FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS CONTACT:
Christine A. Berkley, VP & Chief MARCOM Officer
707.782.1866 (voice) • 707.782.1874 (fax)
chris@bias-inc.com
BIAS UNVEILS SOUNDSOAP PRO
New high-end audio restoration solution for Mac OS X and Windows XP features multiband noise reduction; click, crackle & hum removal; plus noise gate — all integrated into a single plug-in
New high-end audio restoration solution for Mac OS X and Windows XP features multiband noise reduction; click, crackle & hum removal; plus noise gate — all integrated into a single plug-in
New York, NY • October 10, 2003 • AES Convention Booth # 154 • BIAS, Inc. today unveiled SoundSoap Pro — a high-end audio restoration plug-in for Mac OS X and Windows XP, aimed at professional audio producers, engineers, musicians, sound designers, and forensic scientists. Along with the company's highly successful SoundSoap (targeted at entry-level users, and recently nominated for the prestigious TEC award), BIAS now provides noise reduction solutions for users at all levels.
"While our original SoundSoap continues to offer amazing results — with minimal cost and effort — we recognized the need for additional power and control to meet the demands of the professional audio restoration market," said Jason Davies, VP Worldwide Sales for BIAS. "SoundSoap Pro delivers a comprehensive suite of advanced restoration technologies in a single plug-in. This not only allows the user to choose easily between multiple tools, but also 'suggests' an order in which to apply them, to achieve the best results. SoundSoap Pro's robust and unique feature set, efficient and intuitive controls, extensive native plug-in format compatibility, and relatively affordable price should make for an irresistible investment for any professional audio customer."
Four Tools in One — an Integrated Approach
Rather than splitting the restoration process into separate plug-ins, SoundSoap Pro uses a unique, integrated interface that allows the user to access any tool quickly and easily from within a single plug-in window. Tool navigation tabs are labeled (left to right) "Hum & Rumble," "Click & Crackle," "Broadband," and "Noise Gate" — reflecting the suggested order in which the operations should be performed, to obtain the best possible results. The tabs even provide convenient parameter feedback, allowing the user to monitor the primary tool settings globally, regardless of which tool is currently selected.
Multiband NR: Speed, Usability & Performance with a Minimized Chance of Artifacts
Many broadband noise reduction solutions (including BIAS' entry-level SoundSoap) work by analyzing, or "learning," a noise profile, which can then be suppressed using a pair of threshold and reduction controls that operate across the entire frequency band. While this can achieve fine results, more challenging noise problems, as well as more discerning ears, demand additional control.
Some products go to the opposite extreme to address these needs, with individual controls for hundreds of frequency bands. But as many audio engineers are aware, this multiband method can prove to be time-consuming, cumbersome, and confusing — leading in turn to an increased risk of "chirping," "muffling," "flanging," and other annoying artifacts.
SoundSoap Pro's approach to multiband noise reduction focuses on speed, usability, and performance. SoundSoap Pro groups 512 bands into 12 discrete threshold and reduction sliders — delivering dramatically enhanced efficiency, ease-of-use, and superb sonic results. The sliders may be easily grouped with a lock button, and 12 vibrant level meters assist in threshold adjustments. When used with SoundSoap Pro's additional attack, release, and tilt controls, even the toughest broadband noise can be easily and dramatically reduced, while dramatically minimizing the chance of any inadvertent artifacts.
Enhanced Visual & Audio Monitoring Options
SoundSoap Pro's tool area features a unique, global, real-time spectrogram — providing constant visual monitoring of spectral noise that may be in need of treatment. With its intuitive color codes, the spectrogram allows users to discern problem areas and make relevant tool adjustments, all while listening to — and watching — the results. Furthermore, users can easily hear the noise they are reducing by selecting "Noise Only." Unlike Bypass — which can be used globally or for each tool, and which bypasses the processing — the Noise Only button allows the user to hear, on a global level, only what is being removed.
These two features allow SoundSoap Pro users to ensure that undesired noise is effectively suppressed — and that desired signals are unaffected by the restoration process.
A Universal Restoration Solution, Supporting All Leading Plug-In Hosts
SoundSoap Pro is designed for every major plug-in host. The roster includes Peak 4 (VST/Audio Units), Pro Tools (RTAS), Logic Audio/Digital Performer (Audio Units), Nuendo/Cubase SX/Wavelab (VST), Sonar (DirectX), and many other compatible hosts.
Pricing & Availability
BIAS SoundSoap Pro will be available Q1 2004 through the worldwide network of authorized BIAS dealers and distributors — pricing TBA. BIAS' original entry-level SoundSoap remains available at a suggested retail price of $99 US. Additional information can be found at http://www.bias-inc.com/soundsoappro/.
About BIAS
BIAS, Inc., a privately held corporation based in Petaluma, California, is an established leader in cutting-edge audio software technology. BIAS' award-winning product line — which currently includes Peak Pro XT, Peak Pro, Peak LE, Deck, Deck LE, Master Perfection Suite, SoundSoap, and SoundSoap Pro — can be heard on numerous hit recordings, Hollywood and independent feature films, television productions, websites, video games, and other productions. BIAS, founded in 1994 as Berkley Integrated Audio Software Inc, is dedicated to crafting powerful, innovative tools for audio, video, and film professionals, as well as musicians, composers, multimedia developers, and Internet authors.
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© 2008 BIAS, Inc. BIAS, Peak Pro XT, Peak Pro, Peak LE, Master Perfection Suite, SoundSoap, SoundSoap Pro, Deck, Deck LE, Vbox, Sqweez, Sqweez-3, Sqweez-5, Freq, and SuperFreq, Repli-Q, PitchCraft, GateEx, and Reveal are trademarks of BIAS, Inc. All other trademarks property of their respective holders. All prices and features subject to change.
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