Opcode Updates Software for Macs w/o Floppy
DrivesNew versions of Vision DSP and Studio Vision
Pro are being released, allowing musicians to use iMac and new G3 for music. OMS
update and other Opcode apps and to follow. March 16, 1999Opcode Systems today announced that new versions
of Vision DSP and Studio Vision Pro are being released allowing musicians to
use the iMac and the new G3 for music. Complete compatibility will be achieved
using PACE Software's proven "Challenge/ Response", a new version
of OMS, and new USB MIDI and audio interfaces from Opcode. Other Opcode music
applications including Galaxy Plus Editors and MAX are planned to follow soon.
The new iMac and G3 computers lack two important features of earlier models:
a floppy disk drive, needed for copy protection of high-end music software,
and serial ports, used to connect MIDI and synchronization interfaces. The new
computers do have the new industry standard USB (Universal Serial Bus) however,
and Opcode is leading the music industry with seven new USB audio and MIDI hardware
releases over the next few months.
"The new Macs are so powerful and affordable, musicians are anxious to
use them for their music projects!" says Jonnie Gillham, Opcode's Software
Products Manager. "The copy protection solution ships first, then we'll
follow it with a whole family of USB MIDI and audio devices. Musicians will
then have the most integrated music production system ever made."
The new versions of Opcode's software will function for 30 days without the
need for copy protection, then the user will contact Opcode or the international
distributor to obtain a special code to authorize the hard disk for use. Opcode
will be using PACE Software's "Challenge / Response" system for users
who don't have a floppy drive. This essentially is a system of creating a personalized
serial number and matching key number from each specific hard disk. Opcode has
been successfully using this system for several years in its software testing
process. The first releases of these are Vision DSP 4.2.1 and Studio Vision
Pro 4.2.1. If a user buys a USB floppy drive they can use the same floppy-based
disk authorization that Opcode has been using.
To adapt for the absence of serial ports on the new Macs, Opcode is introducing
the MIDIport(TM) series of interfaces to connect computers to the world of MIDI
through USB. A new version of Opcode's Open Music System (OMS) allows any OMS
compatible software to use the new MIDIport series on a Mac. (The MIDI port
series also works with all Windows 98 compatible MIDI software.) The MIDIport
series takes advantage of USB, which is hundreds of times faster than the MIDI
spec, and offers rock-solid MIDI timing.
Opcode has also announced the DATport,
SONICport and SONICport Optical USB audio devices and the hybrid STUDIOport
AMX(TM) that has both audio and MIDI capabilities. Apple compatibility for
USB audio is due in Spring 1999. For more information, visit Opcode at http://www.opcode.com/ | 
