TC Works has launched SparkME, a free audio editor designed exclusively for Mac OS X.
“We believe that Mac OS X is a major step forward for audio and media production and we would like to support Apple by creating some additional momentum with the free SparkME product, so people can start using the power of the new OS for audio now ” Ralf Schluenzen, CEO of TC WORKS, said in announcing the product.
SparkME is a core version of SPARK, TC WORKS’ real-time audio editing and processing application. SparkME goes beyond many common audio editors with its innovative user interface concept, featuring an integrated data base, play list and a lot of processing features, Schluenzen said.
SparkME includes features such as fast editing with unlimited undo, sample-accurate waveform display and VST Plug-In support, he added. The Play List section allows for the preparation of projects for CD and includes real-time crossfades and exporting of play lists in Roxio Toast format. Its QuickTime movie feature enables digital media production with frame accurate and stutter-free movie playback, including different sizes for the movie window, Schluenzen said.
All major audio file formats are supported, from AIFF to WAV and SDII and all file formats imported thru QuickTime, he added. Sample rates of up to 192 kHz and bit depths up to 32bit ensure not only full compatibility with DVD specs, but actually go beyond, Schluenzen said. The real-time sample rate conversion even enables monitoring playback and editing of files without requiring optional professional audio hardware.
SparkME has been written to take advantage of the new technologies introduced with Mac OS X, like CoreAudio. CoreAudio code produces measurably less latency than other operating systems when running multiple applications.
SparkME for X is available now as a free download from the TC Works Web site. To use it, you’ll need a Power Mac G3 or G4 running Mac OS X 10.1 or higher (Mac OS 9.1 needs to be present for installation.)