PARIS 1.8 Adds DirectX/VST Plug-In Support

EMU-ENSONIQ announces the release of ENSONIQ's much anticipated PARIS® software version 1.8. This new version is a milestone for the ENSONIQ PARIS hard disk recording system in that it allows users to run 3rd party Direct-X and VST plug-ins for PC and VST plug-ins for Mac. Version 1.8 also offers multi-card system support, which enables PARIS to record or play back up to 32 channels of 16-bit or 24-bit audio simultaneously. Version 1.8 allows the S/P DIF connecters on the Interface MEC, (Modular Expansion Chassis) to send and receive 24-bit audio, up from 20-bit throughput with all previous versions.

In addition to plug-in and multi-card support, version 1.8 delivers many other new features and improvements to PARIS. The PARIS Mixer has undergone many changes in version 1.8. Graphics have been redesigned with new color-coded knobs making the Mixer sections easier to identify. There are now two insert effects plug-in sections, one for the Ensoniq EDS based plug-ins, and one for the Direct-X and VST plug-ins that run on the host computer. Both EDS and host-based plug-ins can be individually or globally bypassed. A Normalize Mix command has been added to the Functions menu. This command is used to raise or lower all faders in a mix by a specific amount. The internal 24-bit EDS effects as well as external analog or digital effects can now be applied to the Master stereo output of the Master Mixer.

The graphic Automation Editor Window now shows the graphic waveform display for each track. This makes writing or editing mixer automation data easy to manage. A "Normalize Volume" command has been added, allowing the level of automation data for a mix to be raised or lowered by a specified amount.

Enhancements to the ADAT window include the ability to support multi-ADAT imports/exports, allowing up to 16 channels of digital audio to be transferred to or from ADAT recorders. The ADAT matrix now draws connection lines in red to make the matrix easier to read. The Control-16 surface has been updated to improve the performance of fader nulling, making it easier to use. SubMixes can now be more easily identified directly from the Control-16 as well.

Some of the other 1.8 improvements include color coding the cables in the Patch Bay Window for easier management, numerous tweaks to the Editor Window and Marker Window, many new key command shortcuts, plus a host of other enhancements.