FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Christine A. Berkley, VP & Chief MARCOM Officer
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chris@bias-inc.com
BIAS INTRODUCES SOUNDSOAP PRO TO NAB
New high-end audio restoration solution for Mac OS X and Windows XP — Ideal for professionals in Video, Film, Broadcast and Multimedia
New high-end audio restoration solution for Mac OS X and Windows XP — Ideal for professionals in Video, Film, Broadcast and Multimedia
Las Vegas, NV • April 19, 2004 • NAB Expo • Booth SL1063 • BIAS, Inc. today announced that SoundSoap Pro — a high-end audio restoration plug-in for Mac OS X and Windows XP, is nearing release, and will be introduced to the Video, Film, Broadcast and Multimedia market at the 2004 NAB Expo. SoundSoap Pro includes four restoration tools — Multi-band noise reduction; Click and Crackle removal; Hum removal; and a Noise Gate — all in a single, intuitive plug-in. 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 for markets beyond the music industry.
"Our original entry-level SoundSoap was conceived out of feedback we received from the many Final Cut Pro users who became acquainted with light versions of our Peak audio editor (shipping with Final Cut since Final Cut 2)", said Jason Davies, VP Worldwide Sales for BIAS. "SoundSoap sales into the digital video, and other rich media markets have well exceeded our original expectations. In creating SoundSoap Pro, we're building on that success and recognizing that there is also a need in markets beyond the music industry for a restoration tool that offers a greater degree of control and flexibility in the noise reduction process. 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 DV, Film, Broadcast and multimedia customer."
"I've worked with every major software noise reduction solution on the planet, and I have to say SoundSoap Pro offers amazing results with minimal effort", said Douglas Spotted Eagle, Grammy and Emmy award winning musician/producer, author, instructor, and video editor. "Previously, I've used SoundSoap on Mac and Windows and achieved excellent results — especially for such an easy to use and inexpensive product. With SoundSoap Pro, I can now improve the sound of even the most challenging files with similar ease. The additional tools and controls, advanced new algorithms, and integrated approach makes SoundSoap Pro a must-have for anyone authoring professional video or audio".
Douglas is offering several workshops at NAB this year, and BIAS SoundSoap Pro will be a featured solution in one entitled "Improving Poor Sound — Noise Reduction" (Monday at 4:30-5:45 PM, Room N-241, LVCC). He will also briefly show Peak 4.1, the latest edition of the award winning stereo audio editor from BIAS, during two additional workshops — "A Video Editor's Overview Of The Audio Editing Process" (Monday at 3-4:15 PM, Room N241, LVCC), and "SoundTrack — Your Digital Audio Sweetener" (Tuesday at 3-4:15 PM, Room N-242, LVCC).
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.
Multi-band 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 multi-band 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 multi-band 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 greatly 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 only what is being removed. These two features allow SoundSoap Pro users to ensure that undesired noise is effectively suppressed while 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), Adobe Audition (Direct X), and many other compatible hosts.
Pricing & Availability
BIAS SoundSoap Pro is in final beta and will be available soon through the worldwide network of authorized BIAS dealers and distributors for a suggested retail price of $599 US. BIAS' original entry-level SoundSoap remains available at a suggested retail price of $99 US. SoundSoap users will be offered an upgrade path to SoundSoap Pro when it is available. 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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