| Modules suitable for audio effectors, etc.
| Effective for DSP-based audio projects
| Provides expansion board 'Pin' that provides additional functions

Analog Devices announced today the launch of the SHARC Audio Module (ADZS-SC589-MINI), a hardware/software platform that facilitates efficient product prototyping, development, and manufacturing of digital audio products.
Combining high-performance audio signal processing components with a comprehensive software development environment, SHARC audio modules are ideal for audio effects processors, multi-channel audio systems, MIDI synthesizers, and many other DSP-based audio projects.

Typically, when developing a product, considerable time and effort are required just for component selection, board prototyping, and basic software structure development. After that, additional efforts are required to solve various issues related to the product.

SHARC audio modules significantly simplify this development process by providing an audio platform that combines a wide range of analog and digital I/O choices with a basic software package and development environment. Not only can it be used as a standalone system on its own, it is also expandable, making it useful for developing custom I/O and control surfaces.

“The SHARC Audio Module is the ideal central hub for developing audio processing devices,” said Brewster LaMacchia, CEO of Clockworks. “It enables the development of a wide range of highly functional, custom I/O peripherals in a fraction of the time it would take to design an entire system from the ground up.”

The core component of the SHARC audio module is the ADSP-SC589 processor from Analog Devices. This audio processing engine features two 500MHz SHARC+ DSP cores and an ARM Cortex-A5 core. The processor is coupled with a set of system peripherals, including:

▲2 x 2Gbit DDR3 memory ▲1 x 512Mbit SPI flash memory ▲UART (MIDI and other purposes) ▲SigmaDSP ADAU1761 96kHz, 24bit audio codec ▲Gigabit Ethernet ▲S/PDIF and 1/8” stereo jack ▲USB OTG ▲HS ▲AD2425W A2B multi-channel audio interface ▲2 x 64-pin expansion connectors

In addition to the core SHARC audio module, ADI also offers expansion boards called 'Fins' to provide additional functionality. The Audio Project Pin (ADZS-AUDIOPROJECT) is a MIDI and audio gear/FX daughter card that provides 1/4” stereo I/O, additional connectivity, and a control surface for expanded signal accessibility to the SHARC Audio Module.

“The SHARC Audio Module platform and its support for the Faust audio DSP language from Graeme University allowed us to quickly port our audio synthesis and processing algorithms to a powerful and capable hardware platform,” said Pat Scandalis, CEO of moForte. “The audio project pins provide the most complete set of I/O for us to work with.”

The SHARC audio module provides a compact, cost-effective foundation platform supported by an optimized software and tools ecosystem, allowing developers to focus more on developing their algorithms and user interfaces.

The ADZS-SC589-MINI and ADZS-AUDIOPROJECT are currently available and are priced at $195 and $95 each, respectively.