Diamond Monster Sound MX400 Manufacturer : Diamond Multimedia Pricing: $99 Availability: Out Now Reviewed by: Date : April 20th 2000

MacroFX - Near-Field Proximity

Ok…so some of you guy's are now wondering what in the world MacroFX and EnvironmentFX technologies mean. Let's start with MacroFX.Well it simply means that DirectSound3D will position any 3D sound that is even as close as 20cm of the gamer. Normally, without MacroFX technology, DirectSound3D will not be able to position any 3D sound that is closer than one meter. Just imagine the gaming realism you find with sounds placed so close to your head! I guess the best thing about MacroFX is that all that the developers have to do is simply program sound effects close to the player. Thus leaving out all those complicated coding… Sensaura MacroFX provides a multi-zone system for 3D-sound synthesis and features five distinct proximal regions.

Zone 0: Far-distance mode- constant intensity.
Zone 1: Distant mode -obeys 1/Rn law.
Zone 2: Near-field FX algorithm - creates proportional effects close to the head
Zone 3: In the ear (whisper mode): left ear.
Zone 4: In the ear (whisper mode): right ear.
Zone 5: Inside the head.

MacroFX can be used to create some real cool 3D-sound effects for interactive games like,
· Whispering in the ear
· Ultra-close fly-by (for bullets, missiles, birds, bats, insects and so on)
· Wind noise (especially when skiing, running, cycling, falling etc.)

Well that is MacroFX… So the next time you hear a bullet whizzing past your ear or a bee buzzing close-by that was probably due to MacroFX technology.

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