Yamaha Announces New Plug-In Technology

Yamaha Corporation of America, Digital Musical Instruments, announces a new open plug-in format for the control of MIDI devices from within music software and sequencing products. Introduced at Musikmesse 2002 and known as Open Plug-In Technology (OPT), the format allows seamless integration of external hardware devices and control surfaces with synthesizer editors, enhanced editing views and other MIDI processing tools.

The OPT interface is based on the industry-standard Microsoft COM (Component Object Model) technology and is compatible with MS Windows 9.x/ME and XP. Yamaha is currently promoting OPT to third party hardware and software companies, and early adopters include Cakewalk Music Software, who worked closely with Yamaha to develop the specification. A comprehensive software kit (SDK) includes the full specification, a plug-in source code example, an application demo, and all necessary information for third party developers.

Unlike other plug-in formats designed for audio processing and synthesis software, OPT is targeted at providing complete MIDI solutions in the computer-based environment. The system architecture allows developers to provide custom plug-ins for direct support of new and existing hardware and/or MIDI extensions which will work with participating software vendor products.

"OPT offers great benefits to any musician using a computer," states Athan Billias, marketing manager, Digital Musical Instruments. "Many people pose the question of software versus hardware. However, at Yamaha, we believe that the key to the future is actually the successful integration of both hardware and software into a seamless music production environment. Open Plug-In Technology is a significant step toward this goal."