SYPHA provides free access to the DAW Buyers Guide

SYPHA has just launched a powerful new website, http://DAWguide.com,aimed at the professional audio recording and editing market.

Those looking for high-quality, comprehensive, up-to-date andunbiased information on digital audio workstations, disk-basedmultitracks and tapeless recorders now have free online access toSYPHA's reference, the DAW Buyers Guide.

Visitors can browse through its entire database of over 250listings, or search for specific products by application, system type,host platform, audio quality, replay channels, cost range, manufacturerand system name. The standardized terminology and format makes foreasier comparisons between systems, and listings can be printed outusing a convenient print format.

The DAW Buyers Guide covers all types of DAW products, includingturnkey systems, card/unit and/or software packages, disk-basedmultitracks, and portable tapeless recorders. It covers the wholespectrum of audio recording and editing applications includingsemi-pro/project studio work, multitrack recording, editing, mixing andplayback, post-production for TV, video and film, radio production,field and location recording, editing and mastering for CD/DVD/SACD,and web content creation.

The DAW Buyers Guide aims to include not only every existing system,but those soon to be launched. The information provided takes the formof objective detailed listings gained from comprehensivequestionnaires, and summary listings where detailed listings are notpossible.

Detailed listings include target markets, hardware and softwarespecifications, operational features, interfacing with externaldevices, recording, playback, editing and mixing capabilities, librarymanagement, networking and file transfer, compatibility andinterchange, archiving and mastering, future development plans,customer support, typical configurations and costs, and suppliers'details with email and web links.

In addition to the product listings, an explanation of theterminology is provided, as are useful tips for potentialpurchasers.

Strict editorial control of the site is maintained by independentconsultant SYPHA, and visitors may keep up to date with developments atthe site, as well as other DAW-related news, by subscribing to the freeSYPHAnews monthly newsletter.

Visitors to http://DAWguide.com(or http://SYPHAonline.com) alsohave access to the NLE Buyers Guide. This covers the whole range ofcomputer-based nonlinear video editing products, as well as diskrecorders and servers aimed at video editing.

Background
Since 1989, SYPHA has collated and published information on randomaccess editing systems, visited leading facilities in the USA andEurope, and participated in numerous international trade events. In1989 SYPHA published "A Review of the Hard Disk Recording Market." In1990 it published the first edition of the Tapeless Audio Directory. In2000 this was relaunched as the DAW Buyers Guide, and in 2001 itmigrated to the Web at DAWguide.com.