SoundDroid
The SoundDroid is an early digital audio workstation designed by a team of engineers led by James A. Moorer at Lucasfilm between 1980 and 1987. It was a hard-disk–based, nonlinear audio editor developed on the Audio Signal Processor (ASP), a large-scale digital signal processor for real–time, multichannel equalization and audio mixing. Only one prototype was ever built and it was never commercialized. Lucasfilm started putting together a computer division right after Star Wars as an in-house project to build a range of digital tools for filmmaking. The audio project that became SoundDroid was done in close collaboration with the post-production division, Sprocket Systems, and later spun out as part of a joint venture called The Droid Works. Complete with a trackball, touch-sensitive displays, moving faders, and a jog-shuttle wheel, the SoundDroid included programs for sound synthesis, digital reverberation, recording, editing and mixing. EditDroid and SoundDroid were the beginnings of the desktop tools digital revolution.
See also
- James A. Moorer
- Audio Signal Processor
- Sonic Solutions, developed the 'NoNoise' product from SoundDroid.
- EditDroid
References
- Kunkes, Michael (2006), Digital Dreamcatcher: Droidmaker Chronicles the Early Years of Lucasfilm, The Motion Picture Editor Guild.
- Leider, Colby (2004). Digital Audio Workstation: Mixing, Recording, and Mastering on Your Mac Or PC. McGraw-Hill. p. 398. ISBN 0-07-142286-2.
- Rubin, Michael (2005). Droidmaker: George Lucas and the Digital Revolution. Triad. p. 518. ISBN 0-937404-67-5.
- Tracy, Eleanor Johnson (1985), "Droids for Sale: Star Wars' George Lucas is pushing new technology", Fortune, CNN.
External links
- Moorer, James A, "Resume", Jammin power (personal Website).