M-AUDIO 7.1 Sonica Theater USB-record and mix your own music

August 31, 2003

If you have a laptop or would like to upgrade your PC audio, for ripping vinyl to CD or MP3 playback, jukebox duty etc. This product may be of interest. This external device from M-AUDIO has been around awhile, but has some pretty good specs and features.

Sonica Theater is the ultimate audio upgrade for your desktop or your laptop on the go. Play DVDs and all your music in surround sound, make games more realistic, and record or mix your own music. 7.1 surround sound output and up to high-resolution 24-bit/96kHz fidelity insure that you'll experience it all the way that it was meant to sound. Designed by M-Audio'”one of the biggest names in the pro music industry'”Sonica Theater packs all this advanced technology into a small, light, bus-powered, external package that's a breeze to connect and use.

'¢ USB solution for high-quality surround sound up to 7.1
'¢ also supports DTS output and Dolby Digital 5.1/EX (6.1 DVD) decoding
'¢ high-fidelity audio output up to 24-bit/96kHz
'¢ true professional 24-bit/96kHz recording
'¢ real-time stereo-to-surround conversion
'¢ SRS Circle Surround II technology delivers realistic surround sound from any stereo source
'¢ simple control panel for Bass Management and other features
'¢ supports all popular media players including Windows Media 9
'¢ includes software bundle worth over $ 200

The device receives it's power from the USB port, thereby eliminating the need of an external power supply. Although not inexpensive, about 100 dollars US, it has been given great reviews around the Internet. The SRS Circle Surround Sound 2 is supposed to be very impressive even when played on stereo speakers.

The software package includes: Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 (full version), VJ Lite (full version), WinDVD 4.0 (Dolby Digital EX version), Propellerhead Reason (trial version)
Ableton Live (trial
version), Over 100 sounds and loops and Free M-Powered Artists CD
sampler.

Source: m-audio.com