Opcode Introduces Seven New USB Hardware Products
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| DATport
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SONICport
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SONICport Optical
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MIDIport 32 |
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MIDIport 64
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MIDIport 128
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STUDIOport AMX
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| USB Interface Pricing |
| DATport |
US SRP $249.95 |
| SONICport |
US SRP $299.95 |
| SONICport Optical |
US SRP $299.95 |
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| MIDIport 32 |
US SRP $ TBD |
| MIDIport 64 |
US SRP $ TBD |
| MIDIport 128 |
US SRP $ TBD |
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| STUDIOport AMX |
US SRP $ TBD |
January 28, 1999
Opcode Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Gibson
Musical Instruments, today introduced seven brand new USB hardware products
for audio and MIDI, including the DATport™ series and MIDIport series,
and the audio and MIDI hybrid STUDIOport™
Opcode has just released the DATport™, a USB audio interface for Mac and
Windows (drivers available now for Windows 98 and due from Apple in early Spring).
The DATport has 2 channels of RCA coaxial S/PDIF for transferring digital audio
to and from the computer. It supports both 16 and 24-bit audio at 44.1 and 48K.
The suggested US retail price is $249.95. Street price is expected to be under
$200.
"Our new USB products deliver the holy grail of quality and ease of use
for music and computers. Musicians get 24-bit audio and ultra-fast, millisecond
MIDI timing-all on one cable that installs effortlessly. We've removed the notorius
technology barrier from the computer music creation process. Installing sound
cards is a nightmare compared to the simplicity of hooking up one of our USB
devices," states Tom Sherman, Opcode's VP of Development. "We worked
extra hard to make our USB products as foolproof and reliable as possible. For
example, we shipped DATport only after helping to solve the Windows 98 USB audio
glitch problem. We're ecstatic about the power and simplicity these new products
offer both Mac and Windows users."
Shipping soon are two other DATport type interfaces. The SONICport at
$299.95 has the same specs as the DATport, plus mini-phone analog inputs and
outputs with high quality 20-bit DACs. The second is the SONICport Optical™,
also at $299.95. It sports 2 channels of Toslink S/PDIF, plus mini-phone analog
I/O. Each unit should have a street price under $240.
Opcode's new MIDIport™ series of interfaces 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 has the built-in networking capability of USB, and is 300 times faster
than the MIDI spec. Opcode's new OMS takes advantage of this speed to offer
rock-solid MIDI timing. Suggested retail pricing is currently being set for
the MIDIport series; Opcode plans to have a product at every consumer price
point, from hobbiest to professional.
Shipping soon is Opcode's first USB MIDI interface the MIDIport 32™ for
both Mac and Windows. The interface works with any OMS compatible Mac software
or Windows 98 compatible MIDI software and has two MIDI ins and two MIDI outs
for a total of 32 MIDI channels.
Coming soon are the MIDIport 64™ and MIDIport 128™, cross-platform
single space rackmount interfaces with 64 channels and 128 channels respectively.
Both also have Opcode's renown, rock-solid SMPTE to MTC conversion (all formats)
and a unique "Auto-MIDI-Thru" capability for use without the computer.
Using both powerful audio and MIDI capabilities of the new DATport and MIDIport
series, the revolutionary STUDIOport™ AMX combines both into a single space
rackmount unit. Connect a single USB cable from the STUDIOport AMX and your
computer is ready for audio and MIDI instantly.
The STUDIOport has 2 channels of analog inputs using 1/4'' balanced TRS (tip
ring sleeve) with attenuation pots, and audio status and clipping LEDs on the
front panel. On the back there are 4 channels of 1/4" balanced TRS analog
outputs, plus digital S/PDIF I/O. On the MIDI side there are 64 channels of
MIDI with 4 ins and 4 outs. The STUDIOport also has SMPTE to MTC conversion
(all formats) and Opcode's "Auto-MIDI-Thru" capability.
Opcode has recently released version 4.2 of their professional sequencers Vision
DSP and Studio Vision Pro. The upgrades have several new features that allow
real-time effects and compatibility with a wide range of audio hardware.
MIDIport, DATport, STUDIOport, SONICport are trademarks of Opcode Systems,
Inc.. All other trademarks are property of their respective holders. For more information, visit Opcode's web site at www.opcode.com. | 
