Sonic Network Licenses MIDI Audio Technology to Micronas for High Quality Ringtone Playback on Mobile Devices (0307)
Boston, MASS and Freiburg, Germany, April 8th, 2003- Sonic Network, Inc., a privately held Massachusetts corporation, today announced the license of its Embedded Audio Synthesis (EAS) technology to Micronas (SWX Swiss Exchange: MASN, Prime Standard Segment Frankfurt: MNSN) for use in its MAS family of digital signal processors (DSPs). In order to meet customer demand for multimedia enabled mobile devices, the added EAS technology will give consumers the additional audio feature of high quality and polyphonic MIDI melodies.
Sonic's EAS technology has been incorporated into the Micronas MAS 35x5G family of semiconductors, providing up to 40 voices using 22kHz MIDI wavetable synthesis and the company's proprietary Enhancer Circuit for additional presence and audio sweetening. The solution incorporates the emerging Scaleable Polyphony MIDI (SP-MIDI) ringtone standard adopted by the MIDI Manufactures Association in America (MMA) and Japan (AMEI) as well as 3GPP, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project for mobile devices.
"Full multimedia wireless devices are quickly becoming the standard," said Jennifer Hruska, president of Sonic Network. "As this continues, the demand for more engaging content and applications, in the form of games, ringtones and even advertising, continues to rise. A big part of that experience is the sound and music and that's what our EAS technology is about, bringing high quality, engaging audio to wireless and embedded devices."
Micronas, a leading supplier of IC solutions for multimedia, consumer and automotive electronics, will use Sonic's EAS to progress into an emerging market for its family of multimedia enabled DSPs. Mobile phones with customizable audio features are expected to gain further customer acceptance over the next few years. To enhance marketing positioning, Micronas said Sonic's EAS represents a significant step forward in providing high quality MIDI playback for its customers.
"Cell phone owners demand personalized products, not to mention the best sound possible for their ringtones," said Shawn Richards, director marketing multimedia at Micronas. "To achieve this goal, we require high levels of quality and performance in every element of our multimedia processors. Sonic demonstrated the ability to deliver an excellent MIDI sound, thus providing a perfect complement to the industry leading MP3 decoding and baseband audio features of this portfolio."
About Embedded Audio SynthesisTM (EAS)
Sonic Network's Embedded Audio Synthesis (EAS) technology is a multi-platform audio engine for embedded systems and devices such as semiconductors, mobile phones, PDAs and other small consumer devices. The EAS system is comprised of a digital audio player, General MIDI (GM) synthesizer, Audio Mixer, GM Wavetable soundsets and multi-media extensions for the integration of audio and graphics. The solution also provides support for popular ringtone standards such as SP-MIDI, SMAF, GMLite and Downloadable Samples.
About the MAS 35x5G MIDI/MP3 Decoder
The MAS 35x5G is the latest member of Micronas' successful MAS digital audio decoder/encoder family targeted for the high-growth portable multimedia device markets. In addition to MIDI and MP3, the chip supports ADPCM decoding. Its miniature form factor, low supply voltage and I/O voltage, additional power management and power-down functions make the MAS 35x5G an ideal choice for applications within portable systems. Target products include mobile phones, PDAs, CD players, digital audio players, handheld gaming units and interactive toys.
About Sonic Network, Inc.
Sonic Network, Inc. provides embedded audio technology and content (music and sounds) that enable high quality, engaging audio and multi-media playback. The company licenses its products in a wide variety of markets including Wireless Devices, Semiconductors, PC Soundcards, Games, and Music Synthesizers. Consumers enjoy crystal clear music and multi-media playback on all devices, despite a particular platform's memory, processing or functional constraints. For this reason, Sonic has gained a well-deserved reputation of providing superb next-generation quality audio.
Sonic Network also maintains an active retail product line of over 200 Sound Library and Music products called "Sonic Implants", sold worldwide via international distributors, retail music stores and the Internet to musicians and composers writing for film, TV, games and wireless audio applications.
Sonic Network technology and content is market-proven and currently resides in tens of millions of consumer and professional devices.
www.sonicnetworkinc.com