Event Report

Demo booth

 The MPWG/AMEI hosted a demonstration, as also done last year, with working prototypes of the next generation of MIDI-plus-digital-audio system, employing IEEE1394 technology.

IEEE1394デモを見学する人々

IEEE1394デモブース
A crowd of people watching Mr.Furuyama's IEEE1394 demonstration. Attendees high interest indicates that users are anticipating such future products.

Overview of the MPWG/AMEI's demo booth and the IEEE1394 prototypes, promoting multiple digital audio and MIDI transfered over IEEE1394.

デモを行う古山俊一氏 Mr.Furuyama ( a famous synthesizer artist) presents the demostration with brief explanations about IEEE1394 and with actual demonstration of operational prototypes.

Manufacturers who demonstrated last year, Kawai, Korg, Roland, and Yamaha, were joined by several new companies this year, including Steinberg Japan, Apple Computer and TEAC. CueBase VST on Macintosh G3, 8-Tr Digital Multitrack Recorder, and a Multi-Channel Audio Gateway were newly added to the demonstration set. Each prototype was tied to the next one beside it by using simple IEEE1394 cables. At the demostration, by manipulating those prototypes, it was shown that multi-channel digital audio and MIDI are really transfered over this cable link simultaneously and in realtime. Those prototypes were arranged in a formation that may be typically used in a small studio situation. Demonstrator, Mr.Shun-ichi Furuyama (a famous Japanese synthesizer artist), breifly explained how IEEE1394 technology is utilized by describing and demonstrating the common recording processes such as material recording, sound effect processing, auditioning and track Mix-Down. Included among the prototypes were some devices generally called "Gateways", which allow legacy MIDI and audio devices to join to IEEE1394 system. This was done to indicated that there already is a solution idea for compatibility, connectivity and interoperability using legacy devices.


 A stack of prototypes including Korg's TR-Rack, Roland's JV-2080, and TEAC's DA-98, all eqquipped with IEEE1394 I/F. A full rear wall mirror was used so that attendees could see the simple IEEE1394 cabling..  Kawai's prototype of K5000R equipped with IEEE1394 I/F, and the prototype of "Gateways" (by TEAC(TASCAM) and YAMAHA) which allow legacy devices to be connected to the IEEE1394 system.  Yamaha's prototype O3D digital mixer equipped with IEEE1394 I/F.
 Roland's prototype speaker system with embeded amplifier, allows direct connection by IEEE1394 cable. (back view)  Another Roland prototype, a multiple port MIDI gateway system. This system handles eight individual legacy MIDI cables simultaneously over IEEE1394.

Seminar

← A snapshot of IEEE1394 technical seminar held on the first day. Engineers from Yamaha, Roland, Korg, KAWAI and TEAC(TASCAM) who prepared the prototype models got together at the presentator's table, presenting and promoting the good cooperation between all companies in the MPWG/AMEI.

In additionally to the demo booth, the MPWG/AMEI presented a technical seminar about IEEE1394 utilization for music applications in a separate seminar room. Even though this seminor was not free-of-charge, many people attended to it. Among the attendees there were people with interest in sound recording and musical instruments, people from the semiconductor manufacturing industry and commercial installation industry were seen. At this technical seminar, attendees energetically listened to the very technical issues which were not explained at the demo booth. The engineers from each company, who were actually involved in creating the experimental prototype models, demonstrated at the booth and they presented their comments about possibility, possible applications, and market vision from their experience. They showed actual suggestible applications such as sound recording studio, music lesson room, equipments for the concert events and fun pianos for home environment etc... presented in practical terms without too much "marketing hype". MPWG/AMEI introduced their attitude and approach such as practical co-evaluations with experimental prototypes shown at the demo booth and showed their recognition of and participation in trends of worldwide standardization, not only limited to the musical instrument industry but also in co-operation with the other electronic device industries. As one examples, a presenter from MPWG/AMEI noted that they have been sending representing members regularly to the meetings held by the IEEE1394 Trade Association, the official worldwide central standardization organization of IEEE1394 technology and they have presented several proposals promoting the application of IEEE1394 technology to music and sound.

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