Soundscape Digital Audio Workstations SSHDR1 Hard Disk Recorder/ Editor Introduction | Hardware Specs | Software Specs | Hard Disk Reqs | Remote Controllers | Highlights | Testimonials

Digital Audio Hard Disk Recording

Andy Neve

Composer & Arranger for numerous TV shows. Oxford, England

An Introduction

The Soundscape SSHDR1 is a professional Multitrack Digital Audio Workstation tor the IBM PC TM or compatible computer. The system consists of high quality audio processing hardware and simple to use software for WindowsTM, containing more than 50 powerful editing tools. Expandable from 8 to 128 tracks, with up to 32 inputs and 64 outputs, the SSHDR1 can be used for a wide range of applications and is highly regarded by the world's top professionals for its reliability and ease of use.

SSHDR1-R

Unit pictured shows professional, removeable hard drive option.

Since Soundscape Digital Technology Limited first introduced the SSHDR1 in August 1993, it has consistently provided the most complete, affordable solution for high quality digital audio recording and editing on the PC. With regular major software upgrades adding numerous editing features, SDT has proven its commitment to existing and new users alike and the continued investment in research and development will produce many new exciting hardware and software options.

The SSHDR1 is currently being used in a wide range of audio applications, from recording music in project studios with an 8 track system, to multiple unit 32, 48 and 64 track systems used by major TV and Film studios for audio post production linked to video. It is ideal for Foley recording, adding backgrounds, sound effects or for dialogue replacement; in fact anywhere where audio is synchronised to picture. Studios with multitrack analogue tape recorders can now easily add digital tracks from the SSHDR1, or for use with digital tape machines, the audio can be transferred digitally to the SSHDR1 for editing. Separate SSHDR1 systems can be linked via low-cost PC networks to a central file server for sharing sound effect libraries or entire projects and so it is also ideal for use in radio production for newsroom editing or for compiling spots and jingles.

At Soundscape we believe that purchasing our products is also an investment in us, and this investment deserves to be returned. This is why we are investing more heavily in product design now, than at any time previously and we will continue our efforts to provide you with the best features possible. Our ultimate goal is that a Soundscape Digital Audio Workstation is one of the very few products that does not become quickly replaced by next year's 'new model' but instead continues to be enhanced, giving you new levels of performance.

The Soundscape SSHDR1 provides the future proof solution to your audio needs

"While mixing a recent project I rented a Soundscape system and in only a few hours, with little instruction, was up and running, efficiently continuing my session with NO DOWN TIME. I was very impressed with the Soundscape software and it's features. The sound quality was great and when I asked the price, well ... Very Impressive!!!" Alan Howarth, Sound Designer on such films as Stargate, The Mask, Star Trek "The Motion Picture".

The Soundscape SSHDR1

The SSHDR1 consists of two major components, a 19 rack unit which contains all the audio processing hardware and an intuitive and elegant software front end for WindowsTM. The hardware, which connects to the PC via a Host Interface card and cable (supplied), can record 16 bit digital audio from the analogue or digital inputs in stereo and play back up to 8 tracks simultaneously mixed through 2 or 4 analogue or digital outputs. Multiple units can be locked together with sample accuracy, a feature which requires no additional software, or hardware upgrades to your computer. Soundscape DAWs have 'rock solid' synchronisation to analogue, digital or video tape recorders and even chase timecode when varispeed is used.

Soundscape SSHDR1 back panel showing analogue (balanced/unbalanced) and digital (S/PDIF &AES/EBU) inputs/outputs

The SSHDR1 editing software for WindowsTM provides a control 'front end' for the system. All audio processing, disk handling and synchronisation is carried out by the powerful DSP within the SSHDR1 hardware and so is not affected by the type or speed of the PC used, allowing full operation even using a 386 PC with only 4MB ram. The system is capable of recording in stereo up to 64 virtual tracks, which can be non-destructively edited as PARTS within an ARRANGEMENT. Audio material can be cut, moved, copied, repeated, reversed, time stretched, pitch shifted, normalised or passed through a noise gate; errors can be removed; rec time fades and parametric EQ can be added and then material can be mixed and panned, with automation via MIDI, to produce a final stereo mix.

The SSHDR1 provides a cost effective, high quality audio recording, editing and mastering system which is simple to install and use, is expandable and has an open architecture, to allow for future software and hardware upgrades that will give you many years of creative production.

Contents

Hardware Specifications

• 2U 19" rackmounted unit
• Physical tracks: 8
• Sampling rate: 22.05/32/44.056/44.1/47.952/48KHz
• Data format: 16 bit linear
• Signal processing: 24-bit internal
• Data storage: IDE hard disk, fitted in the rack unit (not supplied), size depends upon recording time required, e.g. 1 GB gives 3hrs 9min. total @ 44.1KHz. (Contact Soundscape or your local dealer for details of recommended drives)
• 2nd internal IDE drive can be fitted giving upwards of 4GB, allowing 12hrs 35 min. recording time
• A/D conversion: 16 bit sigma-delta 64 x oversampled D/A conversion: 18 bit sigma-delta 64 x oversampled
• Synchronisation: Master or Slave, MTC, MIDI song pos. pointer + clock
• Analogue in: 2 x RCA/cinch, unbalanced - 10dBv/+4dBv (2 tracks in)
• Analogue out: 4 x RCA/cinch, unbalanced + 4dBv
• Digital in: 1 x RCA/cinch, S/PDIF format (2 channels)
• Digital out: 2 x RCA/cinch, S/PDIF format (4 channels)
• Input S/N Ratio: > 93dB un-weighted
• Output S/N Ratio: > 113dB un-weighted
• Wow and Flutter: Un-measurable
• Pro-Audio Option: XLR balanced Analogue inputs and outputs, AES/EBU
• Digital inputs and outputs (XLR)
• Host Interface: IBM-AT: parallel via PC expansion plug-in card (ISA). Supports 2 x 8 track rack units
• MIDI: in, thru, out
• Back-up medium: DAT-recorder with digital I/O, or via the PC (e.g. to a SCSI optical drive, tape streamer any logical PC or networked drive)
• SSHDR1-R features 2 removeable hard drive carriers which take standard IDE hard disks

Contents

Software Specifications

• Microsoft Windows 3.1 TM or Windows 95TNi compatible
• Using the virtual tracks, up to 64 audio takes can be recorded at the same timing position in an arrangement, allowing for instance, a sub mix of multiple backing vocal harmonies, dialogue or sound effects to be selected on any physical track later
• Arrangements are created in the arrange window which display PARTS of a soundtrack and play the actual recorded audio TAKES on disk. A TAKE can be used in different ways by any number of PARTS which can play all or any section of the TAKE, e.g. a chorus vocal can be recorded lust once, but used four times within an arrangement. These PARTS build up the soundtrack, and can be edited in a nondestructive way at waveform level 'on the fly'. even while chasing incoming time code
• Move/Copy/Trim/Slip/Solo/Repeat/Delete/Cut/Glue edit functions
• Solo and Multi-track audio scrubbing
• 999 named markers (insert 'on the fly')
• Realtime fade In/Out (8 selectable curves)
• Automated Punch In/Out
• Volume contouring
• Powerful noise gate (10 parameters with 'floor' settings to remove silence or signals from a mix, ideal for ADR)
• Normalise process to 0dB
• Stereo link tool for stereo editing
• Varispeed +/-10%
• Nudge edit using arrow keys for Move/Copy/Trim and Slip
• Supports all SMPTE formats, including 29.97 and 29.97 Drop frame
• 9 customisable Tool Pages
• AVI video file support with full synchronisation (requires Video for WindowsTM V1.1)
• Optional EDL File sup port with full auto conform via RS 422
• Zoom in/out history (8 levels) WindowsTM V1.1)
• Volume and Pan controls (real-time, non-destructive, with full automation via MIDI)
• Assignable fader grouping
• Merge (stereo digital mix-down)
• Reverse / Phase Invert / Compute tempo
• Optional Time Module features Time stretch / Time compression Pitch shift and Sample rate conversion
• Insert Left/Right Locators 'on the fly'
• 8 physical output channels, selectable for each PART within a virtual track
• Non-destructive sample-resolution editing with 'glitch-less' join
• Total disk space is dynamically shared by all tracks
• Cycle Record mode with stacked TAKES and pre-roll (like analogue multi-track tape recorder)
• Synchronisation: MIDI Song Position Pointer + MIDI clock or MIDI Time Code
• Time axis display in SMPTE (hours, minutes, seconds & frames) or Measure (bars & beats); readout of time between locators
• Arrangements are saved in separate arrange files on the host PC
• Backup of audio data takes place on DAT-recorder equipped with digital I/O, or arrangements/takes can be transferred to any logical PC drive.

Contents

PC and IDE Hard Disk Requirements

The minimum specifications for running Soundscape are as follows:

• IBM PC-AT or compatible (386DX, 486SX, 486DX or Pentium processor
• Maths co-processor (for 386 DX or 486SX only)
• at least 4MB RAM or Pentium processor
• local hard disk for arrange files
• mouse or tracker ball
• Windows 3.1 TM or Windows 95 TM
• VGA or SVGA colour monitor
• Optional MIDI card for interfacing with sequencers or remote controllers.

Soundscape uses low-cost IDE or EIDE hard disks aud stores all audio files as 16 bit linear data, at approximately 10MB per stereo minute at 44.1k Hz. EIDE (enhanced) disks are not essential, but an access time of l2mS and a 64K cache are necessary, for 8 track operation at all sample rates. Contact your Soundscape supplier for an up to date list of recommended disks.

Remote Controllers

The SSHDR1 is fully MIDI compatible and can be controlled by the Penny and Giles MM16 and JL Cooper CS 10 controllers. Locators, markers, zoom in/out, mixing and audio scrubbing can be accessed via these remote controllers.

Contents

SSHDR1 Highlights

• IBM PC or Compatible PC
• Full "chase lock sync" to time code
• 8 track expandable to 128 track (16 Units)
• 64 virtual tracks per unit
• Edit on the fly while chasing to video
• Pitch shift /Time stretch/compression (optional)
• Sample rate conversion (optional)
• EDL file support with auto conform (optional)
• Machine control via RS422 card (installed in PC)
• Automated Punch in/out
• Multi track glitchless Audio Scrubbing
• Real time fades with 18 Bit Dynamic range
• Sample accurate placement of audio clips
• 999 nameable markers
• Powerful noise gate for perfect dialogue editing
• Full digital parametric EQ
• Removable Hard Drives (optional)
• Loop recording ideal for foley
• Cut/copy/glue/move/reverse/repeat
• Full MIDI synchronisation
• .WAV File support for CDR mastering
• Supports JL Cooper CS10 and Penny & Giles MM 16
• Optional third party DSP Plug-ins

Contents

Testimonials

"Love it - Love it - Love it - Love it - Love it !!! Great box, We've got two of them and session after session we rely on the Soundscapes to deliver the pristine sound that our clients demand. It vari-syncs and chases video like a hound dog and believe-it-or-not the owners manual is intelligible. And HEY!! - just do it... buy one!!!!!!" Sunny Lake and James Lovell. Cybersound NYC, sound designer/producer for numerous commercials, records and films. "We've had the pleasure of using Soundscape for sound editing on 'Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls' and 'The Nutty Professor' and found it to be very smooth, very fast and very reliable. Soundscape is the only intelligent choice for your next digital editing workstation." Odin Benitez, Randall Guth, Dimension Sound (Burbank). It's affordable-it's modular-it's expandable-it's got crash proof reliability!!! We have 3 x 16 track systems at the studio, and we've used the SSHDR1 on almost every project that's come through the facility. Soundscape is fast becoming one of the top systems around in digital audio post production here as well as around the world. Keep it up. guys!" Frank Serafine, Sound designer on Star Trek 'The Motion Picture', Virtuosity, Lawnmower Man, VR5, Hunt for Red October. "Just wanted to thank you for the eighth wonder of the world... with each tune up (upgrade to you) it gets better and better. My unit has made production a whiz and editing a pleasure. The SSHDR-1 is my new toy. I can't wait till it can actually SPEAK english!" Emperor Rosko. BBC Radio 1 "The quality of the converters seems particularly high; I couldn't detect any colouration when comparing recorded material with the original. A lot of effort and care has been devoted to this crucial side of the system:' Dennis Miller. Electronic Musician Nov '94 "Ever since the introduction of the DAT format, the world has looked for a replacement for the razorblade. Soundscape is a sharp, affordable replacement with extras:' Eddie Ciletti. EQ Feb '95 "Everybody reported that their system had never crashed and that they had never found any bugs. not even on preliminary alpha or beta versions Paul Tingen. User review for Audio Media Dec '94 "Soundscape does offer everything that you could want from a professional quality hard disk recording system ... it is cheaper, more powerful and more stable than many similar systems. But most of all it is so easy to use, allowing you to concentrate on the music." Philip Moore. Australian Digital Mar '95 "Having used Soundscape for three months in post producing audio for corporate programmes mastered on Betacam SR it is now unthinkable to return to the old way of working ... Soundscape is reliable, simple to learn, easy to use and produces very high quality results." Nic Blinston. Business Video Mar '95	Cybersound NYC
	Dimension Sound, Burbank
	Serafine FX, Venice, CA
	Emperor Rosko BBC Radio I, Europe I, Virgin Radio

Contents

Applications

• PROFESSIONAL STUDIO
• PROJECT STUDIO
• BROADCAST
• FILM

SSHDR1 is modular up to 128 track. Software shows 48 track system in operation (6 units) with individual peak meters and overlayed volume faders and pans.

Copyright © 1997 MIDI Classics®. Revised August 22, 1997

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