is as simple as plugging in a single USB cable. Advanced features like speaker setup software and professional bass management insure that speakers are connected properly and configured for optimum performance and audio quality. With its high signal-to-noise ratio of 101dB, Sonica Theater provides clean audio with little noise. The product's low distortion (THD) rating also insures that audio will sound the way it was meant to. Sonica Theater features Dolby Digital EX decoding with the included WinDVD 4 DVD player, allowing analog output of true multi-channel audio and turning the computer into a home theater component. Sonica Theater also features Dolby Digital and DTS passthrough on its digital output. Sonica Theater supports other multi-channel formats, such as Microsoft's Windows Media Audio 9 Professional and SRS Labs' Circle Surround II, allowing the user to play streaming multi-channel audio off the Internet. Full support for Microsoft Windows Media Audio 9 Professional is a first for a laptop-compatible sound card. With Windows Media Audio 9, Sonica delivers discrete multi-channel audio over the Internet today. With Windows Media Audio 9 Professional and Sonica Theater, desktop or laptop users can enjoy high-resolution surround sound streamed live or on demand from the Internet. Built-in SRS Circle Surround II technology instantly transforms CDs or MP3s into surround sound. It dynamically separates instruments, vocals, and even crowd noises for an experience. "Sonica Theater is the first consumer USB audio card to offer the same high-quality Circle Surround II technology found in many home theater receivers around the world" said Ted Franceschi, Executive Vice President, Marketing and Sales. "SRS Labs is excited to partner with M-Audio in providing laptop and desktop users the ultimate surround sound experience over a computer." Those without a 5.1 or 7.1 speaker system can still enjoy results from Sonica Theater, thanks to built-in SRS TruSurround XT technology. This powerful virtual surround sound process delivers the multi-channel audio experience over standard stereo speakers or even headphones. TruSurround XT enables two-channel listening that brings home what the filmmakers intended to be heard, even if additional speakers are not present. Sonica Theater includes over $200 of high-quality bundled software with full versions of Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3, MixMan Studio, Vjay Lite, and the Dolby Digital EX version of WinDVD 4. Also included are award-winning music creation programs with over 100 sounds and loops as well as a free sampler CD of music from M-Powered artists who use M-Audio products. Sonica Theater is due to ship this month, and will be distributed in major retail stores throughout North America, and will soon be available in Japan and Europe. Estimated street price is $99.99. For more information, visit their web site at http://www.midiman.net/.Recent Midiman headlines
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