BIAS
Encyclopedia
BIAS is a privately held corporation based in Petaluma, California.
") from a hardware sampler to a Macintosh
computer, editing the samples, and returning them to the sampler for playback/performance. Word of this new utility spread quickly, and soon colleagues were requesting copies to use themselves. Features were requested and implemented – more features requested and implemented, and the utility evolved into a commercial sample editing application, “Peak
”, which remains as BIAS’ flagship product to this day. BIAS Inc. was founded in 1994 in Sausalito, California, by Steve and Christine Berkley.
is a full-featured professional stereo sample editor – and BIAS’ flagship product.
Peak's approach to editing differs from most DAW (Digital Audio Workstation
) applications, as it edits directly at the file level. Rather than creating a “session” or “project” and then importing the audio files to be edited, Peak opens files directly. Once a file has been edited as desired, it is simply saved, rather than having to be “bounced” or exported from a session/project. This fundamental difference from a DAW is what gives Peak the ability to edit digital audio so quickly. Its focused editing environment makes it a complementary tool to many DAWs, video editing, and multimedia applications that offer limited editing features. Peak is offered in a full-featured professional edition (Peak Pro), a basic edition (Peak LE), and a limited-feature edition often included with other manufacturer’s hardware/software products (Peak Express). Peak runs on Mac OS X
computer systems.
, DirectX
, RTAS
(AudioSuite), and VST
plug-in formats, as well as a stand-alone edition – and runs on Mac OS X and Windows XP
computer systems.
Plug-ins included:
spectral analyzer, spectrogram
, phase scope
, and pan power
metering
The Master Perfection Suite is included with Peak Pro XT, and runs on Mac OS X computer systems.
foundation allows it to synchronize with digital video and QuickTime movies for mono, stereo, and 5.1 surround sound mixing. Two editions are offered: “Deck” – a full-featured professional DAW, and “Deck LE” – a limited feature, entry level DAW – both run on Mac OS 8.6, Mac OS 9
, and Mac OS X
computer systems.
in Anaheim, CA.
11/96 – BIAS Introduces Peak LE – entry level stereo editor
1/97 – SFX Machine 1.0 multi-effects plug-in introduced
9/98 – BIAS acquires Deck DAW from Macromedia
12/98 – Peak 2.0 introduced – adds DAE
, TDM
, AudioSuite, QuickTime movie, Premiere
plug-in support, and CD burning
8/99 – BIAS Brings Peak to BeOS
1/00 – Peak 2.1 adds ASIO driver support – expands compatibility with third-party audio hardware
9/00 – Peak 2.5 introduced – adds VST plug-in support
1/01 – Deck 2.7 adds ASIO driver support – expands compatibility with third-party audio hardware
1/01 – BIAS introduces Deck LE – entry level DAW
7/01 – BIAS introduces Deck 3.0 – adds real-time VST plug-in support
8/01 – Vbox 1.0 effect plug-in routing matrix introduced
11/01 – Peak DV 3.0 introduced – first pro audio application for Mac OS X
1/02 – Peak and Peak LE 3.0 introduced – run on Mac OS 8.6, 9.x, X
1/02 – BIAS introduces SuperFreq paragraphic equalizer plug-in for Mac OS 8.6, 9.x, X
6/02 – BIAS introduces Deck 3.5 – the first professional DAW to run on Mac OS X adds 5.1 surround mixing
7/02 – Entire BIAS product line now runs on Mac OS X
8/02 – BIAS introduces Vbox 1.1 – runs on Mac OS X and Windows operating systems
12/02 – BIAS introduces SoundSoap – runs on Mac OS X and Windows XP operating systems
8/03 – Peak 4.0 introduced – adds direct CD burning, Audio Unit support, sample-based ImpulseVerb, and Sqweez compressor plug-in
5/04 – SoundSoap Pro introduced – runs on Mac OS X and Windows XP
10/04 – SoundSoap 2 introduced – adds Click & Crackle removal, audio enhancement, and Audio Unit/RTAS/DirectX formats, drag and drop file support
8/05 – BIAS introduces Peak Pro 5 – adds industry-leading sample rate conversion and graphical waveform view to playlist, DDP
export capability
9/05 – BIAS introduces Peak Pro XT & Peak LE 5 – XT power bundle includes Peak Pro 5, SoundSoap 2, SoundSoap Pro, and Master Perfection Suite plug-ins
6/06 – Peak 5.2 introduced – Universal version runs natively on PPC
and Intel
-based Macintosh computers
11/06 – SoundSoap 2.1 introduced – Universal version runs natively on PPC and Intel-based Macintosh computers
History
Composer/software engineer Steve Berkley initially created Peak for editing the samples used in his musical compositions. Peak started out as a utility for transferring content ("samplesSampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
") from a hardware sampler to a Macintosh
Macintosh
The Macintosh , or Mac, is a series of several lines of personal computers designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. The first Macintosh was introduced by Apple's then-chairman Steve Jobs on January 24, 1984; it was the first commercially successful personal computer to feature a mouse and a...
computer, editing the samples, and returning them to the sampler for playback/performance. Word of this new utility spread quickly, and soon colleagues were requesting copies to use themselves. Features were requested and implemented – more features requested and implemented, and the utility evolved into a commercial sample editing application, “Peak
BIAS Peak
Peak is a digital audio editing application for the Macintosh, used primarily for stereo/mono recording, sample editing, creating loops, and CD mastering...
”, which remains as BIAS’ flagship product to this day. BIAS Inc. was founded in 1994 in Sausalito, California, by Steve and Christine Berkley.
Peak
PeakBIAS Peak
Peak is a digital audio editing application for the Macintosh, used primarily for stereo/mono recording, sample editing, creating loops, and CD mastering...
is a full-featured professional stereo sample editor – and BIAS’ flagship product.
Peak's approach to editing differs from most DAW (Digital Audio Workstation
Digital audio workstation
A digital audio workstation is an electronic system designed solely or primarily for recording, editing and playing back digital audio. DAWs were originally tape-less, microprocessor-based systems such as the Synclavier and Fairlight CMI...
) applications, as it edits directly at the file level. Rather than creating a “session” or “project” and then importing the audio files to be edited, Peak opens files directly. Once a file has been edited as desired, it is simply saved, rather than having to be “bounced” or exported from a session/project. This fundamental difference from a DAW is what gives Peak the ability to edit digital audio so quickly. Its focused editing environment makes it a complementary tool to many DAWs, video editing, and multimedia applications that offer limited editing features. Peak is offered in a full-featured professional edition (Peak Pro), a basic edition (Peak LE), and a limited-feature edition often included with other manufacturer’s hardware/software products (Peak Express). Peak runs on Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
computer systems.
SoundSoap
SoundSoap is a noise reduction/audio restoration plug-in and stand-alone application. SoundSoap is designed to remove unwanted clicks, crackles, pops, hum, rumble, and broadband noise (such as tape hiss and HVAC system noise). It offers “one-click” noise reduction, and may also be manually fine-tuned for optimal results. SoundSoap includes Audio UnitsAudio Units
Audio Units are a system-level plug-in architecture provided by Core Audio in Mac OS X developed by Apple Computer. Audio Units are a set of application programming interface services provided by the operating system to generate, process, receive, or otherwise manipulate streams of audio in...
, DirectX
DirectX
Microsoft DirectX is a collection of application programming interfaces for handling tasks related to multimedia, especially game programming and video, on Microsoft platforms. Originally, the names of these APIs all began with Direct, such as Direct3D, DirectDraw, DirectMusic, DirectPlay,...
, RTAS
Real Time AudioSuite
Real-Time AudioSuite is a format of audio plug-in developed by Digidesign, currently Avid Technology for their Pro Tools LE, and Pro Tools M-Powered systems, although they can be run on Pro Tools HD and Pro Tools TDM systems. RTAS plug-ins use the processing power of the host computer rather than...
(AudioSuite), and VST
Virtual Studio Technology
Steinberg's Virtual Studio Technology is an interface for integrating software audio synthesizer and effect plugins with audio editors and hard-disk recording systems. VST and similar technologies use digital signal processing to simulate traditional recording studio hardware with software...
plug-in formats, as well as a stand-alone edition – and runs on Mac OS X and Windows XP
Windows XP
Windows XP is an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops and media centers. First released to computer manufacturers on August 24, 2001, it is the second most popular version of Windows, based on installed user base...
computer systems.
SoundSoap Pro
SoundSoap Pro is a professional-level noise reduction/audio restoration plug-in. It is based on the same advanced technology as SoundSoap, but offers a much more advanced user interface, with the ability to access and fine-tune many parameters not available in the standard version. In addition to removing clicks, crackles, pops, hum, rumble, and broadband noise (such as tape hiss and HVAC system noise), SoundSoap Pro also features an integrated noise gate. SoundSoap Pro includes Audio Units, RTAS/AudioSuite, and VST plug-in formats – and runs on Mac OS X and Windows XP computer systems.Master Perfection Suite
This suite of six effects processing plug-ins offers numerous features for mastering, sound design, and general audio processing.Plug-ins included:
- GateEx – a noise gateNoise gateA Noise Gate or gate is an electronic device or software that is used to control the volume of an audio signal. In its most simple form, a noise gate allows a signal to pass through only when it is above a set threshold: the gate is 'open'. If the signal falls below the threshold no signal is...
and downward expander - PitchCraft – pitch correctionPitch correctionPitch correction is the process of correcting the intonation of an audio signal without affecting other aspects of its sound. Pitch correction first detects the pitch of an audio signal , then calculates the desired change and modifies the audio signal accordingly...
/transpositionTransposition (music)In music transposition refers to the process, or operation, of moving a collection of notes up or down in pitch by a constant interval.For example, one might transpose an entire piece of music into another key...
with formantFormantFormants are defined by Gunnar Fant as 'the spectral peaks of the sound spectrum |P|' of the voice. In speech science and phonetics, formant is also used to mean an acoustic resonance of the human vocal tract...
change - Sqweez-3 & -5 - multiband linear phase compressorGas compressorA gas compressor is a mechanical device that increases the pressure of a gas by reducing its volume.Compressors are similar to pumps: both increase the pressure on a fluid and both can transport the fluid through a pipe. As gases are compressible, the compressor also reduces the volume of a gas...
/limiterAudio level compressionDynamic range compression, also called DRC or simply compression reduces the volume of loud sounds or amplifies quiet sounds by narrowing or "compressing" an audio signal's dynamic range... - Reveal – 7-in-1 analysis tool, with oscilloscopeOscilloscopeAn oscilloscope is a type of electronic test instrument that allows observation of constantly varying signal voltages, usually as a two-dimensional graph of one or more electrical potential differences using the vertical or 'Y' axis, plotted as a function of time,...
, peak/RMSRoot mean squareIn mathematics, the root mean square , also known as the quadratic mean, is a statistical measure of the magnitude of a varying quantity. It is especially useful when variates are positive and negative, e.g., sinusoids...
power history, peak/RMS metering,
spectral analyzer, spectrogram
Spectrogram
A spectrogram is a time-varying spectral representation that shows how the spectral density of a signal varies with time. Also known as spectral waterfalls, sonograms, voiceprints, or voicegrams, spectrograms are used to identify phonetic sounds, to analyse the cries of animals; they were also...
, phase scope
Lissajous curve
In mathematics, a Lissajous curve , also known as Lissajous figure or Bowditch curve, is the graph of a system of parametric equationswhich describe complex harmonic motion...
, and pan power
Panning (audio)
Panning is the spread of a sound signal into a new stereo or multi-channel sound field. A typical physical recording console pan control is a knob with a pointer which can be placed from the 8 o'clock dial position fully left to the 4 o'clock position fully right...
metering
- SuperFreq – 4, 6, 8, & 10 band paragraphic equalizersEqualizationEqualization, is the process of adjusting the balance between frequency components within an electronic signal. The most well known use of equalization is in sound recording and reproduction but there are many other applications in electronics and telecommunications. The circuit or equipment used...
- RepliQ – Linear phase EQ/spectral matching
The Master Perfection Suite is included with Peak Pro XT, and runs on Mac OS X computer systems.
Deck
Deck is a simple multitrack DAW (digital audio workstation) designed for working with digital audio. While Deck offers limited MIDI features – such as MIDI control of the integrated transport and mixing console, and the ability to import and play back a MIDI file in sync with digital audio – it is not a MIDI sequencing application. Deck excels in recording analog audio sources, such as musical instruments and microphones – as well as in multimedia and post-production, where its QuickTimeQuickTime
QuickTime is an extensible proprietary multimedia framework developed by Apple Inc., capable of handling various formats of digital video, picture, sound, panoramic images, and interactivity. The classic version of QuickTime is available for Windows XP and later, as well as Mac OS X Leopard and...
foundation allows it to synchronize with digital video and QuickTime movies for mono, stereo, and 5.1 surround sound mixing. Two editions are offered: “Deck” – a full-featured professional DAW, and “Deck LE” – a limited feature, entry level DAW – both run on Mac OS 8.6, Mac OS 9
Mac OS 9
Mac OS 9 is the final major release of Apple's Mac OS before the launch of Mac OS X. Introduced on October 23, 1999, Apple positioned it as "The Best Internet Operating System Ever," highlighting Sherlock 2's Internet search capabilities, integration with Apple's free online services known as...
, and Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
computer systems.
Product timeline
1/96 – Peak 1.0 debuts at NAMM ShowNAMM Show
The NAMM Show is one of the largest music product trade shows in the world, founded in 1901. It is held every January in Anaheim, California, USA, at the Anaheim Convention Center...
in Anaheim, CA.
11/96 – BIAS Introduces Peak LE – entry level stereo editor
1/97 – SFX Machine 1.0 multi-effects plug-in introduced
9/98 – BIAS acquires Deck DAW from Macromedia
12/98 – Peak 2.0 introduced – adds DAE
Digital audio editor
A digital audio editor is a computer application for audio editing, i.e. manipulating digital audio. Digital audio editors are the main software component of a digital audio workstation.-For use with music:...
, TDM
Target Disk Mode
Target Disk Mode is a boot mode unique to Macintosh computers.When a Mac that supports Target Disk Mode is started with the 'T' key held down, its operating system does not boot...
, AudioSuite, QuickTime movie, Premiere
Premiere
A premiere is generally "a first performance". This can refer to plays, films, television programs, operas, symphonies, ballets and so on. Premieres for theatrical, musical and other cultural presentations can become extravagant affairs, attracting large numbers of socialites and much media...
plug-in support, and CD burning
8/99 – BIAS Brings Peak to BeOS
BeOS
BeOS is an operating system for personal computers which began development by Be Inc. in 1991. It was first written to run on BeBox hardware. BeOS was optimized for digital media work and was written to take advantage of modern hardware facilities such as symmetric multiprocessing by utilizing...
1/00 – Peak 2.1 adds ASIO driver support – expands compatibility with third-party audio hardware
9/00 – Peak 2.5 introduced – adds VST plug-in support
1/01 – Deck 2.7 adds ASIO driver support – expands compatibility with third-party audio hardware
1/01 – BIAS introduces Deck LE – entry level DAW
7/01 – BIAS introduces Deck 3.0 – adds real-time VST plug-in support
8/01 – Vbox 1.0 effect plug-in routing matrix introduced
11/01 – Peak DV 3.0 introduced – first pro audio application for Mac OS X
1/02 – Peak and Peak LE 3.0 introduced – run on Mac OS 8.6, 9.x, X
1/02 – BIAS introduces SuperFreq paragraphic equalizer plug-in for Mac OS 8.6, 9.x, X
6/02 – BIAS introduces Deck 3.5 – the first professional DAW to run on Mac OS X adds 5.1 surround mixing
7/02 – Entire BIAS product line now runs on Mac OS X
8/02 – BIAS introduces Vbox 1.1 – runs on Mac OS X and Windows operating systems
12/02 – BIAS introduces SoundSoap – runs on Mac OS X and Windows XP operating systems
8/03 – Peak 4.0 introduced – adds direct CD burning, Audio Unit support, sample-based ImpulseVerb, and Sqweez compressor plug-in
5/04 – SoundSoap Pro introduced – runs on Mac OS X and Windows XP
10/04 – SoundSoap 2 introduced – adds Click & Crackle removal, audio enhancement, and Audio Unit/RTAS/DirectX formats, drag and drop file support
8/05 – BIAS introduces Peak Pro 5 – adds industry-leading sample rate conversion and graphical waveform view to playlist, DDP
Disc Description Protocol
Disc Description Protocol is a format for specifying the content of optical discs, including CDs and DVDs. It is commonly used for delivery of disc masters for duplication. The proprietary format is the property of DCA, Inc...
export capability
9/05 – BIAS introduces Peak Pro XT & Peak LE 5 – XT power bundle includes Peak Pro 5, SoundSoap 2, SoundSoap Pro, and Master Perfection Suite plug-ins
6/06 – Peak 5.2 introduced – Universal version runs natively on PPC
PowerPC
PowerPC is a RISC architecture created by the 1991 Apple–IBM–Motorola alliance, known as AIM...
and Intel
X86 architecture
The term x86 refers to a family of instruction set architectures based on the Intel 8086 CPU. The 8086 was launched in 1978 as a fully 16-bit extension of Intel's 8-bit based 8080 microprocessor and also introduced segmentation to overcome the 16-bit addressing barrier of such designs...
-based Macintosh computers
11/06 – SoundSoap 2.1 introduced – Universal version runs natively on PPC and Intel-based Macintosh computers