at the same price and adds many new features, including more simultaneous outputs (22), 192kHz operation, 8-bus monitor mixing and stand-alone operation. The 896HD provides 8 channels of 24-bit analog I/O, 8 channels of ADAT optical digital I/O, 8 built-in mic pre-amps, 96kHz AES/EBU digital I/O with sample rate conversion, word clock sync, and sample-accurate ADAT SYNC. The 896HD also adds two additional separate main outputs (on XLRs), plus separately accessed front-panel headphone output. The $1,300 interface includes s AudioDesk, its sample-accurate workstation software for Mac OS with 24-bit recording/editing and 32-bit automated mixing/processing/mastering.



MOTU last week also demonstrated its MX4, a new virtual instrument plug-in for MOTU DP4 (MAS), Pro Tools (RTAS) and other Mac OS X audio hosts (Audio Units). MX4 features a unique, hybrid synthesis engine that combines several forms of synthesis, including subtractive, wavetable, frequency modulation (FM), amplitude modulation (AM) and analog emulation: "MX4's flexible programming and advanced modulation architecture provide the intimacy of a vintage synth, the flexibility of a modular synth, and the innovation of a virtual synth." As a plug-in, MX4 provides unlimited voices, polyphony and instantiations as well as sample-accurate Playback, 32-bit internal resolution, and support for sample rates up to 192kHz. MX4 is expected to ship in Q4, 2003 for $300.



MOTU also announced that Digital Performer 4.1 fully supports
Digidesign's Pro Tools HD Accel. The free update takes full advantage of Pro
Tools HD Accel's increased maximum track and voice count. In addition, DP
4.1 users can run new Accel-compatible plug-ins such as Impact, Digidesign's new Console-style Mix Bus Compression Plug-in.

by MacNN Staff