Euphonix - 20th Anniversary

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20th Anniversary 2008 Timeline of Innovation
1988: Euphonix is Founded In 1988, the company founders, working from a garage on Silicon Valley’s famous Page Mill Road in Palo Alto, began designing a digitally controlled analog audio mixing console. Their goal was to build a high quality analog signal path controlled from a compact digital surface with complete recall of every parameter at the touch of a button. The company was named Euphonix from the combination of the words ‘Euphony’ - a pleasant or sweet sound, and ‘Mix’. (right: The Crescendo - the world's first commercially viable large format digitally controlled analog audio mixing console)	The Crescendo - The World's First Commercially Viable Digital Control Analog Console
1990: The Crescendo console premiered at AES in Los Angeles Serial #1 is delivered to the Outpost Studio The ‘Crescendo’ console premiered at the 1990 Los Angeles AES show and soon afterwards the first console to roll off the production line was installed in San Francisco and is still mixing music and films today at David Nelson’s “Outpost Studios”. Featuring a digital control surface and analog electronics housed remotely from the surface, the ‘Crescendo’ was a totally new design concept which reduced air conditioning loads on the control room, improved acoustic interference from the smaller surface and was very popular with studios that had limited space. (right:Dave Nelson with his Crescendo Console in 2003)	1st Crescendo at Outpost Studio
1991: The CS II is introduced In 1991 the CSII was introduced and included new software and feature updates and could support up to 104 channels. The system had SnapShot Recall™ of all parameters and extensive dynamic automation of faders, aux sends, switches and pans at a time when high-end analog consoles only automated the faders and mutes and could not be instantly recalled. Film composer Hans Zimmer’s studio in Santa Monica was one of the first to buy the CSII. The first broadcast client was Channel 7 in Australia, purchasing three CSII systems for on-air use in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. (right:Ivan Bottger of Seven Network in Australia with the first CSII console in a broadcast application.)	CSII in Broadcast at Seven Network
1994: CS 2000 – Digital Studio Controller, Dynamics & The Cube The CS2000, housed in a new sleek expandable frame, was introduced in 1993 and started shipment early in 1994. It boasted some major technology updates to the system including high quality digital control analog Dynamics and a central assignable Digital Studio Controller module (DSC) fitted with integrated active matrix color screen. A set of patented assignable knobs mapped directly to the on-screen graphics for controlling console parameters. The innovative use of interactive EQ and Dynamics graphs on the screen proved very popular and was an industry first.	CS2000 Digital Control Analog Mixing Console
1995: CS 2000B Broadcast System A year later in 1995 the CS2000B was packaged with new features specifically for the on-air broadcast market including the ability of every channel able to route to 12 clean feed/mix minus busses, redundant systems, and an integrated audio router. WFLD in Chicago was the first Broadcaster to take delivery of this system.	1st CS2000B Broadcast Console at WFLD in Chicago
1996: CS 3000 with Moving Faders and 5.1 Surround The CS3000 was the first Euphonix system with moving faders, and it also included ‘Hyper-Surround’ software with ‘Cube’ multi-format outputs and busses for surround sound mixing. New EQ automation software was included. Today the legacy lives on with over 500 CS consoles installed around the world, many used on Grammy winning music releases, TV live broadcasts, TV commercials and trailers, live venues and film soundtracks.	CS3000 Digital Control Analog Mixing Console
1996: The Digital Project Euphonix Acquires Spectral In 1996 Euphonix embarked upon a major digital technology project with the goal of producing a fully digital mixing and recording system. Spectral, a DAW company based in Seattle was acquired which brought in new recording and editing technology to the Euphonix R&D group. This massive System 5 project included the complete design from scratch of a new innovative control surface, DSP engine, digital router, converters, new automation system and high speed network protocol called Eucon to link all the system parts together.	DSP Core - High Speed Real Time Processing
1998: R-1 Digital Multitrack Recorder The first product to emerge from the digital project was the R-1 digital hard disk multitrack recorder. It featured a full remote control to mirror the feel of an analog tape deck. The initial system featured a flat screen display and was able to run 24 tracks, up to 24-bits with a 48Khz sample rate and was built in modular and rugged rack mounting modules.	R-1,The First 96KHz/24bit Professional Digital Multi-Track Recorder
1999: 96Khz Software for the R-1 Multi-channel Analog/Digital MADI Converters In 1999 Euphonix released upgrades to the R-1 for 24/96Khz sample rate operation. The R-1 was the first professional multi-track hard disk recorder to offer 48 channels at this high quality sample rate. That year the company also began to offer a complete range of 24-channel converters between every professional format and MADI. [Converters - more info..]	Multi-Channel Analog/Digital to MADI Converters
1999: System 5 Revolutionary all-digital console introduced at AES in New York The System 5 was the world's first 24/96K large format digital console. The system is highly modular and capable of supporting over 300 full feature audio channels. It includes a highly innovative and easy to learn surface with TFT screens at the top of the channel strips. Its unique expandable “networked architecture” uses a high speed control communication protocol called ‘EUCON’. EUCON is now being made available to third party developers including Steinberg to allow System 5 to control outside devices such as the Nuendo workstation. Over 120 System 5 consoles have been installed around the world, the first System 5 console was installed (serial #001) at John McGleenan’s “One Union” recording studio in San Francisco, well-known for national TV spots	Revolutionary System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System
2000: FC726/727 Digital Format Converters With Sample Rate Conversion To handle digital format conversion Euphonix introduced the FC726/727 converters in 2000. The FC727 is the same as the FC726 but also supported direct Pro Tools® connection. Protocols supported include; AES/EBU, ADAT optical, TDIF, MADI, SPIF-2, ProDigi, and Digidesign Pro Tools (FC727 only). 56 bi-directional channels are supported in each 19" rack mount unit. Although designed for use with Euphonix systems many facilities are using the FC726 with other MADI based audio consoles, and for use with Pro Tools® where a single FC727 could replace seven Digidesign I/O hardware units. [FC726 Converter - more info]	FC726/727 Digital Format Converter
2000: System 5-F Film Monitor Panel and Multi-Operator Systems The System 5-F included a new Film Monitoring panel, Joystick panners and software to allow for multiple operator systems specifically for film dubbing. Industry leaders such as Skywalker Sound and Todd AO were some of the first studios to choose this powerful system. In 2002 Todd AO’s dubbing mixers Mike Minkler and Myron Nettinga were among the team of ‘Black Hawk Down’ that won the Oscar for Best Sound, using the System 5-F at Todd AO to dub the picture. Oscar nominated Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings’ was also dubbed on a System 5-F at the Film Unit in New Zealand. [System 5-F - more info..] (right: System 5-F at Todd AO Studios in Los Angeles)	System 5-F Digital Film Dubbing Console
2001: HDCD Model Two Processor Euphonix entered into a collaboration with Microsoft to manufacture and distribute the Pacific Micosonics' Model Two HDCD Processor, designed for DVD, DVD-Audio, and CD mastering, mixing, and tracking. The Model Two features two channels of HDCD A/D conversion, D/A conversion, and digital processing at 192 kHz, 176.4-kHz, 96-kHz, 88.2-kHz, 48-kHz, and 44.1-kHz sampling rates and 24-bit, 20-bit, and 16-bit word lengths. In use by the top mastering studios in the world, the Model Two is arguably one of the finest converters available. The Model Two is also capable of HDCD (High Definition Compatible Digital) processing, a Microsoft technology for improving CD quality by increasing word length to 20 bits.	HDCD Model Two Processor Microsoft Collaboration
2001: System 5-M All-Digital Music Mixing System with R-1 96KHz/24-bit Recorder The System 5-M Music recording and mixing system, which includes the R-1 digital hard disk recorder, enabled large integrated all-digital music systems to be build on a modular basis. A 22" cinema display module built-in to the center of the console allows for workstation control and display right in the sweet spot. And the FC727 sample rate converters enable digital feeds from ProTools® to directly connect into the System 5 DSP core via MADI. [System 5-M - more info..] (right: System 5-M at Sydney Opera House Recording Studio)	System 5-M Digital Music Recording & Mixing Console
2002: System 5-B The System 5-B was packaged for broadcast applications with full redundancy built-in including mirrored drives, dual PSU's and DSP card redundancy. The System 5-B has proved very popular in critical on-air applications offering an easy to use control surface, simple yet powerful surround capability and a built-in digital audio router. System 5-B's modularity allows for the system to expand to fit changing applications. The system is suitable for all on-air and broadcast production applications including the largest requirements of network production. [System 5-B - more info..] (right: System 5-B at Tribune Studios in Hollywoood)	System 5-B Digital Broadcast Mixing Console
2002: TransferStation with Steinberg Nuendo To provide off-line backup and editing features for the R-1 digital multi-track recorder, the TransferStation was introduced at the 2002 NAB show. The unit comes with removable drives and software to convert R-1 format disks to other file formats and session standards such as AES 31. Nuendo workstation software is installed for editing and processing using VST plug-ins.	TransferStation & Nuendo
2002: Max Air digital broadcast console introduced at NAB in Las Vegas Following the success of System 5-B with broadcasters Euphonix introduced a new system called Max Air in 2002. Max Air makes use of the tried and tested DSP and converter technology of System 5-B with a more compact and cost effective control surface, more suited to local TV applications. Systems started shipping at the end of 2002 to facilities around the world including KRON in San Francisco, TVM in Ireland and Moving Picture OB Trucks in New Zealand. [Max Air - more info..]	Max Air Digital Broadcast Mixing Console
2002/2003: Max Air Broadcast Tour In September 2002 Euphonix launched an ambitious project to take Max Air broadcast audio console on a 77 city tour around the United States calling at hundreds of TV stations along the way. With help from a number of sponsors including Accom, Miranda and Pioneer, Euphonix built a broadcast audio control room inside the truck to show the benefits and technology of all-digital brodcast systems.	Max Air Broadcast Tour
2002: Steinberg Alliance announced at AES 2002 in Los Angeles In a major industry move at the AES show in Los Angeles, Euphonix announced a strategic alliance with DAW developer Steinberg to develop integration between Nuendo and Euphonix’s System 5 and Max Air control surfaces aimed at the music and audio post markets. The high speed communications protocol between the systems uses Euphonix’s open architecture 'EUCON' protocol. Euphonix demonstrated proof of concept where both Max Air and System 5 control surfaces integrated their control with Nuendo’s functionality. At the Tonmeistertagung show in Germany later in the year a Max Air was shown controlling Nuendo as well as controlling Euphonix DSP for a hybrid system approach. (right: System 5 networked to Nuendo at AES 2002 Los Angeles)	Steinberg & Euphonix Alliance
2003: Integrated TDM Broadcast Audio Routing Frame and Facility MADI Router At the 2003 NAB convention Euphonix introduced a line of routing solutions for broadcast, music, and audio post facilities based on the Euphonix StudioHub 768x768 digital audio router. The router connects via industry standard MADI to the Euphonix range of multi-channel converters and to PC workstations via the new RME MADI PCI card. StudioHub can also be controlled via the Phillips GVC Jupiter control protocol. (MADI is an AES sanctioned protocol that alllows up to 64 channels of digital audio down a single coax cable) [Click here for details of TDM broadcast router. Click here for audio post and music facility router]	StudioHub Broadcast and Facility Routers
2004: Euphonix Roadmap for Audio Post-Production At the AES in San Francisco, Euphonix announced an ambitious plan for the future networked integration of the System 5 digital audio consoles, the upcoming Euphonix MC application controller and digital audio workstations. Control integration is to be managed by Euphonix's open high speed protocol - EuCon. The goal is to provide complete workflow solutions from editorial through to the dubbing stages speeding up the whole audio post process and providing cost effective workstation solutions such as Steinberg's Nuendo connecting via MADI.	End-to-End Audio Production Solutions
2005: MC Media Application Controller The MC is a workstation control surface aimed at the professional who demands precise and fast control. The MC is designed to speed up working with any application as the surface detects the latest active application (the application that is up front) and resets all controls to match. The MC has a full sized keyboard with dual trackballs for standard operations, and 56 LCD SmartSwitches, 4 faders, 9 rotary controls plus a monitoring section for the ultimate in extended control. [MC more info..]	MC
2005: System 5-MC Integrated DAW Audio Mixing System The System 5-MC is an audio mixing system based upon the Euphonix System 5 control surface design that tightly integrates with EuCon aware applications such as Nunedo and Pyramix, and HUI or Mackie Control applications such as Pro Tools, Logic Pro and Digital Performer. The control surface can be fitted with 8-48 channel strips and comes with the MC Media Application Controller for master console functions and integral control of the DAW. The System 5-MC is a very powerful and flexible recording, editing and mixing system that is very competitively priced as all processing is handled by the application in the workstation. [System 5-MC more info...]	System 5-MC
2006: EuCon Hybrid Option for System 5 The new EuCon Hybrid option for System 5, which now also includes Mac OSX compatibility, extends the control capabilities of the console beyond the dedicated DSP Cores to the outside world, bringing Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) tracks onto the console surface for mixing. The DAWs communicate with the console via the EuCon high-speed Ethernet control protocol. No other control system or console comes close to the power and total integration of Euphonix control surfaces with EuCon. [EuCon Hybrid info...]
2006: 100% Redundant DSP SuperCore Euphonix scored another industry first in 2006 with the introduction of the new DSP SuperCore for the System 5 and Max Air console range. It can provide a complete 100% seamless failover to a backup unit running in parallel, the only unit on the market able to do so. • DSP Processing - Massive amount of scalable DSP available for fully featured channels and busses with Delay, EQ & Dynamics processing. Each SP662 card adds 4.8 GFLOPS of processing power. • MADI I/O - each SP662 card adds 4 MADI inputs and outputs (256 x 256 paths at 48KHz) • Broadcast Router controlled by the console’s PatchNet Software [DSP SuperCore info...]
2007: EuCon Control Protocol EuCon is a high-speed Ethernet Control Protocol developed by Euphonix to allow a hardware control surface to integrate with a software application. Euphonix has worked closely with several leading software manufacturers including Apple (Logic Pro), Steinberg (Nuendo), Merging Technologies (Pyramix) and Digital Audio Denmark (Remore Mic Preamps) to refine the protocol. All Euphonix Music and Post consoles including System 5, S5 Fusion, System 5-MC and the MC controller incorporate EuCon, allowing them to control any software application. EuCon surpasses all other control protocols, many of which still rely on MIDI. Although EuCon supports HUI and Mackie Control Protocols it does so over Ethernet for faster and higher resolution connectivity. [EuCon info...]
2007: S5 Fusion S5 Fusion has been designed for High Definition TV Audio Post which requires high sonic quality, a lot of tracks, serious surround capability and the ability for the console to control both DSP and external DAW tracks using the EuCon protocol. What makes S5 Fusion unique is its ability to mix DSP tracks and tracks from multiple workstations simultaneously on the same surface. S5 Fusion comes in a speciallly priced all inclusive package and can be easily expanded. [S5 Fusion info...]
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