TC Work's Spark for MacOS Now Shipping

July 23, 1999

Spark! Browser Window
(Click for a larger image)

Spark! Master Window
(Click for a larger image)

TC WORKS is now shipping Spark!, an all new Digital Audio Mastering Editor for MacOS. Spark represents a new approach to stereo-based audio editing, real-time processing and mastering featuring a unique Browser window, integrating Wave editing, project file management and play list all at once. Retail price - $499.

The Browser View is used to edit a file, or build a play list, the Master View gives you Master Faders with highly accurate PPM level meters, phase correlation meter and built-in Dithering and a realtime "FXmachine" with extensive routing capabilities. Up to 4 stereo streams with 5 Plug-Ins each can be routed and processed simultaneously. SPARK also includes TC Native CL, a VST-compatible single band Compressor and Limiter Plug-In, optimized for demanding mastering tasks. A histogram display visualizes the "level distribution" in your recording, for valuable feedback about the signal processing being applied, thus simplifying finding the right settings.

Spark's Time Stretch processing can be performed in realtime, without affecting the pitch, and even accessible from the Play List, so the same take can be played at different speeds easily. Spark's realtime engine bus works with 32-bit floating point precision, with even higher precision in the signal processing parts, and supports files up to 24 Bit and 96 kHz resolution. AIFF, QuickTime, SoundDesigner (SD2) and WAV files are also supported. Other features include an info line for seeing sample rate, bit depth, zoom factor and time correction - a tool box for monitoring, scrubbing, drawing and editing a waveform on the sample level - the processing functions include normalize, reverse, fade, crossfade, time stretch, pitch correction and a whole host more.

Spark 1. 0 also includes sampler support for all the major samplers from Akai and E-mu to Kurzweil, Roland and Yamaha. Additionally, more Plug-Ins, for a total of 11! SPARK will include a Reverb, 1 Band EQ, 3 Band EQ, FuzzSat (harmonic distortion), Delay, Modulated Filter, Cut Filter, Expander/Gate and of course the previously mentioned TC NATIVE CL Compressor/Limiter for mastering. All Plug-Ins are VST compatible and can be used in any application supporting VST!

And now there are more good news: CD-Burning facilities are also included by bundling Adaptec's CD-ROM Toast Pro application! This will allow users to burn CDs by exporting their SPARK Play List into Toast without requiring any optional software. Additionally, the user can export the SPARK Play List also into an Adaptec Jam compatible image file, including all the enhanced CD-audio features Jam has to offer. Jam needs to be purchased separately. (In Europe this application is now distributed by Steinberg).

SPARK SPECIFICATIONS

Recording and Playback of 24 Bit/96 kHz files supported*
AIFF, QuickTime, SoundDesigner (SD2) and WAV File support
VST-Plug-In support
Keyboard commands for all important functions like Transport Controls etc.
Savable Window sets
Browser View
Project File Database, Wave editor and Play List at one glance
Customizable view: freely movable section borders
Drag&Drop between File View and Play List

Wave Editor

Markers (with "On-the-fly creation, even during record)
Off-line Processing: Normalize, Change Gain, Reverse, Sample-Rate and
Bit Depth conversion, Fades and Crossfades
Realtime Time Stretch and Pitch Correction
Drag and drop of selections to the desktop supported: Instant files!
Info Line with all important wave parameters at one glance

Transport Window

All relevant Transport controls
Jog-Shuttle with instant access to scrubbing and Time Stretch
Master Section & FXmachine - Extremely flexible FX-routing
Up to 4 parallel streams with independent processing each
Up to 20 (4x5) Realtime Plug-Ins at any one time
Macro Preset Manager for FX matrix
Integrated Dither (22,20,18,16 and 8 Bit correlated or uncorrelated)
PPM Meters with high resolution
Phase Correlation Meter
Integrated CPU and HD Performance Meters
Context sensitive menus for direct parameter access
Plug-In editor window always views selected Plug-In (multiple views too)
Info-line for selected Plug-In with name and status

Native CL

TC-Quality Compressor/Limiter
Soft/Hard Knee switch
Separate Auto Make-Up Gain stages for Compressor and Limiter
Level histogram
Low performance requirements
Compatible with any VST-supporting application: may be used independent of SPARK

*= recording and output playback rate hardware dependent. Internal playback rate hardware independent thanks to realtime resampling.

For more information, visit their web site at http://www.tcworks.de/.

Recent TC Works headlines

TC Releases Minor Update to Spark XL (2003-09-10)
TC Tools Ready for Pro Tools HD (2003-06-02)
AudioUnit Support Added to Spark XL (2003-05-08)
TC Now Shipping Assimilator for PowerCore (2003-01-17)
Spark XL 2.7 Now Shipping (2003-01-16)
NAMM: TC PowerCore Comes to Mac OS X (2003-01-16)
New Plug-In Added to TC PowerCore (2002-12-01)
TC Works Debuts Assimilator for PowerCore (2002-10-07)
ClassicVerb for TC PowerCore Ships October 10 (2002-10-06)
TC Native Bundle 3.0 Adds Two New Plug-Ins (2002-09-12)