© 1999-2001 Computer ConText Amsterdam, except for contributions made by others.
© Java-applet: Chris Cobb
During the Cebit Terratec announced a promising new card, the AudioSystem
EWS96 M. Before you start dancing on the table we have to damp your enthusiasm:
It has not been released yet. We expect that it will be in the shops in july
2001 at the earliest, so you all have to be patient (as always ;-). And to
be clear: it is not a replacement for your good old EWS64XL. It's a
PCI Audio Mastering Card with quite some impressive features, a kind of bigger
brother of the EWX24/96.
We have the impression that in it's high-end product range Terratec dropped
the concept of soundcards in the traditional sense: no synthesizer on board,
no sampling capabilities. That's understandable, as with increasing computer
power software synths and samplers are becoming more popular. So they turned
into the road of audio mastering and saw more good in providing the users
with high quality inputs and outputs for their computer systems.
Considering the new approach in drivers and user interface that Terratec introduced
with the EWS88MT, we are confident that installation and ease of use will
be a lot less frustrating than with the EWSXL.
In anticipation we will give you a sneak preview of the card, based on the
press information from Terratec. We don't have pictures yet, so you will have
to do with the specs.
TerraTec´s
EWS96 M brings mastering to your PC: The consequent further development of the
successful EWS series emphasizes its high-performance 2-channel recording and
replay and makes this PCI system with well thought-out special features an ideal
tool for your professional applications.
Process your audio data using 2 continuous, balanced designed inputs and outputs
with up to 24-bit and 96kHz resolution. Modern reference converter technology
ensures genuine 120 dB** signal-to-noise ratio. As of now, you can merely imagine
noise but not hear it. For the optimum adjustment of various levels a free choice
can be made between -10 dBv and +4 dBu, while a 16 dB headroom can be switched
on.
In addition to the analogue stereo input and output, a 24-bit/96 kHz digital
input and output (coaxial) is available for all usual formats. This is naturally
provided without any sampling-rate conversion and thus lets you make bit-true
recordings. And DTS or AC3 streams can also be transferred in the so-called
non-audio mode through the EWS digital Out from a software DVD player, e.g.
to an external Dolby Digital receiver. Furthermore, the digital input on the
EWS96 M can be reconfigured so that an audio digital output (TTL) of an internal
CD-ROM drive can be connected.
And as if this were insufficient, the extension facilities will not just fascinate
loyal EWS fans. Thus, for example, all modules for the good old EWS64 series
can be connected to the new PCI card and offer digital inputs and outputs, among
other features. Now the microWAVE PC, developed in cooperation with the German
synthesizer maker Waldorf, can now be connected to a PCI system. The media Xtension
R (MXR) is a newly developed module for connection to the PC rear and expands
the EWS96 M as you wish with multimedia features such as optical digital I/Os
(S/PDIF, AC3, DTS), line I/Os 2 (!) separate MIDI interfaces and a standard
soundcard microphone input (no phantom power).
Cascading EWS systems with each other is also possible. Where necessary, the
number and type of the simultaneously available connection facilities can be
suited to almost every special application using further EWS systems with the
EWS-Connect* connector. Sample-true synchronization of all cards with each other
is ensured using the EWS-Connect* connector, while there is a possibility of
integrating digital equipment via Word- or SuperClock using the EWS-Clockwork
module which is also available from TerraTec.
The AudioSystem EWS96 M works immediately with all well-known audio applications
under Windows 9x/NT and 2000. Drivers for the specified operating systems are
included in the product supplied, as well as support for Steinberg's ASIO 2.0
technology, GigaSampler (GSIF), Microsoft's DirectSound and MME.
In addition a WDM driver will be available including the WDM streaming technology
(Sonar) with up to 24-bit/96kHz and ASIO. A special feature is provided by the
fact that all drivers are able to forward 24 bit audio data as a 32 bit data
stream to the audio software being used. As a result of this feature, the main
processor is freed up considerably, as 24-bit data does not have to be sent
through the 32-bit wide bus as a multiple 24-bit data stack like it is in the
conventional packed byte process.
The accompanying software leads you directly to the goal of your audio dreams:
The user-friendly ControlPanel takes over the routing of various signal sources
and allows comfortable synchronization and driver settings without much fiddling
about.
