Rain Recording Offers 64-Bit Workstation

Rain Recording has announced the Element 64, a 64-bit workstation designed for professional audio production. The Element 64 features an Intel Pentium D Dual-Core Processor with an option for the Intel Pentium Extreme Edition, which offers dual-core processing with Hyper-Threading technology to effectively achieve the performance of four processors.

The Element 64 ships with 2GB of RAM, which is currently expandable to 8GB. The Element 64's architecture is capable of addressing one terabyte (1024 GB) of RAM, which will be realized as larger RAM chips become available, allowing even the largest of sample libraries to run on a single computer. Native 64-bit functionality allows RAM drive partitioning, enabling audio recording to and from static RAM, nearly instant file opening and saving, remarkable performance when working with loop-based audio, and reduced latency when playing virtual instruments and monitoring a recording.

The Element 64 features a 250GB ultra 150 SATA system drive with an 8MB buffer. For audio file storage, 8 SATA ports allow the option of up to 3.2 terabytes of hard drive storage in dual sets of Raid 0. This represents a four-fold increase in hard drive space and a two-fold increase in hard drive throughput compared with the 32-bit Element. There are 8 USB 2.0 ports and 6 FireWire ports. The FireWire ports are divided between two separate chipsets, and two of the ports are convertible between 400 and 800 megabits for compatibility with virtually any FireWire device available.

Along with Rain's design philosophy using balanced, low power-consuming components, the Element 64 features a lightweight aluminum chassis with cooling properties for extremely quiet, cool, and stable operation. The optional aluminum RAK adapter makes the Element easily rack-mountable while still allowing lid removal.

The 64-bit CPU has twice the number of registers as the current 32-bit Element processor, and the registers are also wider. Since CPU registers offer the fastest access to data-more so than cache, RAM, or hard disk-the increased capacity and performance of these registers provides a major breakthrough in overall system performance. Floating point computation and parallel processing power are also greatly optimized, allowing audio software programs to achieve unrivaled sonic accuracy and dynamic range, especially in larger mixes.

The Element 64 is available with a choice of operating systems: Windows XP Professional x64 Edition or Windows XP Professional 32-bit. Rain will offer the ability for XP 32-bit users to cross-grade to the x64 platform via remote activation by a Rain technician. A dual-boot option is also available. XP-32 runs upwards of 30% faster on an Element 64 versus a 32-bit Element due to the cumulative hardware speed improvements in processing, memory, and storage; the x64 OS , having full addressing capabilities with memory and registers, offers up to a 60% improvement in usable performance.

Element 64 specifications:

• Intel Pentium D Dual-Core Processor 820 LGA775 2MB L2 2.8GHz 800MHz FSB (Optional Pentium D Extreme Dual-Core with Hyper-Threading)
• Intel 955 XBKLKR MB with integrated 1394 FireWire, audio, and 10/100/1000 LAN
• 2 Gigabyte 667Mhz matched pair DDR RAM
• 250GB Ultra 150 SATA hard drive with 8MB buffer
• Option of up to 3.2 terabytes of hard drive storage via 8 SATA hard drives
• Dual layer DVD-RW / CD-RW combo optical drive, 1.44MB floppy drive
• 8 USB 2.0 ports (6 external / 2 internal)
• 6 FireWire ports (3 x 3 independent IEEE 1394a and IEEE 1394b 400/800)
• Dual PCI express video ports (1-VGA, 1-DVI) (3 and 4-port video optional)
• Intel High-Definition Audio with WDM drivers
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional (x64 and/or 32-bit)
• Silent 300 watt power supply
• Intel Precision Cooling Technology
• Zalman CNPS (Computer Noise Prevention System)
• 100% aluminum alloy tower chassis
• Premium USB keyboard and mouse
• SONAR LE, NERO 6 CD/DVD Creator, RainRestore
• Dimensions: 21.25 x 7.8 x 18 inches / 540 x 198 x 458 mm (L x W x H)
• Weight: 38 lbs. / 17.75 kg

The Element 64 is now shipping with configurations starting at $3499 MSRP.