New audio compression standard

[stevegalante]

http://www.harmony-central.com/Newp/...ity-Audio.html
Check it out, from Sonic Foundry, unfortunately not for the MAC.

[mike connelly]

Well, then it ain't much of a "standard", is it?

Mike

[stevegalante]

You're right, Mike, but it is interesting, isn't it ?

[po hambo]

Seems to me that they have just applied normal lossless compression techniques (like those used in RAM Doubler) to the audio files. Any of their rivals (including Digidesign) could do something similar unless they have managed to patent the technique as applied to audio files.

[stevegalante]

Couldn't try it because the encoding algorhythm is not enabled in the trial version. Will it worth 33 US $ ???

[rdpete]

I'm curious to get some honest opinions about Sonic Foundry; Products, place in the digital audio world, etc....

I'm interested in what other users of Pro Tools have to say.....let it all hang out.

[stevegalante]

I'm trying to gather some info from SF, in particular the compression ratios don't seem fantastic (5:1 max, usually about 10:1 with mp3), I'll keep you posted.

[stevegalante]

Thank you Tony for the info, though it was impossible to reach monkeyaudio.com. From what you know does it exist something similar for the Mac ? And what compression ratio can be reached by these softwares?

[airon]

Lossless compression ?
There are several brilliant free compressors available for Windows. Check in to www.monkeyaudio.com for one. RKAU is another at http://rksoft.virtualave.net/ , though I'd use Monkeyaudio as a frontend. Last but not least there's Wavpack at www.wavpack.com . I'm trying to get those guys to release the source code for ports, but Matt(Monkeyaudio author) wants to finalize the format before he throws it out there.

Check the page for compression comparisons too.
Monkeyaudio also supports lossy compressors like mp3 and mp+ .
Tony

[ProTool1]

I think mp3 is still the best idea for now, I checked out the link and honestly expected a little more than their offering.

As for Sonic Foundry's place in the audio world:

I know of a few major players around here who use Sound Forge and CD architect, their still running PT but using Foundry stuff for CD pre-masters. I personally own CD Architecht and I really do like it, but I dont find myself using it as much as Masterlist. I also have Acid Pro and I love it, it is REALLY cool. So are they a major player...I don't think so. Do they make low end stuff....no. If you've got good hardware I think it can be quite useful if you like it.

As for the next net music format, I would say it will be ATRAC3, developed by sony, better quality smaller file, and everyone seems to follow sony's lead in the consumer arena. Check it out @ http://www.world.sony.com/News/Press/200002/00-0226/