Virtual
audio mixing console for the IBM PC and compatibles
©Copyright 1995 Bob Lentini
Written in collaboration with Hristo Doichev
What
is SAMM?
SAMM
is
the acronym for Software Audio
MIDI Mixer; a computer software program which emulates an
audio console on your video monitor. The first edition of
the software is designed for the Yamaha ProMix 01 Digital
Mixing Console. SAMM brings all of the functions of
the ProMix 01 directly to your computer screen and adds many
more features as well, greatly enhancing the capabilities
of the hardware.
SAMM's
interface
is designed to give you quick access and total control of
every aspect of the hardware. The program is intuitive, easy
to use and allows live hands-on mixing as well as powerful
automation and cue control of mix sequences. It emulates the
look and feel of a traditional
hardware console, so mixing with SAMM is straight forward
and easy to learn.
Powerful
32-bit assembly language programming allows SAMM to do what others have said
is impossible in the Windows environment. Limited Windows
resources make it very difficult to animate hundreds of live
controls on-screen with standard programming techniques. SAMM
is a virtual assembly language engine that lifts the program
from the Windows bottlenecks and allows incredibly fast and
detailed graphics to be smoothly handled without taxing Windows
at all. SAMM will easily co-exist with other Windows
programs, including Sequencers and Innovative Quality Software's
SAW and SAWPlus systems. Imagine building a complete multitrack
digital audio hard disk workstation with fully automated and
SMPTE-locked
MIDI sequencing and mixing for less than you might pay for
one high-end laptop computer! "Never before
in the history of
audio has so much power been so affordable!"
Why
SAMM?
There are many reasons why SAMM is a great way to mix
and should be considered a valuable addition to your audio
toolkit:
SAMM
can be configured
to run up to 16 ProMix 01 consoles, allowing you to simultaneously
control up to 288 inputs from one PC!
In
live performance applications the benefits are tremendous.
There's no need to take up precious
real estate with bulky consoles. The mixers can remain backstage
and easily be controlled from a small computer station. Unlimited
numbers of presets can be saved to hard disk and recalled
instantaneously. Entire setups for different acts can be selected
instantly with the press of a button. The mixer can also be
triggered by footswitch or SMPTE time code, allowing complex
show automation sequences to be performed effortlessly and
perfectly, every performance. SAMM's, ability to generate
SMPTE and MIDI Machine Control commands allows it to become
the center of a show control situation, controlling lighting
consoles, hydraulics, video decks, etc., all for a fraction
of the cost you would expect to pay for such power.
In
small studio applications, the advantages again are numerous.
Now that 'Sweet
Spot' in
your studio can be used more by listeners and less by reflection-creating
consoles. Multiple mixers can be easily stacked in a
closet, providing a unique low cost solution to the need for
many inputs to control MIDI
modules for example. A MIDI sequencer can be run on the same
computer and you can control and automate your entire session using SAMM.
Mix in live audio tape tracks and also control these signals
at the same time, bringing incredible flexibility to your
production facility.
Keep
in mind that SAMM is not only controlling faders and
mutes, but EQ level, frequency and bandwidth as well. All
aux/cue sends and returns and built in reverbs and compressors are also part of the interface.
Other
industries, such as lighting, have had computer control for
years. Now its time for the audio industry to jump in and
go beyond. SAMM truly is a Vision
Of Tomorrow.
Features
SAMM
allows
you to save and recall an unlimited number of presets, complete
with console channel labels. You can customize the ProMix
01 for any situation and save every setting with ease, without
overwriting any of the fifty internal presets of the mixer.
In
addition, you can create sequences of individual mix cues
to execute complex changes and cross-fades with ease and
still
maintain total manual override at all times. Sequences can
be saved and recalled easily, even from within other sequences.
Complete random access to any cue, as well as timed, automated
or
manual transitions, allow incredible flexibility.
Powerful grouping functions allow the user to create unlimited
fader, mute and solo groups to make control of multiple input
channels a breeze. Any channel can act as a master control
when needed. In addition, you can create temporary groups,
instantly on the fly, to control all settings simultaneously
on any combination of channels. This includes equalization,
aux sends, pans, mutes, faders, etc. Groups can exist across
multiple mixers.
SAMM
even adds
software emulation of controls that are not built into the
ProMix 01 hardware, such as aux send on/off switches
and aux 1-2 master levels.
