QSound Labs Inc, the Calgary, Alberta-based surround sound specialist has released QMixer95, software which it claims can convert mono samples into better-than-stereo sound effects on the fly. The 32-bit library is aimed at multimedia publishers willing to trade some processor overhead in exchange for saving space on their CD-ROMs. Rather than the designer having to store a series of stereo effects, the single mono sample can be manipulated in real time. QSound claims a near 360 degree audio environment. The product is initially going to be of most use to book-type CD-ROM publishers rather than those developing fast- paced arcade games. Generating four simultaneous sound channels will take 5% to 7% of a 60MHz Pentium’s capacity, which could otherwise be devoted to rendering graphics. QSound acknowledges this is the case and says that the first products to use QMixer95 will be from book publishers using CD-ROM. Games programmers are better off using pre-processed QSound effects, rather than trying to build them on the fly. Prices were not given. The company says the software is licensed on a per-product or fixed-license basis depending on the individual project.
