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A3D allows users to hear a realistic three-dimensional and fully immersive audio experience from two speakers or headphones. A3D was initially developed for NASA to create the ultimate 3D audio simulation environment and is now used in over 100 game titles, either shipping or under development. A3D Pro is being demonstrated at the AES (Audio Engineering Society) show in Digidesign's developer booth #424, September 26 through September 29, 1998.

A3D Pro

With A3D Pro, game developers can now complement complex visuals with realistic audio environments for use in ``cut scenes,'' enhancing the overall game experience. Recording artists can construct custom venues ranging from cozy nightclubs to mega stadium events that place the listener directly in these environments.

A3D Pro is a new version of Aureal's well-received Protron(TM) Plug-in for Pro Tools, used in leading Hollywood films such as Twister and Cable Guy. With A3D Pro and Pro Tools, producers can mix a performance as they ``see'' it, arranging audio sources beyond the standard stereo field. Unlike other ``3D'' programs which function like a speaker spreader or spatializers, A3D Pro lets producers control the position and motion of audio sources in three dimensions, taking a mono source and localizing it in a 3D acoustic space.

From within the A3D Pro window, users can ``grab'' a sound source and place it at any location in environments with a variety of dimensions and reflection characteristics. Aureal Wavetracing(TM) technology creates these reflections and provides realistic reflective surfaces, from plywood walls to concrete floors to studio environments.

What sets A3D Pro's positional audio apart from other 3D audio effects is Aureal's A3D soundfield synthesis processing. A3D combines proprietary compressed Head-Related Transfer Functions (HRTFs) with patent-pending acoustic environment rendering techniques. The result is a three-dimensional soundfield that is totally immersive.

A3D Pro significantly enhances the Protron feature-set with the following new capabilities:

    * Optimized DSP (Digital Signal Processor) code enables real-time

      performance on ProTools TDM hardware

    * PCI(R) and NuBus(TM) Macintosh(R) support

    * A new Crosstalk Canceller Plug-In assures proper imaging of 3D effects

      through speakers

    * Full support for ProTools 4.X automation features enables real-time

      motion of audio sources through soundfields

``A3D Pro is a sign of Aureal's commitment to enable all creative professionals with the power and capabilities of high-end 3D audio processing,'' said Bob Safir, senior marketing communications manager at Aureal. ``Our support for ProTools' new capabilities allows producers to use cutting-edge 3D audio technology, honed over 10 years of development, during their mixdowns and final edits. The enhancements we've made to Protron will delight our existing customers and expand the market for true, pro-quality 3D audio.''

Pricing, Availability and System Requirements:

Information on A3D Pro is available immediately through Aureal's website at http://www.aureal.com -- the company is currently seeking distributors and dealers on a worldwide basis. Interested vendors should contact Aureal directly at 510-252-4581. Pricing is $399 US Dollars, with existing Protron users eligible for upgrade at $99 US.

    A3D Pro is compatible with the following Pro Tools TDM systems:

    * 68K NuBus

    * PowerPC NuBus

    * Pro Tools PCI

    * Pro Tools 24

    * Pro Tools Software, Version 3.2 or later

    * Each instance of A3D Pro in a TDM Session requires 1 DSP chip

    * The Crosstalk Canceller also requires 1 DSP chip

A3D Information:

Aureal A3D is a new audio technology that enables a real-life audio experience by surrounding the listener with sounds in all three dimensions using only a single pair of ordinary speakers or headphones. A3D is based on recreating all the hearing cues that allow us to perceive sounds in everyday life. Since people can hear sounds three dimensionally in the real world with only two ears, it must be possible to create sounds from two speakers that have the same effect. A3D 2.0 now supports new Wavetracing technology to be first to enable real-time modeling of 3D acoustics based on the exact 3D geometry description of an environment.

A3D was initially developed for NASA to create the ultimate 3D simulation environment and is now used in over 200 games shipping or under development on the Microsoft Windows platform, including Unreal from Epic Megagames/GT Interactive, Incoming from Rage Software, Descent: Freespace from Interplay, Battlezone from Activision, and Jedi Knight from LucasArts. Leading VRML browsers from Cosmo Software and Intervista Software also supports A3D.

Dell Computer and Compaq Computer Corporation [NYSE:CPQ - news], the world's two leading personal computer companies, are featuring A3D on their lines of desktop computers. Major soundboard vendors using A3D and/or Aureal's Vortex(TM) 3D audio chip include Diamond Multimedia and Turtle Beach.

About Aureal

Aureal builds advanced audio semiconductor and software solutions that increase functionality and features for personal computers and consumer electronics devices. Aureal develops audio processing semiconductor chips and also licenses technology designed to define and improve advanced audio standards in the marketplace. For information on Aureal, its products, and its industry leading A3D audio technologies, please call Corporate Communications at 510-252-4582 or visit our Website at www.aureal.com

Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, dependence on the PC and consumer electronics industries and on product lines based on new technologies; foundry capacity, availability and reliability; competition and pricing pressures; and other risks detailed from time to time in the company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

NOTE: Aureal, the Aureal logo, Aureal 3D and A3D are trademarks of Aureal Semiconductor Inc. Apple, Macintosh and Mac are registered Apple Computer in the United States and/or other countries. Digidesign and Pro Tools are trademarks or registered trademarks of Digidesign or Avid Technology. NuBus is a trademark of Texas Instruments, Inc. Other referenced trademarks are the properties of their respective owners and are hereby acknowledged

SOURCE: Aureal Semiconductor Inc.