Tascam GS160 GigaStudio Sampling Workstation (Windows)

Manufacturer's Description for Tascam GS160 GigaStudio Sampling Workstation (Windows)

The incredible Tascam GigaStudio is the world's most powerful sampling tool — period. GigaStudio is a complete sample playback system that's uses the power of your Windows PC to create fully realized audio productions, complete with mixing and effects.

GigaStudio is based on the power of Tascam's famous GigaSampler and its Endless WaveTM technology, a patented system which allows samples to be streamed off the hard drive, instead of from RAM like less-advanced samplers. Instead of relatively small sample sizes that need to be looped, the Giga platform lets you work with HUGE sample sizesá up to 4.3 gigabytes! The resulting detail and realism must be heard to be truly appreciated. Plus, these enormous samples may be triggered with extremely low latency on all voices using approved GSIF interfaces, allowing for tight performances with truly musical feel.

GigaStudio 160 delivers 64 MIDI channels over 4 unique ports, as well as dedicated MIDI input for real-time effects and mixer automation, allowing the creation of massive performances with dynamically controllable effects. Plus, GigaStudio is the first and only sampler to provide up to 160 disk-based, streaming voices of polyphony in real-time. In combination with your MIDI sequencer, you can create anything from a simple pop tune to an advanced, fully orchestrated film score, with sound quality that's indistinguishable from recordings of performed instruments.

High-quality, 32-bit effects are also available for GigaStudio. The NFX real-time signal processing series includes the NFX1 Reverb/Multi-Effects, the NFX2 Chorus/Flanger, the NFX3 Tap Delay/Auto Pan and the NFX4 EQ. Also, unlike most plug-in effects, the NFX Series operates with true zero-latency performance with GigaStudio.

While dozens of sample libraries have been specifically developed for the Giga platform, GigaStudio introduces enhanced compatibility with CD-ROM libraries, as well as WAVE format samples. GigaStudio's DSP Station Mixing Console includes Volume, Pan, Effect Sends, and Insert points that enable professional quality mixing without the need for additional plug-ins or hardware. All parameters can be automated via MIDI and employ a 32-bit signal path to maintain pristine digital clarity.

For busy professional musicians, sound designers, and recording facilities, GigaStudio's unique QuickSoundTM technology enables instant location and previewing of samples, waves, and instruments in real-time via an intuitive, database-assisted technology for cataloging instruments and sound samples using plain language. Just type in the type of sound you need — piano, drums, french horn, and so on — and QuickSound will pull up all the samples that fit the description. Plus, Giga-compatible instruments don't have to be resident on the client hard drive. Users of 100-baseT or better networks can easily access mapped drives in real-time, allowing instant access to Giga-compatible systems and instruments via standard LAN connectivity. With additional professional features like capture-to-wave (which records entire performances, including effects, faders, pan, and MIDI automation directly to disk), support for 24bit/96kHz hardware, embedded help tools, and an advanced instrument editor (featuring advanced synthesis tools like multi-mode resonant filters, multiple envelopes and LFOs, drag and drop sample assignment, and up to 32 samples per key), GigaStudio is a must-have tool for any serious composer or sound designer.

Features
Polyphony: 160 streaming voices

MIDI channels: 64

Included NFX Effects: NFX1, NFX2, NFX3

Expandable sampling workstation

Patented EndlessWaveTM technology allows use of HUGE samples up to 4.3GB

Ultra-low latency (3-10 millisecond) performance via GSIF interface

Up to 160 streaming, disk-based voices

64 MIDI channels

Supports GSIF-compatible hardware with up to 32 audio channels (GSIF compatible soundcard required)

NFXTM professional effects processors: includes NFX1 Reverb/Multieffects, NFX2 Chorus/Flanger, and NFX3 Tap Delay/Auto-Pan

32-bit audio signal processing

Mixing Console with level, pan, and effects controls

Support for 24-bit/96kHz hardware

Enhanced sample format conversion utilities: Akai S1000/S3000, GigaSampler, SoundFont, DLS, WAVE (additional conversion tools available from third party developers)

Network streaming capability

QuickSoundTM real-time interactive sound database

Instrument Editor with multi-mode resonant filters (low-pass, band-pass, high-pass, notch)

Behavioral Sampling and Dimensions performance sampling technologies

Release triggered sampling for natural instrument resonances

Embedded Help System

Enhanced support for GigaSampler file formats: intelligent auditioning, up-to-500% faster load times, extended instrument information

DirectSoundTM compatible

Bundled Sounds Include: GigaPiano 1GB sampled grand piano, RetroDrums Analog/Digital Percussion Set, Soundware Demo #1 zZounds is an authorized dealer of Tascam products.