Automated Mixing

Custom hardware was constructed and used in conjunction with custom software to automatically mix and patch CD-ROM and sound card audio signals to any of eight outputs. This device interfaces to one of the workstations, and is communicated with via an extremely complex and powerful mixing engine that allows multiple mixing events to occur simultaneously.

This, the heart of SMSurround, allowed incredible flexibility that was only very slightly touched upon in New Voices. The eight output channels are generally assigned to independent channels in the house audio system, thus allowing for sound effects to sound like they are coming from different areas of the the theatre, with the hopeful effect of further immersing the audience member in the show. With proper audio designing, vast soundscapes could be developed that really make the listener believe they are ``there.''

Steve Richardson 2000-07-09

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