COMPUTER/MIDI/VIDEO EDITING |
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Above is last year's computer
setup, consisting of Athlon-based Non-Linear Video Editing System, running at Athlon XP2600+ with 1536MB DDR
SDRAM and currently 500GB of disc space. On the right, my MIDI and print
publishing workstation, an Athlon XP 2400+ with 768MB RAM, CD & DVD writers. Below are a couple of recent snapshots of the new HD editing workstation. I still use the JVC HR DVS3U DV/S-VHS deck for DV projects, but mostly it sits idle unless I need to capture a VHS tape. The system monitor is Hewlett-Packard's new LP3065, an LCD monitor with an ultrawide viewing angle and extraordinary color gamut, running at native 2560x1600 on 30" of screen. The new editing workstaiton has four processor cores, running at 3GHz, 4GB of RAM, and a GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GPU. This system handles HD footage with greater ease than my prior system handled DV footage! |
Both systems use Wacom digitizer
tablets. I love these tablets!
Everything is powered by a big 3000VA UPS that I bought from a refurbishing outfit. Input is done with a Wacom Intuos
9" x 12" pressure sensitive drawing tablet. A Hewlett/Packard ScanJet IIIc sits to the right of the old system (upper photo). Two Turtle Beach Santa Cruz sound cards complete the inboard digital audio portion. I've just recently added a MotU 896 digital recording interface, which consists of 8 channels of pristine A/D-D/A conversion, 8 mic preamps with phantom power all on a IEEE-1394 interface. It records 24-bit/96KHz audio. In addition to this, I've added eight large diaphragm studio condenser microphones. This new recording system pushes the envelope for signal-to-noise ratio and dynamic range, as well as wideband response. I've measured sounds as low as 4Hz and as high as 35,000Hz with the mics. I have also done some orchestral recordings in the summer of 2005 with magnificent results. |
New workstation sits under desk (right). Contour Shuttle
Pro sits to
left of tablet. This is an excellent tool for video editing and really speeds
the process of getting around and adding transitions.
This shows the new Multi-Camera editor in Adobe Premiere
Pro CS3.
For editing multi-camera shoots, this tool has saved me hundreds of
hours already. I used to dread editing multi-camera before the advent
of this new tool. Now, revising such edits is a breeze.
MUSIC
The musical instruments have been updated. The MIDI controller is a Roland A-80. The sound producing part of the system is two Kurzweil K series synth/samplers. The left is the K2500RS, loaded with all options including the new KDFX processor. The right is a K2600RS. On top right is a Yamaha FS1R and at left is a Kurzweil PC2R/O (orchestral expansion ROM). Atop that is an Edirol 5-port MIDI patch bay/interface.
You can hear some of my music creations by visiting THIS link (page opens in new window).
Here is a fantastic review of the K2600 technology.
Here's a quote from Ray Kurzweil, on the challenges of reproducing realistic instrument sounds:
"There were a lot of problems in trying to get a conventional sampler to sound like a piano back in 1982. When a sampler looped the last waveform, as it needed to do to conserve memory, all of the overtones became perfect multiples of the fundamental frequency, thereby lost their 'enharmonicity' and therefore sounded like an organ, not a piano. Samplers did not accurately reflect the effect of touch on the time-varying timbre, and there were other problems. We used insights derived from pattern recognition and the closely related field of signal processing to model the piano and other orchestral instruments, and developed an advanced signal processing approach that accurately modelled a piano's response."
About Kurzweil Synths:
The newly voiced Best of VAST sound set
inspires music production, and composition like never before! Tritons and Motifs
are great, but the K2600RS is in a class by itself. We know best, as we own ALL
of them, and our favorite is the
Kurzweil - hands down.
The Evolution of Sound Continues
Professionals around the world use Kurzweil instruments for all their production
needs. From Film Studios and composers to the U.S. Government, Kurzweil delivers
the quality and award-winning audio that is required by the best.
Kurzweil's world-renowned V.A.S.T. architecture, enhanced with Triple Modular
Processing, provides 127 algorithms to shape your sounds. In addition, the KDFX
effects processors provide 5 stereo bus effects with 24 bit processing. The
K2600XS is a complete workstation, allowing the user to work from concept to
completion without changing from station to station.
NON-OBSOLESCENCE
Kurzweil is known for quality instruments that are upgraded, not outdated.
All K2000, and K2500 Series libraries are forward compatible with the K2600.
This is how Kurzweil was able to build the largest sound library in the world.
In addition, Kurzweil reads other major formats directly into the system for use
with its V.A.S.T. architecture. New operating systems and options are always
being created, expanding an artist's power while preserving his investment in
time and programming.
V.A.S.T.
Kurzweil's award-winning Variable Architecture Synthesis Technology (V.A.S.T.)
is the state-of-the-art synthesis system, giving an artist powerful expression
not available with any other brand. V.A.S.T. can accurately model or emulate
many synthesis processes offered by the competition, past or present. In
addition, V.A.S.T. has many processes not available anywhere else. A simple
comparison will prove the K2600RS is the clear choice for any sound
professional.
THE CHOICE IS CLEAR
Kurzweil's award-winning instruments have always been known for their
excellent sound quality, long-life, and state-of-the-art synthesis and sampling
technology. Once again Kurzweil delivers the next generation of music with the
K2600. The right features, the right technology and the right sounds. Now more
than ever Kurzweil is the choice of professionals around the world.
And that's all for now, folks!
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