A file format converter that evolves to meet every need from HD audio to compressed files.
KORG's acclaimed MR series of high-resolution recorders, in combination with the "AudioGate" file format conversion
application included with these recorders, gives you a new "MR style" solution with comprehensive support for the
entire process of recording to mastering.
Repeated updates to AudioGate have continued to expand the list of supported formats; currently thirteen file formats,
and twenty different combinations of sample rate and bit depth. Regardless of the format of your master, AudioGate
will take care of your conversion needs. A high-resolution master recorded on the MR series as 1-bit DSD or 24/192
PCM can be used to create a compressed file for network distribution, a PCM file edited and mixed on your DAW can be
used to generate a DSDIFF file for use as an SACD master, or an SACD DSDIFF master can be converted to the native DSF
file format of a DSD disc.
Supported file formats
| Windows | Macintosh | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| File format | Import | Export | Import | Export |
| WAV | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| BWF | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| AIFF | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| DSDIFF | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| DSF | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| WSD | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| FLAC | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| WMA | YES | YES | YES *1,*2 | NO |
| WMA Professional | YES | YES | YES *1,*2 | NO |
| WMA Lossless | YES | YES | YES *1,*2 | NO |
| AAC | YES *1 | NO | YES *1 | YES *1 |
| Apple Lossless | YES *1 | NO | YES *1 | YES *1 |
| MP3 | YES | YES *3 | YES *1 | NO |
*1 Supported if QuickTime7 is installed
*2 Supported if Flip4Mac WMV is installed.
*3 Supported if Windows Media Player 10 or later is installed.
Uncompromising design for high audio quality.
KORG's products are developed by world-class audio engineers with an exhaustive knowledge of digital audio. The design of the sample rate conversion filter built into AudioGate takes into account the tonal character heard via the final playback from the hardware, including the characteristics of the A/D and D/A converters themselves. For each combination of sampling rates, filter coefficients have been carefully designed with optimal values, and have already earned a high degree of respect in the professional mastering workplace.
In many cases, dither processing is an important factor in determining the quality of digital audio. In addition to the "TPDF dithering" commonly used to minimize distortion components, AudioGate also provides the proprietary "KORG AQUA" dithering algorithm developed by KORG to match the response characteristics of human hearing. The perceptual result far surpasses the theoretical S/N ratio based on the quantization bit depth, and has the potential to capture the spatial character of a high-quality master and preserve it even in the down-converted file.
Intuitive high-speed operation.
No matter how high its audio quality might be, a system with slow processing is not going to become part of your workflow. In the field of electronic musical instruments, KORG is a leader in ground breaking efforts to reduce latency. We already know that many musicians may experience it as unnatural if there is even the slightest delay between when a key is struck and when the sound is heard.
Through its many years of experience, KORG has pioneered technology that allows quality and processing speed to co-exist, and this experience is also reflected in AudioGate. In addition to newly optimized signal processing algorithms, we also fine-tuned the assembly language code for AudioGate to take advantage of the CPU's parallel processing (SIMD) instructions, achieving high-speed processing without compromising high audio quality. AudioGate draws a clear line between itself and other solutions that sacrifice quality to high speed.
Preview playback functionality makes it an attractive audio player.
AudioGate's high-speed technology transforms it from a simple file-based converter application to a revolutionary audio player. AudioGate can play back songs via a Direct Sound/ASIO (Windows) or Core Audio (Mac OS X) device that's connected to your computer. Thanks to AudioGate's powerful realtime conversion engine, you can now enjoy formats that were difficult to play on most audio devices, such as 1-bit DSD or high-resolution PCM such as 24/192, without having to be aware of differences in format. In addition to standard functions such as repeat play and shuffle play, AudioGate also provides numerous functions for enhanced usability as a player, such as "direct song selection" which lets you select songs directly from the keyboard, and a "direct locate" function which lets you change the playback location from the keyboard.
A graphic user interface that emphasizes ease of use.
The attraction of AudioGate is not limited to its audio quality and conversion speed. Developed as bundled software specifically for the MR series, AudioGate was designed to be as simple to operate as hardware. It requires no troublesome initial settings, and is quick and easy to learn how to use. Nearly all parameters are optimized automatically, making AudioGate easy to use even for those who are unfamiliar with computer applications.
Supports creation of DSD discs, as well as audio CDs of unprecedented quality.
The creation of DSD master reference discs and the distribution of the high-quality recorded data have long been problems for those owning a high-quality recorder. Creating a compressed file for distribution via the network is one useful compromise.
AudioGate is one of the most innovative software applications that support the creation of "DSD discs," a topic of interest among audiophiles. When used in conjunction with an MR series recorder, AudioGate lets you transfer your recording to media without impairing the pure audio quality that is distinctive of DSD, allowing you to not only create reference discs but also providing the ideal solution for archiving.
AudioGate's powerful functionality also comes into play when creating conventional audio CDs. AudioGate contains a decimation filter that is far superior to those built into a typical AD converter for PCM, as well as a proprietary dithering algorithm developed by KORG to match the characteristics of human auditory perception. This functionality ensures that regardless of the source you're using, you'll be able to create even higher-quality audio CDs.
* DSD discs (1-bit; 2.8 MHz) created by AudioGate can be played back on players
such as the Sony SCD-XA5400ES Super Audio CD/CD player, the Sony SCD-XE800 Super Audio
CD/CD player or PlayStation®3 from Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. DSD discs to be played
on the Sony SCD-XA5400ES or the Sony SCD-XE800 require the following conditions. AudioGate meets these conditions. (As of August 21st, 2010, confirmed by KORG Inc.)
- Disc: DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, and DVD-RW, that are compatible with DVD-ROM specifications
- File extension: dsf
- Folder type: DSD_DISC folder
- Maximum size of a file: up to 4GB
- Channel: 2-channel
- Maximum number of playable files: up to 150 files per folder
- Maximum number of playable folders: up to 200 folders per disc
- Maximum number of playable layers: up to 8th layer
- Sampling frequency: 2.8224 MHz
* The availability of these products may vary by country.
* PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Japan: http://www.jp.playstation.com/
US: http://www.us.playstation.com/
Europe: http://uk.playstation.com/country-selector/
Please check following URL for other countries.
http://www.playstation.com/country-selector/
* "DSD Disc Format" is a trademark of Sony Corporation.
A full complement of editing functionality, with support for editing in the DSD domain.
In the past, editing of data recorded in DSD format required extremely expensive pro audio equipment, and this acted as a significant impediment to DSD recording. AudioGate is able to carry out all of the basic editing operations needed for a stereo recorder --- splitting and joining songs, fade processing, volume adjustments, L/R balance adjustments, normalization, cutting DC components, editing marks --- all while staying within the domain of each supported format, including 1-bit DSD.
The DSD editing engine within AudioGate rivals those of professional DSD workstations. Since all DSD-based editing calculations are done while maintaining the sample rate, all the way up to 64 times (2.8224 MHz) or 128 times (5.6448 MHz), you don't need to worry about audio quality being impaired by the decimation filter that accompanies PCM conversion. "Direct output mode" allows unnecessary recalculations to be automatically bypassed, ensuring that the purity of the original audio source is completely retained in the output file.
A rich array of editing functionality for metadata such as song title, artist name, and attached graphics etc. is also a benefit provided by AudioGate.
Unlimited undo/redo allows completely non-destructive editing; auto-save guarantees bulletproof safety.
All of AudioGate's editing functions open the original file in read-only mode, perform virtual processing in computer memory, and instantiate the data only when you export the file (or create a disc). This not only ensures unlimited undo/redo of editing operations, but also eliminates the risk that the original data will be modified or lost.
Each detail of editing history is automatically saved as a hidden file, so even if your computer becomes unstable during the editing process, you'll be able to return the data to exactly its previous state after restarting the computer.
- Specifications and features are subject to change without notice.
- "DSD" is a registered trademark.
- Mac and Mac OS X are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
- Windows XP and Vista are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.
- Logos, product names, and company names are their trademarks or registered trademarks.