BIAS Debuts Deck 3.5 for Mac OS X

Apr 09, 2002

Berkley Integrated Audio Software, Inc. (BIAS) unveiled Deck 3.5, a brand-new version of their award multi-track digital audio workstation software for the Mac. This important upgrade offers several important new features including native Mac OS X compatibility with CoreAudio and CoreMIDI support, OMF import, and real-time Surround Mixing capabilities.

"For just $399 US, Deck 3.5 offers unparalleled value in a digital audio workstation and is available exclusively on the Mac platform. No other digital audio workstation software offers so much for so little," said Jason E. Davies, VP Worldwide Sales for BIAS, inc. "We're especially excited to offer such a high level of power while maintaining the intuitive interface that has always made Deck popular. The addition of OMF import and real-time surround mixing capabilities makes Deck an absolute powerhouse for the digital video professional and enthusiast. With the use of applications such as Apple's Final Cut Pro and DVD Studio Pro, Deck 3.5 is poised to become the pro audio solution of choice in the Mac professional video producer's toolbox."

"The combination of native Mac OS X audio applications, like Deck 3.5, with the Power Mac G4 makes the Mac a powerful, full-featured digital audio workstation," said Ron Okamoto, Apple's vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations. "Deck 3.5 is a robust audio solution that contains valuable real time effects and we're delighted that it'll soon be available for Mac OS X."

The Power of Deck 3.5 and Mac OS X As a native Mac OS X application, Deck 3.5 takes full advantage of Apple's advanced, UNIX-based operating system by supporting CoreAudio and CoreMIDI (for remote fader/transport control, MIDI file playback, and Timecode with CoreMIDI-compatible SMPTE LTC to MTC converters). In addition, Deck 3.5 is multi-processor aware and optimized for the PowerPC G4 with Velocity Engine. Deck 3.5 also carries forth the current feature set of Deck 3.0, including support for up to 64 tracks of audio playback, real-time VST plug-in support, SMPTE synchronization, better than frame-accurate QuickTime sync, real-time mixing featuring level and pan automation with break point envelope editing, and more. Deck 3.5 runs on both Mac OS X and Mac OS 9.

BIAS became the first company to ship a professional audio application for Mac OS X when Peak DV 3 was released in November, 2001. BIAS has since shipped three additional Mac OS X-native audio applications, including both the full professional version of Peak 3 - the industry standard stereo audio recording, editing, processing, and mastering application for the Mac, Peak LE (the lite version of Peak 3), as well as SuperFreq, the first 10 band paragraphic EQ VST plug-in available for Mac OS X.

Pricing and Availability

Deck 3.5 will be available Q2 2002 through the worldwide network of authorized BIAS dealers, distributors, and BIAS direct. Deck has a suggested retail price of $399.00.

As a special limited-time offer for Final Cut Pro 2 and 3 customers who already own BIAS Peak DV (bundled with FCP 2 and 3), BIAS is offering free upgrades to Deck 3.5 for users who purchase Deck 3.0 now for just $199, or the Deck 3.0/Peak 3.0 bundle now for $399. Peak DV will also be bundled with Apple's DVD Studio Pro 1.5.