Creative Technology, a leading designer of audio and multimedia solutions, this week introduced its new Sound Core 3D multi-core sound and voice system-on-chip aimed at mainboards as well as inexpensive consumer electronics devices. The Sound Core3D is available in two configurations: An HD audio configuration for PC products and an embedded configuration for consumer electronic products.

Sound Core3D is Creative’s first sound and voice processor to integrate an array of high-performance digital signal processor (DSP) cores and a high-quality HD audio codec on one chip. Sound Core3D incorporates Creative’s Quartet DSP with four independent processor cores, 6-channel 24-bit 102dB digital-to-analog converters, 4-channel 24-bits 101dB analog-to-digital converters, integrated headphone amplifier-out, digital microphone interface, S/PDIF inputs and outputs and general purpose inputs and outputs (GPIO) all in a compact 56-pin QFP package.  Sound Core3D has been certified for Dolby Digital decode, which is available on a product-by-product basis depending upon specific customer implementation of the chip.

The Sound Core3D processors power DSP algorithms to drive CrystalVoice processing, THX TruStudio Pro playback enhancement and an additional advanced audio toolbox of algorithms. CrystalVoice features technologies that are specially designed to deliver crystal clear vocal fidelity in video conferencing, multiplayer games and online chats. 

“We designed a sound and voice processor that will enable our OEM partners to deliver the highest quality Sound Blaster audio ever available for a motherboard while also bringing a new level of quality to sound and voice processing to consumer electronics products. With Sound Core3D we deliver a versatile chip that can deliver the highest performance voice processing and audio playback from a single chip,” said Steve Erickson, vice president and general manager of audio and video products at Creative Labs.

Gigabyte Technology will be among the first mainboards makers to integrate the new audio processor into its mainboards.

“We are excited to continue our long-standing relationship with Creative to give our customers the best-sounding HD audio and voice processing available,” said Jackson Hsu, director of product planning division of motherboard business unit at Gigabyte.

Tags: Creative Technology, Creative Labs, SoundBlaster, Sound Core3D, Gigabyte