TEWKSBURY, MA, Sep. 23, 2009 (Marketwire) --

TEWKSBURY, MA -- (Marketwire) -- 09/23/09 -- Avid (NASDAQ: AVID) today introduced Digidesign® Eleven(TM) Rack, a standalone hardware unit that combines a hyper-realistic guitar amp and effects processor with a high-quality computer recording audio interface, to create the ultimate recording and performance solution for guitar players. Bundled with the industry-standard studio mixing software Pro Tools LE®, Eleven Rack empowers performing or recording guitarists to focus on what's most important -- great tone, great recordings and great performances. Unlike other tone simulation devices, Eleven Rack provides guitarists with three distinct solutions in one product that:

--  Replicate everything guitarists love about vintage and modern
    amplifiers -- without the hassle of storing or maintaining them;
--  Create the ability to record incredible guitar tone without needing to
    re-record a great performance due to bad tone; and,
--  Reproduce tones captured in the studio in live performances with
    unprecedented ease and flexibility.
    

Industry Reaction

Recording artists and producers that got a sneak peek of Eleven Rack have had positive feedback to how it will change the industry.

James Michael, a producer for acts such as Motley Crue, Meatloaf and the Scorpions, said, "I love it. This was the big missing link and is going to change everything. You'll never see me in another session with racks and racks of amps. This is what I want to use for a number of reasons: imprinting the information onto the audio file, the ability to record the DI and the actual processed stuff together. It's incredible. This is what I'll use making records now."

And, Producer and Recording Artist Buddy Miller, who has worked with such acts as Robert Plant, Alison Krauss and Emmylou Harris, said, "The greatest part about all of it is that it sounds and feels right. It makes you want to play, and that's a good thing. And it's just simple. That advantage of getting back to the sound is just really great."

Revolutionary Tone Clone

Guitarists know that great guitar tone inspires great performances. Eleven Rack delivers a new level of tone realism with a broad range of emulations of legendary guitar amplifiers. A unique Tone Cloning process differentiates Eleven Rack from other modeling products by capturing every stage of the signal path -- point-to-point -- ensuring exceptionally authentic guitar amp tone. Now, guitar players can experience incredible realism, while re-creating the tone and feel of playing through a mic'd guitar amp.