Koji Oishi
Director of Korg Technology Development Headquarters Co., Ltd. I
studied sound signal processing etc at Yamazaki Yoshio laboratory at
Waseda University and joined Korg in 2002. Developed original DSD compatible playback & conversion application "AudioGate". For DSD 5.6 MHz live streaming, we will develop dedicated software and offer it free of charge.
Masato Kobayashi
Korg Technology Development Department, Engineering Doctor
Since joining Korg in 1986, he has worked on music workstation "M1" and software for PC. Software for DSD streaming playback "PrimeSeat" is responsible for programming to implement GUI and sound source downloading.
Since joining Korg in 1986, he has worked on music workstation "M1" and software for PC. Software for DSD streaming playback "PrimeSeat" is responsible for programming to implement GUI and sound source downloading.
DSD 5.6 MHz How to enjoy live streaming delivery Software edition
DSD 5.6 MHz The live streaming delivery is innovative, allowing everyone to access the best sound quality via PC and the Internet. In charge of this audio signal processing, it is Korg 's team known worldwide as electronic musical instrument maker to provide free software. Tsukishi Oishi and Masato Kobayashi will tell you the secrets of enjoying live concerts online.DSD technology brought up by instrument manufacturers
Why did you develop DSD sound recording and playback technology?
Koji Oishi : For electronic musical instrument manufacturers, sampling timbres of musical instruments is a very important task. The sampling quality must be high definition and available for long periods of time. In Korg, I borrowed a 1-bit recorder from Waseda Yoshio laboratory at Waseda University and recorded the piano sounds etc. Firstly, I made an engine to convert this DSD sound source to a PCM sound source for loading an electronic piano and recorded it on my own recorder We developed MR-1 and MR-1000. However, at that time it was a situation where I could not edit and play back the precious DSD 5.6 MHz sound source, so I designed a software "AudioGate" that can control the recorder.What software is AudioGate?
Koji Oishi : Software that can play, convert, and edit DSD sound sources. As well as those who use it as a player, of course, more people are using it as a converter that converts the on-hand CD sound source to DSD 2.8 MHz or DSD 5.6 MHz. It has long been known that the higher the sampling frequency, the lower the quantization bit number, the more the phase distortion and error when converting from digital to analog is suppressed, and the sound quality actually increases. One of the unique features of AudioGate is that such upconversion can be realized using PC's powerful CPU.What equipment is necessary to listen to the DSD sound source with AudioGate?
Koji Oishi : If you convert it to PCM etc., you can listen directly from the PC. However, in order to listen with the original DSD sound quality, DAC (digital analog converter) is indispensable. By combining Korg's DS-DAC series and AudioGate, DSD playback can be performed in real time while converting CD sound source to DSD. It is also convenient to be able to check the difference in sound quality between DSD 5.6 MHz and DSD 2.8 MHz while changing settings during playback.How is DSD related information gathering?
Koji Oishi : Alongside media such as Phile-web and AV Watch, somewhat maniac PS3 SACD.com also includes information on SACD and DSD discs. You can also collect information from keywords such as "AudioGate" "DSD distribution" "DSD live streaming" "DSD DAC" with Twitter's push notification application. For compatibility problems between equipment and drivers, we also refer to user reviews such as price.com.Is DSD spreading all over the world?
Koji Oishi : It is gradually recognized by American music fans, and in Europe, popularity is growing mainly in Germany and France. DSD fans are increasing in Hong Kong, especially in Asia. Nonetheless, Japan has consistently lead the world in this field. The delta - sigma modulation and 1 - bit audio in the background of DSD were born from research by the Japanese people, and Sony has promoted dissemination activities. Personally, I believe that the spirit of spirituality for the highest quality of audio mania in Japan also contributed to the growth of DSD.
Free software to listen to DSD live streaming
How to listen to the DSD 5.6 MHz live streaming delivery this time?
Masato Kobayashi : Software "PrimeSeat" specialized for live streaming is available for free. Since AudioGate 3, Korg has continued development research to pass 1 bit audio through the network. This PrimeSeat is equipped with a new network function such as downloading DSD live stream on AudioGate player which has demonstrated stability up to now.What software is PrimeSeat?
Masato Kobayashi : Since it is prerequisite software that connects directly to the Internet, I aimed for a player that can be used like a web browser. If you select a distributor from "Bookmark" which is similar to the URL box, information such as programs suitable for the content being played will be displayed on the screen. The volume, level meter, play button, metadata of the song are displayed at the bottom of the screen, and a converter function is also included. Although it is possible to listen while converting DSD 5.6 MHz and DSD 2.8 MHz mutually, PCM conversion is not possible, so please be sure to prepare the DAC.Compatibility with DAC?
Masato Kobayashi : PrimeSeat is software that can enjoy DSD streaming alone. Please be aware, however, that the DAC that can be connected is limited to Korg's DS-DAC series and Sony's PHA-2, PHA-3, UDA-1. Korg products are compatible with Windows and Mac, and Sony products are compatible with Windows only.Have you had any difficulties developing?
Masato Kobayashi : To play directly from the Internet, you need a buffer of different dimension from the local data. We stacked up huge buffers and made adjustments to the limit so that no waiting time as much as downloading would occur until playback. Since stable playback has become possible even in the Internet environment with a slow response, I think that the results will be reflected in future AudioGate.What is the prospect of PrimeSeat in the future?
Koji Oishi : If you have PrimeSeat and AudioGate, you will be able to open up a future that will allow seamless playback of local files and streaming. If you look at the distribution site of DSD sound source, now it is in the form of auditioning with a compressed sound source anywhere, but in the future you should not be able to ignore the need to preview the music with DSD sound quality. I think that this time DSD 5.6 MHz live streaming delivery will also be a catalyst to foster such technology.
The best music experience where the living room becomes the special seat
How about preparing for live streaming delivery?
Masato Kobayashi : First of all, please check whether the driver such as AudioGate for Korg, Hi - Res Audio Player for Sony etc properly controls DAC on PC. After downloading PrimeSeat, just click on the preset bookmark and wait for the performance. Please select either DSD 5.6 MHz or DSD 2.8 MHz while consulting the CPU power before live streaming delivery starts.When trouble occurs?
Mr. Kobayashi : In rare cases, the security software may block the port and cause a decrease in speed. If the sound is interrupted, please also review the security software settings. Wired connection is better than wireless over wireless in terms of communication speed and stability. Also, if a network error occurs at PrimeSeat startup, it may be blocked by the proxy server in the company. If in doubt, consult with your network administrator and consider taking measures such as detouring.How to use commitment?
Koji Oishi : When volume control of PrimeSeat is maximized, the volume signal is bypassed. Especially for audio fans who prefer pure sounds, if you maximize PrimeSeat's volume and adjust the volume with analog, you can enjoy the uploaded DSD signal directly with bit perfect.What kind of information is on the screen?
Koji Oishi : PrimeSeat's charm is that content producers like the web browser can deliver various information on the screen. Whether you are waiting for the performance or during the performance, please enjoy the charm of live while browsing the concert program etc. I think that the fun side of the live streaming delivery will double by continuing to deliver various readings and visual contents on the delivery side.Message for the opening of the concert.
Koji Oishi : The meaning of PrimeSeat is "special seats". In the concert venue, microphones are installed at more ideal places than the actual audience seats and sounds are collected, so high-quality sounds are delivered in an ideal balance. Please enjoy this unprecedented and exciting music experience to your heart's content with special seats in the living room.
