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Easy-to-Use Audio Upgrade for USB Desktops and Laptops Offers Immersive Surround Sound and High-Resolution 24-Bit/96kHz Audio Capability

In addition to supporting the popular 5.1 surround sound format, Sonica Theater is one of the only consumer audio cards offering direct output of up to eight channels for 7.1 surround. (Where 5.1 places speakers beside the listener, 7.1 places them both beside and behind for a much more immersive and realistic surround sound experience.) Sonica Theater features Dolby Digital EX decoding with the included WinDVD 4 DVD player, allowing analog output of true multi-channel audio and turning the computer into a home theater component. The product also supports stereo, 4.1 and 6.1 formats, and features Dolby Digital and DTS pass-through for external decoders on its digital output. (The open source VLC Player available at www.m-audio.com is one example of a Macintosh-compatible DVD player that currently supports pass-through.) Additionally, the Sonica Theater hardware is poised to deliver direct multi-channel audio output when versions of the Macintosh OS and other applications that support this functionality are released.

Sonica Theater also offers full support for Microsoft Windows Media Audio 9 Professional -- a first for a laptop-compatible sound card. Enabled by Sonica Theater, the low data rates of Windows Media Audio 9 Professional allow desktop or laptop users to enjoy incredibly high-quality, high-resolution surround sound music and video streamed live or on demand from the Internet.

Users lacking a 5.1 or 7.1 speaker system can still enjoy stunning surround results from Sonica Theater, thanks to built-in SRS TruSurround XT -- a powerful virtual surround sound process that delivers the multi-channel audio experience over standard stereo speakers or even headphones. Conversely, built-in SRS Circle Surround II technology instantly transforms stereo CDs or MP3s into incredibly lifelike surround sound, electronically separating instruments, vocals, and even crowd noises for multi-channel output to yield dynamically dimensional results.

"Sonica Theater is the first consumer USB audio card to offer the same high-quality Circle Surround II technology found in many home theater receivers around the world," said Ted Franceschi, Executive Vice President, Marketing and Sales. "SRS Labs is excited to partner with M-Audio in providing laptop and desktop users the ultimate surround sound experience available via computers."

Sonica Theater delivers impressive audio specifications such as high 101 dB signal-to-noise ratio and exceptionally low 0.00345% THD. A simple-yet-powerful control panel accesses advanced features like speaker setup and professional bass management to ensure that speakers are connected properly and configured for optimum performance and audio fidelity.

"Sonica Theater is a complete breakthrough that brings laptop or desktop users the best surround sound experience available in a USB solution," says Adam Castillo, M-Audio's Marketing Director. "Availability of up to 7.1 surround sound and 24-bit/96kHz recording and playback make Sonica Theater ideal for almost any consumer audio application."

The Sonica Theater package includes over $200 of high-quality bundled software with full versions of Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3*, MixMan Studio, Arkaos VJ Lite, and the Dolby Digital EX version of WinDVD 4*. It also includes award-winning music creation programs with over 100 sounds and loops, as well as a free sampler CD of music from M-Audio's M-Powered artists roster.

* PC versions only

Sonica Theater is shipping in mid-January 2003 for distribution in major retail stores throughout North America, with Japan and Europe following shortly thereafter. Estimated street price is $99.99.

About M-Audio

M-Audio (formerly Midiman) is a leading provider of digital audio and MIDI solutions for today's electronic musicians and audio professionals, as well as recording enthusiasts and music hobbyists. Highly successful since its founding in 1988, the Company now has independent offices in the US, Canada, UK, Germany, France and Japan. M-Audio's ability to develop advanced technology into affordable products has led the Company to win some of the international audio community's highest praise and awards -- including being named the "industry's fastest-growing company" for the past two years by Music Trades magazine. The Company recently launched its Consumer Audio Division, bringing professional-quality audio to the consumer market.

U.S. media contact: Valerie Foster at (408) 855-8608 x102 or valerie@shotwellpr.com.

High-res images of M-Audio products are available at www.m-audio.com/company/images.php.

M-Audio and Sonica Theater are trademarks or registered trademarks of M-Audio.

M-Audio USA: 45 E. Saint Joseph Street Arcadia, CA 91006-2861 Tel: (626) 445-2842 Fax: (626) 445-7564 www.m-audio.com info@m-audio.com

M-Audio UK: Unit 5, Saracen Industrial Estate, Mark Rd Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP2 7BJ England Tel: 44 (0) 1442 41 6590 Fax: 44 (0) 1442 24 6832 www.maudio.co.uk info@maudio.co.uk

M-Audio Germany: Kuhallmand 34 D-74613 Ohringen Germany Tel: 49 7941 98 7000 Fax: 49 7941 98 70070 www.m-audio.de info@m-audio.de

M-Audio Canada:1400 St. Jean Baptiste Ave., #150 Quebec City, QC G2E 5B7 Tel: (418) 872-0444 Fax: (418) 872-0034 www.m-audio.ca info@m-audio.ca

M-Audio Japan: 2-18-10 Maranouchi Naka-Ku, Nagoya Japan 460-0002 Tel: 81-52-218-3375 Fax: 81-52-218-0875 Web: www.m-audio.co.jp info@m-audio.co.jp

M-Audio France: Unit 5, Saracen Industrial Estate, Mark Rd Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP2 7BJ England Tel: 0810 001 105 (Azur) Fax: 0820 000 731 (Indigo) www.m-audio-france.com

M-Audio Latin-America: 45 E. Saint Joseph Street Arcadia, CA 91006-2861 Tel: (949) 766-7589 Fax: (949) 766-7590 cadams@m-audio.com

Contact:

     Contact: Valerie Foster
     Company: Shotwell PR
     Voice: 408-855-8608 x102 
     Email: valerie@shotwellpr.com