Universal Audio Unveils UAD-XPANDER
(Press Release | Posted 2007-02-04)
Universal Audio, a manufacturer of high-quality vintage audio hardware and DSP software plug-ins for digital audio workstations, today announced the UAD-Xpander, an ExpressCard DSP system for laptops. The UAD-Xpander will be offered in 3 versions: the UAD-Xpander Xpress (Estimated street price $999 including a UAD$500 voucher), the UAD-Xpander Xpert (Estimated street price $1399 including a UAD$1000 voucher), and the UAD-Xpander Xtreme (Estimated street price $2199 including all UAD plug-ins to v4.5 - almost $3000 value). The UAD-Xpander Xtreme will uniquely feature a highly polished chassis with custom Xpander logo. All UAD-Xpander's are expected to ship Q1 2007.
"The UAD-Xpander is the worlds first ExpressCard-based audio product and offers the legions of laptop-based musicians, remixers & producers a state-of-the art solution to running the sonically superior UAD plug-ins on the road. " said Mike Barnes, VP of Marketing for Universal Audio. "Now professional mobile mixing and mastering is a reality and the new ExpressCard bus means that laptop customers can enjoy the same power as the UAD desktop solutions. Our UAD-Xtenda PCIe to ExpressCard adapter also means you can even switch your UAD-Xpander between laptop and desktop PC's."
Key Features Include:
44.1-192k Mac/PC DSP Audio Accelerator for laptops
Noiseless, Fanless, Alumi-Cool chassis design
Ultra-fast (2.5Gbps) ExpressCard 34 interface
Includes 14 Powered Plug-ins & UAD$ voucher
Travel-Case with compartments for all components
Optional UAD-Xtenda kit with PCIe desktop adapter
" ExpressCard is the future for all DAW-class notebook PC's including the MacBook Pro and many PC laptops, and provides PCI Express connectivity in a small form factor. It naturally supercedes Cardbus just as PCI Express has evolved as a significant enhancement from PCI." said Joe Bryan, VP of Technology at UA. " The ExpressCard 34 module allows us to deploy our existing mature and very stable cross-platform drivers to the widest range of Mac/PC laptop customers, and with over 6x the bandwidth of FireWire S400, it offers headroom for future UAD developments. By using the ExpressCard port for high-performance DSP, we offload the lower-bandwidth FireWire ports so they can be used for critical audio IO and hard disc traffic. "
About the UAD DSP Card
At the heart of every UAD DSP Card & Powered Plug-Ins package is the revolutionary UAD DSP card. Because of its high resolution, floating-point processing, ultra high-speed memory and hardware dithering, the UAD delivers outstanding high-headroom sound quality at sample rates from 32 to 192khz. Unlike other DSP cards, the UAD uses a single, unpartitioned vector processor, allowing for larger and more sophisticated plug-in algorithms offering a new level of power and complexity not found with host-based plug-ins. By greatly reducing the burden on the computer's CPU, the host application can now deliver more tracks, automation and native effects.
About Universal Audio
Founded in 1999 and based in Santa Cruz, California, Universal Audio is best known for its vintage analog reproductions and advanced Digital Signal Processing technology. The company is focused on merging the best of analog and digital technology. The company is devoted to this endeavor, following its motto, Analog Ears, Digital Minds. http://www.uaudio.com
