SoundDroid
Encyclopedia
The SoundDroid is an early digital audio workstation
designed by a team of engineers led by James A. Moorer
at Lucasfilm
between the 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.
Digital audio workstation
A digital audio workstation is an electronic system designed solely or primarily for recording, editing and playing back digital audio. DAWs were originally tape-less, microprocessor-based systems such as the Synclavier and Fairlight CMI...
designed by a team of engineers led by James A. Moorer
James A. Moorer
James Andy Moorer is an internationally-known figure in digital audio and computer music, with over 40 technical publications and four patents to his credit....
at Lucasfilm
Lucasfilm
Lucasfilm Limited is an American film production company founded by George Lucas in 1971, based in San Francisco, California. Lucas is the company's current chairman and CEO, and Micheline Chau is the president and COO....
between the 1980 and 1987. It was a hard-disk–based, nonlinear audio editor developed on the Audio Signal Processor
Audio Signal Processor
The Audio Signal Processor or ASP is a large-scale digital signal processor developed by James A. Moorer at Lucasfilm's The Droid Works. He programmed a number of Digital signal processing algorithms that were used in major motion picture features...
(ASP), a large-scale digital signal processor
Digital signal processor
A digital signal processor is a specialized microprocessor with an architecture optimized for the fast operational needs of digital signal processing.-Typical characteristics:...
for real–time, multichannel equalization
Equalization
Equalization, is the process of adjusting the balance between frequency components within an electronic signal. The most well known use of equalization is in sound recording and reproduction but there are many other applications in electronics and telecommunications. The circuit or equipment used...
and audio mixing
Audio mixing (film and television)
Audio mixing for film and television is a process during the post-production stage of a moving image program by which a multitude of recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels...
. Only one prototype was ever built and it was never commercialized. Lucasfilm
Lucasfilm
Lucasfilm Limited is an American film production company founded by George Lucas in 1971, based in San Francisco, California. Lucas is the company's current chairman and CEO, and Micheline Chau is the president and COO....
started putting together a computer division right after Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
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
EditDroid
The EditDroid was a computerized analog NLE , developed by Lucasfilm spin-off company, the Droid Works and Convergence Corporation who formed a joint venture company. The company existed up through the mid-80's to the early 90's in an attempt to move from analog editing methods to digital...
and SoundDroid were the beginnings of the desktop tools digital revolution.
See also
- James A. MoorerJames A. MoorerJames Andy Moorer is an internationally-known figure in digital audio and computer music, with over 40 technical publications and four patents to his credit....
- Audio Signal ProcessorAudio Signal ProcessorThe Audio Signal Processor or ASP is a large-scale digital signal processor developed by James A. Moorer at Lucasfilm's The Droid Works. He programmed a number of Digital signal processing algorithms that were used in major motion picture features...
- Sonic SolutionsSonic SolutionsSonic Solutions, acquired by Rovi Corporation in 2010, was a computer software company headquartered in Novato, California. In addition to having a number of offices in the U.S., the company also maintained offices in Europe and Asia.-History:...
Developed the 'NoNoise' product from SoundDroid.
Notations
- Eleanor Johnson Tracy; (1985). DROIDS FOR SALE: Star Wars' George Lucas is pushing new technology. FORTUNE Magazine. http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/1985/08/05/66242/index.htm
- Michael Kunkes; (2006). Digital Dreamcatcher: Droidmaker Chronicles the Early Years of Lucasfilm. The Motion Picture Editor Guild. http://www.editorsguild.com/v2/magazine/archives/0106/features_article01.htm
External links
- Personal Website of James A. Moorer