Cirrus Logic's New Crystal Audio Chips Extend Digital Audio Revolution to Mainstream Musical Equipment

Business Wire, March 16, 2000

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

South by Southwest Conference

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 16, 2000

First single-chip digital reverb solutions enable reliable instrument

amplifiers, the mainstay of performers; Digital audio now spans

performance to MP3 playback

Cirrus Logic Inc. (Nasdaq:CRUS) today announced two new Crystal(R) audio chips that extend the digital audio revolution to mainstream professional musical equipment.

Unveiled at the acclaimed South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas -- the "live music capital of the world" -- the new audio devices provide the music world's first single-chip digital reverb solutions.

Breaking a previous performance and cost barrier, the new Crystal system-on-chip (SOC) solutions are the first chips to reproduce the sound of a mechanical-spring reverb, thus making digital reverb feasible for mainstream amplifiers. Targeted at replacing the mechanical springs used in instrument amplifiers, the devices go into equipment that is second only to musical instruments themselves for making music. The ubiquitous amplifier is coupled with guitars, pianos, other instruments, microphones, public address systems, live performance and studio mixing desks, and even karaoke equipment.

At a macro industry level, the new Crystal audio chips complete a digital audio signal chain that now spans mainstream performance, production, playback and distribution. While MP3 has recently captured the spotlight, the digital audio revolution actually includes professional, consumer, and computer audio systems, thanks in part to leading audio IC manufacturer Cirrus Logic.

As the world's largest supplier of audio chips, with 227 million Crystal audio solutions shipped to date, Cirrus Logic continues to capture design wins in a broad range of products, including mixing desks and production equipment; home theater, DVD players and stereo systems; and PC audio boards and systems. In addition, Cirrus Logic's Maverick(tm) Internet audio chips are powering next-generation Internet audio players such as the third-generation Diamond Rio that will soon come to market.

Characteristic "spring sound" -- with fewer worries & lower costs

With the new Crystal reverb SOC, Cirrus Logic achieves another milestone in digital audio. Up until now, digital reverb solutions have largely been limited to more expensive, high-end instrument systems and amplifiers, and rarely used in the personal amplifier systems of mainstream performing musicians. Lacking generous equipment budgets, these mainstream musicians have struggled with mechanically-based systems so unreliable that many musicians will not perform without a back-up amplifier. With a failure rate of up to 10%, and prone to vibration-induced crashes, mechanical reverb failures have long plagued performers.

Yet despite the high failure rate of spring-based units, cost has not been the only obstacle for digital reverb. Whether for artistic, sentimental or budgetary reasons, musicians have also preferred the sound of traditional mechanical units over currently available digital alternatives.

Undaunted by these expectations, the Crystal audio team applied their expertise in audio algorithms to produce a solution that accurately reproduces the characteristic mechanical "spring sound," at a cost that is comparable to or lower than mechanical systems. Already receiving positive reception with amplifier and instrument manufacturers, the Crystal digital reverb SOC means that seasoned professionals and aspiring amateurs can look forward to more reliable amplifiers with the traditional spring sound they love.

Crystal Reverb Chip Poised for Quick Design-Ins

"When we demonstrated our single-chip reverb solution to manufacturers of pro audio equipment, they told us it rocked," said Skip Taylor, vice president of Marketing for Crystal Professional Audio at Cirrus Logic. "I expect that by the end of this year, musicians will be able to buy affordable amplifier systems that use the Crystal reverb chip."

Besides producing the right sound reliably and at the right cost, Taylor added that the highly integrated, single-chip solution can help manufacturers streamline amplifier/reverb design, and reduce assembly and inventory costs. "Designing an amplifier can take from 6 to 9 months, with 20-30% of that time devoted to optimizing the tricky mechanical spring reverb," said Taylor. "Our Crystal reverb chip removes this design bottleneck and thus cuts 4-6 weeks from the total amplifier design cycle."

Taylor said the cost savings could translate into more affordable systems. "The CS4811 and CS4812 represent another step in Cirrus Logic's strategy of offering high-performance yet cost-effective audio systems that expand the audio market," said Taylor. "We're extending the digital audio revolution. Musicians, producers, and content providers can generate their own music for traditional outlets or Internet distribution. And millions of consumers can enjoy great music in their homes, cars, and wherever they go."