Microsoft and Intel, along with industry-leading software developer Cakewalk®, have provided significant support to music software and hardware companies in porting their applications and devices to run natively on Microsoft Windows XP Professional X64 Edition and the upcoming Microsoft Windows Vista operating system, along with 64-bit Intel processor-based workstations. Currently, key major software and hardware companies in the Music Products industry now have products either available or in development for the 64-bit platform, with many announced here at Musikmesse.
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64-bit Computing Provides Significant Benefits to Music Production
Windows XP X64 Edition Combined with 64-bit–capable Intel processor–based workstations provide significant advantages to musicians when running native 64-bit music applications. Native X64 applications experience a significant processing performance increase, which varies from application to application, and the x64 platform allows for access to up to 128 GB of RAM, an exponential increase from the 4 GB of RAM afforded by yesterday’s 32-bit computing platform. The increase in processing performance can result in more simultaneous tracks, real-time effects and virtual instruments, along with closer-to-real-time latency for mixing and performance when using native x64 music applications. And the increase in system memory can result in the loading of larger, higher-quality sample content into RAM, increasing the amount of content capable of being used in any given project, while also reducing the latency introduced by disc streaming.
Support of the Music Industry In Adoption of the 64-Bit Platform
Intel, Microsoft and Cakewalk have hosted and or participated in a number of development events to support the adoption of the 64-bit platform by the music products industry including but not limited to:
In January of 2005, Cakewalk released the SONAR x64 Technology Preview, the first host application to run natively on Microsoft Windows XP X64 Edition. SONAR x64 Technology Preview, a free download version of their flagship digital audio workstation, provided an application that developers could use to test their hardware drivers and effect and virtual instrument plug-ins on Windows X64.
In October of 2005 at the AES Convention in New York, Intel sponsored a talk by Cakewalk CTO Ron Kuper on the Benefits of Modern CPU Architectures. In this talk, which was delivered to a standing room–only audience, Kuper discussed the benefits of 64-bit computing for audio applications and the process of porting applications to the x64 platform.
In January of 2006 at the Winter NAMM convention, Intel, Microsoft and Cakewalk hosted an intensive development class, entitled “X64: Porting to the Future.” This class was also given to a standing room–only crowd of the leading hardware and software developers of the music products industry. Ron Kuper and employees of Microsoft and Intel led sessions on porting applications and plug-ins to, and writing hardware drivers for, the X64 platform.
In March of 2006, Microsoft held a development event called the Windows Vista Audio Partner Summit Porting Lab. Leading hardware and software developers in the music products industry attended to provide feedback on audio developments slated for the upcoming Windows Vista operating system.
Companies With Shipping Products That Currently Support Windows XP Professional X64 Edition
Cakewalk
Cakewalk led the industry by being the first to ship native 64-bit digital audio workstations with SONAR 5 Producer Edition and SONAR 5 Studio Edition. Since the release of SONAR 5, Cakewalk has released the SONAR Power Studio line of integrated hardware and software solutions, and Dimension Pro and Rapture virtual instruments, all of which support Windows x64. In addition, Cakewalk has released a free 5.2 update for SONAR that supports native 64-bit VST 2.4 effects and instruments, and SONAR’s BitBridge technology allows 32-bit VST instruments and effects to run in SONAR’s native 64-bit environment. For more information, visit www.cakewalk.com.
E-MU Systems
E-MU® Systems offers 64-bit Windows drivers for its complete line of hardware products, including the new 24-bit/192kHz 0404 and 0202 USB 2 audio/MIDI Interfaces, its line of 24-bit/192kHz CardBus and PCI digital audio systems and the Xboard family of USB/MIDI controller keyboards. E-MU Systems released the first of these drivers in May 2005, and has since updated its entire hardware line to support x64. For more information, visit www.emu.com.
Frontier Design Group
TranzPort, the world’s first wireless remote control for digital audio workstations, now has full support in Windows x64. The latest V. 1.3 drivers are the first with x64 support, and let users control all major audio applications from across the room or even in the next room. Track, overdub and monitor computer audio while at the piano, on the drum throne or on the producer’s couch. For more information, visit www.frontierdesign.com or www.wires-suck.com.
KORG
KORG USB-MIDI Driver (Version 1.06 or later) supports 64-bit computing. This driver software enables you to use KORG’s hardware products equipped with USB connectors with Windows XP Professional x64 Edition. Windows x64 support is also planned for other software products in the future. Visit www.korg.com to download the drivers.
Lynx Studio Technology
Lynx Studio Technology announced at Winter NAMM 2006 that 64-bit drivers have been released for the LynxTWO, Lynx L22 and AES16 192kHz mastering-quality interfaces. Features include 64-bit WDM driver; 64- and 32-bit ASIO support; 64-bit Kernel component that allows MME; and DirectSound and Direct Kernel Streaming applications in 32- or 64-bit. For more information and to download drivers, visit www.lynxstudio.com.
M-Audio
M-Audio has had beta versions of drivers for its popular audio interfaces publicly available for download since early 2005. Customers can download drivers from www.m-audio.com for the following interfaces: Delta 1010, Delta 1010LT, Delta 44, Delta 66, Delta Audiophile 192, Delta Audiophile 2496, FireWire 1814, FireWire 410, FireWire Solo, FireWire Audiophile, Ozonic, Revolution 5.1 and Revolution 7.1.
PCAudioLabs
At PCAudioLabs, we know today’s music industry professional needs to be on the cutting edge of technology with maximum flexibility. To make sure the transition to 64-bit will be as smooth as possible, we offer swappable 32/64-bit program drives on all DAWs that we build. From Europe to the U.S., from 32-bit to 64-bit, PCAudioLabs is a proud to work with Intel technology, taking you to the next stage of creativity. For more information, visit www.pcAudioLabs.com.
Rain Recording
The Element 64 is a 64-bit workstation designed for professional audio production on Windows XP Pro x64 Edition and features an Intel® Pentium® D Dual-Core Processor with an option for the Intel Pentium® Extreme Edition. Built in an aluminum chassis, the Element 64 is designed with balanced, low-power–consuming components for stable, cool and quiet operation. For more information, visit www.rainrecording.com.
RME
RME has released Version 2 drivers of the Fireface 800, the world’s most powerful FireWire audio interface. The V. 2 drivers include full Windows 64-bit compatibility, among many other features. For more information, visit www.rme-audio.com.
Roland/Edirol
At Winter NAMM 2006, Roland introduced V. 1 drivers for 64-bit Windows. With the introduction of fully supported 64-bit drivers, Roland continues to maintain its position as the leader in audio interface driver technology. 64-bit drivers are now available from www.EDIROL.net for the following EDIROL Interfaces: FA-66, FA-101, PCR-M1/M30/M50/M80/30/50/80, PC-50, PCR-A30, PCR-1, M-100FX, SD-90/80/20, UA-1000, UA-101, UA-25, UA-20, UA-5, UA-3FX, UA-1EX, UA-700, UM-880, UM-550, UM-3EX, UM-2EX/2 and UM-1EX/1SX/1X/1S/1.
Companies and Products With Announced Support for Windows XP Professional X64 Edition
CEntrance
CEntrance led the industry with the groundbreaking Universal Driver, which unifies formerly incompatible audio interfaces into a single production system for simultaneous recording and playback under ASIO. The driver’s innovative multi-host and multi-device capability was previously unavailable under Microsoft Windows operating systems. CEntrance announces plans to support Windows x64 in 2006. For more information, please visit CEntrance at www.CEntrance.com.
Echo Digital Audio
Echo Digital Audio continues its commitment to quality by announcing x64 driver support for all shipping products. 64-bit computing represents an important step forward in multichannel digital recording. We are excited to bring high-quality audio to the x64 platform. Please visit www.echoaudio.com for more information.
Open Labs
Open Labs is fully dedicated to making its award-winning line of products, including the NeKo keyboard production station and the new Miko portable work center, fully compatible with the latest 64-bit Windows operating system and associated hardware. With the new 64-bit operating system, Open Labs will be able to further enhance its product offering to create even more powerful and user-friendly products. For more information, visit www.openlabs.com.
Synthogy, LLC
As part of its ongoing commitment to support industry advancements, Synthogy is providing many enhancements to its renowned piano virtual instrument Ivory, including 64-bit support, stand-alone versions and an expanded library. For more information, please visit www.synthogy.com.
TASCAM
TASCAM is committed to the future of computer audio with continuous development in support of cutting-edge processors and operating systems. 64-bit processing and access to huge amounts of RAM will offer powerful creative possibilities for GigaStudio that shatter what was possible on previous platforms. 2006 will also see 64-bit drivers for TASCAM’s FireWire and USB computer interface hardware. For more information, visit www.tascam.com.
Yamaha
Yamaha is pleased to announce plans to release a Windows XP Professional x64 Edition of its mLAN Tools and Driver. mLAN is a FireWire-based protocol providing high-speed transmission and control of multiple channels of audio and ports of MIDI over a local area network. For more information, visit www.mlancentral.com.
Cakewalk is a registered trademark and SONAR and the Cakewalk logo are trademarks of Twelve Tone Systems, Inc. Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Microsoft, Windows Vista, Windows XP, are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of other companies, products, features, and brands mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
