Sony Launches New Multi-Effects Processor

Sony Electronics is unveiling its new multi-effects processor, the DPS-V55, a powerful, cost-effective tool for music production and mixing. Working with many leading engineers--Roger Nichols, the Dust Brothers, Michael Bernard, Snuffy Walden, Rob Arbettier, Tom Jung--to develop presets, the DPS-V55 is designed to benefit musicians in project studios, desktop applications, public address environments and for television and multimedia applications.

Drawing from an advanced level of technology found in Sony's DPS-V77, the new unit offers many of the same sonic advantages: the same DSP rate, the same processing chip and twohit converters. The target market of the DPS-V55 is geared more towards multi-use for surround sound mixing applications by virtue of its features and price point.

"It is very exciting to work with these well-known engineers who are known for their distinct sounds to develop unique and creative preset sounds," said Paul Foschino, marketing manager of professional audio products for Sony Electronics' Business and Professional Group. "The roster of preset developers is a respected group from different facets of the music production industry, and we anticipate that their combined creative knowledge will make the processor a more dynamic machine."

The DPS-V55 offers users tremendous flexibility with the choice of 45 effects types that can run on the processor's four channels, and gives musicians the Opportunity to mix in twochannel stereo or four-channel Surround sound.

The unique structure of the DPS-V55 offers various operational modes to run four-channel "surround" effects, two independent simultaneous "true stereo" effects or four independent mono input/stereo output effects. The included edit librarian software allows for continuous preset updating and storage, which will allow Sony to make more "signature" presets available in the future. A significant ease-of-use feature of the DPS-V55 is its knob velocity, which can be adjusted to scroll through presets as quickly as needed.

Because the presets on the machine are grouped according to input configuration and application, musicians access to the effects is further simplified by the search function, which allows quick access to presets with certain algorithms selected. Efficiency is also aided by the presence of an algorithm chart on the machine which identifies various effects. The machine's large rotary knob and large tap tempo button makes the DPS-V55 easy to use and provides musicians with quicker turnaround time for implementing effects.

"The DPS-V55 offers stereo and surround sound capability, with some great-sounding effects," Foschino said. "The potential applications for this machine are many, and it will be interesting to see what effect the work of Roger Nichols and others will have in new places."

The DPS-V55 will be available in April at a suggested list price of $550.