Company Contact: TORONTO: AED Bryan Del Rizzo VANCOUVER: AED Advanced Gravis OTC BBS: GRVSF Computer Technology 604/431-5020 x1082 CES '95 Booth #6938 South 6 Advanced Gravis Introduces The UltraSound ACE New Card Aces the Competition by Offering Owners of All 8 and 16-Bit Sound Cards an Affordable Way to Upgrade to Wavetable Synthesis and Enhanced Digital Audio VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- January 06, 1995 -- Advanced Gravis Computer Technology Ltd. has announced the latest addition to its UltraSound line of sound cards, the UltraSound ACE, an Audio Card Enhancer. Unlike other wavetable upgrade cards on the market, UltraSound ACE does not require any special connectors or adaptors and is the only one that works with any 8 or 16-bit sound card. Instead, UltraSound ACE plugs directly into an expansion slot on the PC and co-exists with the sound card already installed. In addition to offering 32 voices of professional wavetable synthesis, UltraSound ACE also adds the benefits of 16-bit, multichannel digital audio, all for an expected street price of under $100. Sound cards that use older FM synthesis technologies result in artificial sound reproduction that is generally unkind to the human ear. The UltraSound ACE offers realistic sound reproduction by using digitally recorded samples of real instruments. The net result is more realistic and natural music reproduction. And, unlike other wavetable upgrade sound cards that have a fixed instrument set in a non-changeable ROM chip, UltraSound ACE features a unique RAM-based wavetable system. Consumers can edit any of the existing instrument and sound effects patches, or they can create new sounds that supplement the standard General MIDI patch set of 192 instruments that is included with UltraSound ACE. Today, virtually all other wavetable upgrade cards require a special 26-pin connector that the majority of PC sound cards do not have. For owners of such cards that include Sound Blaster Basic, Sound Blaster Pro and compatibles, there has been no viable upgrade or add-on path. With the introduction of UltraSound ACE, the only upgrade card that works with any FM sound card, Advanced Gravis has given consumers and retailers a universal solution that is both affordable and logical. The UltraSound ACE is quick and easy to install. The DOS and Windows 3.1 software installation is completely automatic and optimizes the system for the best combinations. To ensure its universal ease of use, UltraSound ACE has also been independently tested and certified by PCTest Corporation* with the most popular hardware and software available. Over 50 computer configurations (including 21 different sound cards) were tested to ensure compatibility and ease of installation. "The UltraSound ACE demonstrates Gravis' continuing commitment to producing high quality, yet economically priced multimedia solutions," said Grant Russell, President of Advanced Gravis. "For consumers who desire to upgrade their current FM card, but do not want to sacrifice compatibility or savings, the UltraSound ACE is the perfect solution at a wonderful price point. Adding to the ACE’s appeal is the inclusion of a CD-ROM with over 100 megabytes of additional software. More than 10 popular games including DOOM and Jazz Jackrabbit are included, all of which have dynamic UltraSound soundtracks. Powerful Windows-based music programs including MidiSoft Recording Session and Power Chords are also included to allow consumers to experience the depth and realism of wavetable music synthesis. With all the bonus software, consumers will realize the benefits of the UltraSound ACE immediately and appreciate the superior music and sound support from the multitude of games and commercial applications that support the UltraSound music and gaming standard." The UltraSound ACE works with all 386 and higher IBM PCs and compatible computers and is designed to work with any 8-bit or 16-bit Sound Blaster or compatible sound card. UltraSound ACE features a 5.6 megabyte General MIDI patch set and 512K of onboard memory, and supports applications written for Windows 3.1, Sound Blaster, Roland MT-32, General MIDI and UltraSound. Stereo connector cables are also included. In addition to the UltraSound ACE, Advanced Gravis Computer Technology Ltd. also designs, manufactures and markets high quality microcomputer peripherals including UltraSound MAX, Phoenix Flight & Weapons Control System, Analog Pro Joystick, PC GamePad , MouseStick II and Mac GamePad . * PCTest Corporation was founded in 1990 and provides testing services for hardware and software manufacturers, specializing in multimedia products. Their clients include such diverse companies as Intel, Virgin Interactive, Sierra On-Line, Compton's New Media, Papyrus, and Dynamix. For more information, please contact PCTest Corporation at (503) 590-4650 .