The AMT8 is based on Emagic's successful Unitor8, the 8 x 8 MIDI interface/synchronizer, but without the SMPTE synchronization. The AMT8 can be mixed or stacked with any Unitor8/Unitor8MkII combination and includes Emagic's unique Active MIDI Transmission (AMT) technology. This ensures that AMT8/Unitor8 systems driven by AMT-compatible MIDI software will provide superior timing quality, equivalent to the timing of hardware based sequencers. Up to 8 Emagic interfaces can be stacked on a single RS-232, RS-422 or USB port.

The AMT8 (Active MIDI Transmitter) is the ideal MIDI interface for the versatile "tape-less" studio. Digital audio and MIDI are recorded and edited in one computer by software such as Logic Audio. Video is internally synchronized using QuickTime or AVI. Additionally, the AMT8 is the right choice with which to expand existing Unitor8 systems.

Logic Audio Version 4.0.1 or higher is required in order to use AMT8 with the USB connection found on the latest Macintosh computers. The latest updates are available at http://www.emagic.de/english/support/download/update.html

Feature List for the AMT8

• Mac compatible (AMT, MTP emulation and OMS)
• Windows 95/98 compatible (AMT, MME)
• Ready for Windows 2000
• AMT in conjunction with AMT compatible software (e.g. Logic Audio)
• MME compatible multi-client MIDI driver (multiple midi programs can use different MIDI ports simultaneously)
• 8 independent MIDI Inputs with Activity LED
• 8 independent MIDI Outputs with Activity LED
• 8 units per port* (mixed AMT8/Unitor8/Unitor8 MkII systems possible)
• Stand Alone Operation with 32 Patches
• Connection Activity LEDs (Mac/PC/Network)
• Panic/Patch button
• RS-422 connection for Macintosh (cascade connection for PC)
• RS-232 connection for PC (cascade connection for Mac)
• USB connection for new PowerMacintoshs (PC drivers in development)
• Unitor8 Control Software for Mac/Windows 95/98 included
• External Power Supply included

AMT - Active MIDI Transmission

Active MIDI Transmission is an Emagic innovation that provides a measurable, and more importantly, audible improvement of MIDI timing. Here's how we achieved this new level of timing precision: A segment of the sequencing engine of AMT compatible software, (e.g. Logic Audio), is put into the MIDI interface, (AMT8 or Unitor8 MkII), where it takes care of sending the MIDI events to the individual outputs with the highest possible timing accuracy. At the same time, the transfer of data from the computer to the interface is optimized with extreme efficiency by sending notes in parcels during the pauses between the musical events. These parcels are then unpacked in the interface and sent to the individual outputs at precisely the required time. Discover for yourself why the audible difference in timing has gotten the professional world so excited about AMT technology.

Timing Comparison

8-Port Interfaces

Stacked Systems

Stackable and Compatible

Emagic MIDI interfaces are fully compatible with any standard MIDI software under Mac and Windows 95/98 (drivers for Windows NT and Windows 2000 are in development). Unitor8 MkII and AMT8 include a USB (universal serial bus) connector and can therefore be used with Power Macintosh computers that come without a serial port. Up to eight devices can be stacked and they will function like one big 64x64 MIDI interface (AMT compatible software required). In any set-up Unitor8, Unitor8 MkII and AMT8 can be combined.

* Mac: up to 192 MIDI ports (using 2 serial ports and USB).
Windows 95: limited to 11 MIDI Ports.
Windows 98: 64 MIDI Ports (ready for more ports with future driver versions).

Computer Mode or Stand Alone

An Emagic interface system will continue to serve as the switchboard of your equipment set-up, even without the computer connected. Up to 32 freely programmable routing configurations, (patches), can be recalled with a program change command. In the unlikely event of notes sticking while in patch mode, the panic button will fix the problem.