Hardware and software blend into a DSP-powered sampling system.
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By
Eric W. Bell
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PowerSampler, which is PC and Mac compatible, is three products in one: a 32 virtual-channel PCI audio card; a software environment with an array of performance, driver, and interface options; and STS-3000, a sampling application. This hybrid package offers consistently high sound quality, low latency, and a competitive set of capabilities.
PowerSampler offers distinct advantages over dedicated sampling hardware and software samplers. Its lowest latency, an incredible 2 ms, guarantees that the system responds with the feel of a hardware device. Because it uses the computer’s RAM for samples, a computer with 256 MB of RAM yields more sample space than most hardware samplers, which tend to top out at 128 MB. Finally, it’s much easier to perform operations by using the computer’s monitor than by staring into most samplers’ modest LCDs.
PowerSampler has advantages over sampling software as well. Because its DSPs perform the audio data crunching, there is little drain on your system’s CPU, even when playing a large number of 44.1 kHz samples. That frees your system to run other applications, such as a hard disk recording program, in tandem with PowerSampler. It also ensures (with a few exceptions) consistent and reliable polyphony regardless of the computer’s platform or power. Because PowerSampler has its own audio hardware, the sound quality is not affected by the type or brand of sound card you own.
Sampling Specs
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Product
Summary
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CreamWare
Audio Solutions |
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| Features Ease of Use Audio Quality Value |
4.0 2.5 4.5 4.0 |
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Rating
products from 1 to 5
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PROS: Low
CPU requirements for sound processing. Highly configurable program
parameters. Comprehensive driver support. Access to large memory space
for samples. Many features for the price. System scalable with additional
cards. CONS: Software problems limit some functions. Sluggish nonstandard user interface. No sample auditioning before loading. Few built-in effects. |
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Manufacturer
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When connecting digitally, PowerSampler operates as a word-clock master or slave. You can choose from transfer rates of 32, 44.1, 48, or 96 kHz at 16- or 24-bit resolution. To interface the board to your system, a broad variety of software driver options are provided, and a built-in software-mixer window lets you manage signal routing and levels. MIDI In and Out ports are provided, as is an internal MIDI driver for connection to another program running on the same computer.
The two stereo physical outputs (one analog and one digital) may seem limiting, but you can get around that by configuring up to eight stereo channels internally for routing to other audio applications using ASIO or EASI. You can also get an additional eight analog ins and outs using the optional Luna 2496 breakout box ($598), which is connected through the board’s Z-Link jack. Adding a 16-channel ADAT interface is another solution, but that requires the optional Z-Link/ADAT expansion plate ($198). There is no RAM on the PowerSampler board—if you want more sample memory, just add RAM to your computer.
One thing you should be aware of: real-world usage varies from the best-case specs quoted in product literature. For example, you lose two to four notes of polyphony for each of the PowerSampler audio drivers (other than stock WAV drivers) that you enable. Also, PowerSampler’s mixer uses significant CPU cycles while onscreen. Simply kill the mixer display if you need to counter this—it’s still functioning even when not visible.
If you take advantage of the 24-bit hardware support, the board will use a second PCI channel. Finally, if you crank PowerSampler’s word-clock rate to 96 kHz, you can’t use the sampler software. According to CreamWare, there isn’t enough DSP power to support the high transfer rate and the sampler software simultaneously. That isn’t a problem, however, if you do your high-rate recording when the STS-3000 application is not running.
Reprinted with permission from
Magazine, March, 2001© 2000, Intertec Publishing, A Primedia Company All Rights Reserved
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