Sony announces ACID Pro 5

Sony has announced ACID Pro 5 - scheduled for release on November 8th, 2004.

Enhancements include two new patent-pending technologies: The Media Manager is a powerful new technology for browsing and tagging media assets that greatly enhances the user's ability to track, label and store media files including loops, video and stills. Additionally, the unique Groove Mapping and Groove Cloning technologies provide enhanced ways for users to sonically interact with their loops and samples collection.

New features in ACID Pro 5 software include:

• ACID Media Manager System - Patent-pending, new media management technology provides control over project and archived assets, including customizable searches and loop tagging.
• Groove Quantization - Patent-pending technologies incorporate sophisticated Groove Mapping and Groove Cloning features for morphing existing loops and samples into new fresh, new sounds.
• VST Effect Plug-In Hosting - Expanded ability to apply VST plug-ins at the track or project level.
• ReWire Device Support - ACID Pro 5 includes ReWire "synth" support so users can incorporate ACID Pro 5 software as a plug-in or instrument within other applications that support ReWire mixer technology.

Additional ACID Pro 5 software features include:

• Folder tracks for enhanced project-wide production.
• Tempo-based DirectX effects.
• Disc-at-once CD burning.
• MIDI editing enhancements (snap-to-scale MIDI composition).
• Real-time event reverse.
• Enhanced time stretching and transient detection.
• Metronome for providing a virtual "click-track".
• Customizable keyboard mapping.
• Bus-to-bus routing.
• Multiple docking windows.
• Flash .swf format import.
• Enhanced media previewing.
• Customizable UI and XP theme support.
• Includes more than 1,000 new loops and samples.
• Free bonus software: Includes the XPRESS KEYBOARDS VSTi bundle (B4 Xpress , Pro-54 Xpress , FM7 Xpress plug-ins) from Native Instruments software; a $119.00 value.

ACID Pro 5 software will be available in November with a suggested retail price of $499.95. Users of previous versions of ACID Pro software can purchase an upgrade to version 5 for $149.95. ACID Music Studio users may upgrade to ACID Pro 5 software for $299.95.