This is the fourth upgrade since the product was introduced in August 2001. SymNet Designer 3.0 software, a PC-based package that allows CAD-style 'drag and drop' control over audio processing modules, now incorporates a new category labelled Control Modules. By selecting and combining the 50 tools included in the new module, users can exercise a greater degree of logical control over the system involving programming, simple or complex decision making, and processing sequential, triggered events.
With the addition of control signal outputs to many of the existing dynamics modules, as well as a new class of modules known as VCA (voltage controlled amplifier), an entirely new level of mix sophistication is achievable. For instance, dynamics processors such as Automatic Gain Controllers or Compressor/Limiters can generate control signals based on audio input. Those signals can, in turn, be sent to VCAs watching over groups of audio signals. Working as virtual processing objects, the VCAs respond and perform exactly as traditional voltage controlled amps would in a hard-wired environment.
Also new to this latest version of SymNet are additional capabilities for Supermodules, which appear as user-definable processing objects, but have multiple functions nested inside. Supermodules now support audio or control signal inputs and outputs, and can be protected with a password to ensure the security of a particular design. In addition, a graphical control screen has been added that accompanies the module during import or export between designs.
(Ruth Rossington)
