Multimedia: Steinberg, Waves amplify audio tools

MacWeek, July 27, 1998 by Joanna Pearlstein

Steinberg this month released Cubase VST 24/4.0, a revision of its audio recording, editing, processing and MIDI sequencing package, to support 24-bit audio at 96 kHz (see 04.06.98, Page 19).

With Version 4.0, users can record audio with four bands of equalization per channel, the company said. The upgrade lets users drag and drop MIDI tracks throughout the program. Its scoring features include beefier layout options and symbol palettes as well as the capability to select notation styles and lyric input methods, Steinberg said.

The system supports a variety of third-party audio cards and the upgrade is optimized for Apple's G3-based computers.

According to Steinberg, Cubase VST/24 4.0 costs $799; upgrades from Cubase VST and Cubase cost $99 and $199, respectively. The company also released Cubase VST 4.0, a $399 version that lacks its more expensive sibling's 24-bit features and support for third-party hardware.

In other audio news, Waves Ltd. this month rolled out Renaissance Equalizer, a $300 series of plug-ins for several audio editing systems, including Steinberg's Cubase VST, Adobe Premiere, Opcode Systems Inc.'s Studio Vision Pro, Macromedia Deck II and Digidesign TDM from the Digidesign division of Avid Technology Inc.

Renaissance Equalizer lets users add analog effects to digital audio. Waves said the software provides 48-bit processing and supports real-time equalization graphing; simultaneous adjustments of multiparameter settings; and stereo, dual-mono or linked operation modes.

Steinberg North America Inc. of Chatsworth, Calif., can be reached at (818) 993-4091; fax (818) 701-7452; info@steinberg-us.com; http://www.us.steinberg.net.

Waves Ltd. of Knoxville, Tenn., is at (423) 689-5395 or (800) 264-0109; fax (423) 688-4260; http://www.waves.com.