AMD Opteron™ Processors Used By Grammy® Winners Mark Knopfler And Chuck Ainlay For Best Surround Sound Album “Brothers In Arms – 20th Anniversary Edition”

— Dire Straits’ classic recording remixed for 5.1 surround on AMD64 processor-based digital audio workstations —

LOS ANGELES -- February 14, 2006 --At the 48th annual Grammy® Awards ceremony in Los Angeles last week, AMD64 Masters Group member Chuck Ainlay, AMD64 Premier Artist Mark Knopfler and mastering guru Bob Ludwig took home the Grammy for “Best Surround Sound Album” for their 5.1 surround sound re-mix and mastering of the Dire Straits classic album, Brothers In Arms – 20th Anniversary Edition.

Brothers In Arms – 20th Anniversary Edition was remixed last year on AMD Opteron™ processor-based digital audio workstations using Microsoft® Windows® XP Pro operating system and Steinberg’s Nuendo media production software at Knopfler’s British Grove Studio in London.

The original stereo recording of Brothers in Arms was released in 1986 and was one of the first all digital recordings for the new compact disc format.

“I still use and strongly believe in much of the older analog equipment for premium sound,” said Mark Knopfler. “However, there are many clear advantages in harnessing digital technology with analog equipment. I like to balance the best of the old with the best of the new and in my opinion, AMD represents the best of the new.”

“For each song we transferred up to 120 tracks from the original digital master, analog slave and safety reels in high resolution 24-bit, 96kHz surround audio using the AMD Opteron processor-based workstation running Nuendo,” said Chuck Ainlay, co-producer and engineer of the surround mix for the Brothers In Arms – 20th Anniversary Edition. “This gave us the power and flexibility to run and automate surround panning and effects under a heavy load with ease and confidence. We could concentrate on the music without thinking about the technology.”

“AMD’s commitment to the entertainment industry is to help balance artistic performance with reliable production power,” said Charlie Boswell, director of Digital Media and Entertainment, for AMD. “By focusing on the needs of customers like 2006 Grammy Award winners Mark Knopfler and Chuck Ainlay, we are increasingly able to raise the bar on achieving this balance.”

Related Links:
# AMD LIVE!™: More about AMD and Chuck Ainlay


About AMD64
The AMD64 processor platform is the gold standard for 64-bit computing. AMD64’s Direct Connect Architecture evolves industry standards to deliver break-through performance on single- and dual-core processors, reducing bottlenecks inherent in traditional front-side bus architectures. AMD64 technology is also designed to enhance the security of computing environments by integrating Enhanced Virus Protection* technology enabled by advanced anti-virus features in current versions of Linux®, Microsoft® Windows® and Solaris operating systems. Today, 90 percent of the top 100 and more than 45 percent of the top 500 of the Forbes Global 2000 companies or their subsidiaries are using AMD64 technology. Since their 2003 introduction, AMD64 processors have earned more than 160 industry awards and the support of more than 2,000 OEMs, hardware and software developers, system builders and distributors. For more information on the AMD64 processor platform, see The AMD64 processor platform is the gold standard for 64-bit computing. AMD64’s Direct Connect Architecture evolves industry standards to deliver break-through performance on single- and dual-core processors, reducing bottlenecks inherent in traditional front-side bus architectures. AMD64 technology is also designed to enhance the security of computing environments by integrating Enhanced Virus Protection* technology enabled by advanced anti-virus features in current versions of Linux®, Microsoft® Windows® and Solaris operating systems. Today, 90 percent of the top 100 and more than 45 percent of the top 500 of the Forbes Global 2000 companies or their subsidiaries are using AMD64 technology. Since their 2003 introduction, AMD64 processors have earned more than 160 industry awards and the support of more than 2,000 OEMs, hardware and software developers, system builders and distributors. For more information on the AMD64 processor platform, see www.amd.com/amd64.

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