CreamWare Presents Pulsar XTC at MusikMessePerformance and Sound Upgrade for VST-compatible Recording-Systems March 12, 2001
At the Musikmesse 2001 in Frankfurt, CreamWare unveiled Pulsar XTC, a new
type of audio DSP system featuring full integration with VST-compatible
software under Windows and MacOS.
Pulsar XTC expands the recording system with the additional computing power
of six 32-bit SHARC DSPs and an extensive software package containing
top-class effects and virtual instruments. XTC plug-ins are used in exactly
the same way as VST effects and VST instruments, but unlike native
plug-ins, utilize none of the host computer's processing power. Therefore,
the user does not need to adopt new methods in order to work with them. The
only noticeable difference is that the system suddenly has a much greater
capacity for the realization of musical ideas.
The XTC effects plug-ins come from the high-end SCOPE /SP system. The user
thus obtains more than 30 new DSP effects. The level of computing
performance achieved by the XTC hardware permits the use of compromise-free
32-bit effects algorithms, guaranteeing professional sound quality. In
addition to a collection of dynamics processors and modulation effects, the
effects library also includes the new MasterVerb, eight separate instances
of which can be loaded at one time. Since XTC effects comply with the VST
2.0 specification, they can be automated directly within the recording
software.
Pulsar XTC also includes an assortment of extraordinary virtual
instruments. The package contains powerful analog synthesizers, which until
now have been available only with the Pulsar and SCOPE /SP DSP systems -
such as the U KNOW 007, the Miniscope and the Inferno. In addition, there
is the new Vectron Player, an instrument with sounds based upon refined
vector synthesis.
The new VolkszSmpler is also included. Thus, the XTC software package also
boasts a full-fledged sampler. In the form of a VST instrument, it offers a
multitude of highly professional features: sampling at up to 96 kHz, with
up to 32-bit precision; compatibility with Akai S1000 and S3000, Soundfont
2, WAV and AIFF formats; sample-precise timing during sequence playback;
extensive editing options, including a deluxe graphical sample editor;
resonant filters and a versatile modulation matrix.
Pulsar XTC is based on CreamWare's SCOPE technology. Thus, along with the
included instruments and effects, Pulsar XTC gives the user access to
dozens of additional plug-ins which have been developed for the
Pulsar/SCOPE platform.
The Pulsar XTC PCI-card can optionally be expanded with audio inputs and
outputs, so that no additional sound card is required. Four options are
available, each of which features anywhere from 20 to 28 I/Os and 24-bit /
96 kHz support. Furthermore, the processing power is freely scalable via
the addition of further DSP cards to the system.
Pulsar XTC is the ideal sound and performance upgrade for any
VST-compatible recording program. And an upgrade to Pulsar II with its
additional features, such as unrestricted and latency-free signal routing
and "live" mixing functionality, is possible at any time.
Pulsar XTC is expected to be available in April 2001 at a recommended sales
price of 999 US$ for Mac and PC. For more information, visit their web site at www.creamware.com. | 
