Line 6 and Freescale Empower Third-Party Audio Designers with New ToneCore® DSP Developer Kit
NEW YORK--Line 6 and Freescale Semiconductor are showcasing the ToneCore DSP Developer Kit at the Audio Engineering Society Conference, Booth 528, at 5 p.m. ET today.
The ToneCore DSP Developer Kit is a solution for digital signal processor (DSP) software developers who create custom sounds for guitarists. The kit enables third-party audio DSP developers with little or no electronic design experience to quickly and easily program audio effects modules for Line 6 ToneCore guitar pedals.
Major corporations have been the primary creators of DSP hardware products. Now with the Line 6 ToneCore DSP Developer Kit, all audio designers who write DSP code can create and sell a portable, affordable, battery-powered, stereo audio hardware product for musicians and audio enthusiasts. All it takes is a PC and the kit.
The ToneCore DSP Developer Kit, jointly designed by Line 6 and Freescale Semiconductor, has the essential elements a developer requires to program unique effects. The elements include the hardware platform (ToneCore Programmable Module), sample code and documentation. The end result of the kit is a custom ToneCore Module allowing a guitarist to swap out effects in their ToneCore pedal at any time.
“The beauty of the ToneCore DSP Developer Kit is that it allows a DSP software developer to be an audio effects creator and manufacturer,” said Erik Tarkiainen, director of product marketing for Line 6. “The kit dramatically simplifies the development of battery-powered stereo audio hardware guitar pedals.”
The Freescale Symphony audio DSP is in more than 50 Line 6 effects products to date. Line 6’s choice of the Freescale DSP technology helps reduce complexity, cost and size, as well as power consumption.
“The collaborative process between Freescale and Line 6 on the ToneCore DSP Developer has resulted in a product that helps audio engineers develop specialized audio effects for go-to-market products,” said Todd Benson, audio DSP product line manager, Freescale Multimedia Applications Division. “This solution underscores Freescale’s desire to enrich our customers’ product offerings and their bottom line wherever possible.”
How the development kit works
The kit contains a special Line 6 Developer ToneCore Dock, which in addition to containing the Freescale Symphony audio DSP, audio circuitry and ToneCore Module docking slot, can be connected directly to a PC. The ToneCore Programmable Module is customizable and stores DSP code in the FLASH memory of the on-board Freescale microcontroller. DSP code development is performed on the PC and then a programming tool is used to FLASH the MCU with the new DSP code through the Developer ToneCore Dock.
Once the module is programmed, it can be used in any ToneCore Dock since the DSP code from each module is automatically downloaded from the MCU to the Symphony audio DSP. The result is a custom effects guitar pedal.
Availability
The ToneCore DSP Developer Kit from Line 6 will be available for purchase in the first half of 2008. Designers can purchase ToneCore Programmable Modules from Line 6, configure them with the ToneCore DSP Developer Kit and sell their Modules to music stores or directly to musicians.
Technology demonstration at AES
Media are invited to a special technology demonstration of the Line 6 ToneCore DSP Developer Kit at 5 p.m., Friday, October 5 at AES booth 528. An accomplished Line 6 musician will demonstrate the wide-ranging guitar effects enabled by the kit. Representatives from both companies will be available for comment, including Marcus Ryle, Line 6 Co-Founder and Senior Vice President, Research and Development.
About Line 6, Inc.
Incorporated in 1996, Line 6 is a music gear manufacturer dedicated to developing music products to inspire creativity both on the stage and in the studio. Headquartered in Calabasas, California, Line 6 currently has a presence in over 60 countries worldwide with offices in California, China and the United Kingdom. As the pioneer of digital modeling guitar amplifiers, Line 6 has created award-winning products for guitarists, bass players and engineers. For more information visit www.line6.com.
About Freescale Semiconductor
Freescale Semiconductor is a global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial, networking and wireless markets. The privately held company is based in Austin, Texas, and has design, research and development, manufacturing or sales operations in more than 30 countries. Freescale is one of the world's largest semiconductor companies with 2006 sales of $6.4 billion (USD). www.freescale.com
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