SuperMAC technology is the basis of Audio Engineering Society standard AES50-2005: AES standard for digital audio engineering - High-resolution multichannel audio interconnection.
Klark Teknik will promote the use of AES50, SuperMAC and HyperMAC and license the use of the technology. Support for existing licensees will transfer from Sony Oxford to Klark Teknik. Compliance with the Audio Engineering Society patent policy will be unaffected. Klark Teknik will additionally seek standardisation for the HyperMAC technology.
SuperMAC and HyperMAC are used extensively in the Midas XL8 digital mixing console to provide a flexible audio routing and distribution network. As well as licensing the technology, Klark Teknik will be launching a range of products using this networking technology, beginning with the DN9696 High Resolution 96 track/96 kHz live performance audio recorder, previewed at PLASA07. Further product announcements from third parties are expected shortly.
John Oakley, managing director of Telex Communications (UK), said: "SuperMAC and HyperMAC are by far and away the best networking technology for live performance use. They are totally deterministic with very low latency over multiple network segments and offer very high reliability and redundancy. The high channel capacity coupled with the ability to carry standard TCP/IP messages cannot be matched by any other technology. Klark Teknik is proud to be the new owner and promoter of this exciting and practical technology. It is particularly important that this is an AES standard and open to all."
Morgan David, divisional director R&D at Sony Professional Solutions Europe, a division of Sony UK, said: "We are delighted to have been able to complete this sale to Klark Teknik as they have been our strongest supporter in developing the AES50 standard and adopting the SuperMAC technology into their product. It was our top priority to identify a new owner who would be actively committed to the development of the AES50 standard, both in terms of technological progress and also through active licensing and support to the Pro Audio industry as a whole."
He continued: "Given that we had decided Sony could no longer give our Audio Networking business the investment and focus it needed, this is undoubtedly the best outcome we could have hoped for as it secures the future of this standard for the industry."
(Jim Evans)
