MACWORLD EXPO, SAN FRANCISCO, CA - January 7 1997 - SmartSound For Multimedia 1.5, a major new version of the ultimate soundtrack creation tool from Sonic Desktop Software, will be released in March 1997, according to Kevin Klingler, CEO.

SmartSound For Multimedia features an innovative graphical approach to audio that anyone can use to create highly customized, movie-quality soundtracks in minutes. Several new and exciting features will make the process of creating soundtracks for any multimedia project, web site or video even easier, significantly increasing the power and flexibility of this breakthrough audio software, Klingler said.

The new features include the ability to view Quicktime movie thumbnails, which are displayed on a timeline, automatically create a custom soundtrack and then export the movie with soundtrack attached. "This powerful new capability is unique in the industry because it significantly streamlines the process of adding customized audio to video clips" according to Klingler, a former film and television composer. Additionally, the new version offers support for RealAudio, allowing users to export a custom soundtrack in RealAudio format for fast download times or use with a RealAudio server on the web.

Other new features include a "Loop" mode and tools that automatically create loopable segments, importing/exporting AU and Sound Designer II formats and exporting various compression formats including IMA. IMA compressed files take up 25% the space of regular audio files allowing delivery of high quality audio over the Internet - 4 times faster.

"These features and RealAudio support make SmartSound For Multimedia an invaluable new tool for anyone creating web sites with audio content. With SmartSound Version 1.5, web site authors can create highly customized audio environments for their site and greatly reduce the download time of the audio for their visitors" Klingler states.

Additional features include digital recording capability that allows users to record their own audio and add it to the soundtracks they create with SmartSound and a timeline display in both time (minutes/seconds) and SMPTE (standard time reference for video).

Klingler says "The response to SmartSound For Multimedia version 1.0 was tremendous, generating four - and five - star reviews in over a dozen of the top industry publications. This new version builds on that success and continues our commitment to give the typical Macintosh user the ability to create customized, professional quality soundtracks, quickly and easily. Its powerful new web enhancements make the process of adding audio to web sites significantly easier. Other new features, such as scoring Quicktime movies and digital recording, will prove invaluable to both professional multimedia authors and consumer enthusiasts alike".

Sonic Desktop Software, The Soundtrack Company, is the developer and marketer of the SmartSound family of audio software products that help the average computer user create stunning, professional quality soundtracks quickly and easily. The company's products, available for the Macintosh, Power Macintosh, Windows 95 and Windows 3.1, include SmartSound Special Edition, SmartSound Showcase, SmartSound For Multimedia, and the SmartSound Audio Palette series of music and sound effects library add-ons.