AMD64 Masters Group
The AMD64 Masters Group was created as part of AMD's approach
to providing technology that meets specific end-user needs. Initially providing
AMD with access, input and feedback into the workflows of enterprise-class
producers in the entertainment industry, AMD64 Masters Group members are
now providing their own testimony to the liberating power of AMD64 technology-based
creative tools!
AMD64 Masters Group members include Grammy™ Award winning and nominated
audio engineers:
...and motion picture pre-visualization pioneer Daniel
Gregoire of JAK Films (a division of Lucasfilm).
These masters are realizing significant performance benefits and greater
creative freedom using dual AMD Opteron™ processor-based digital audio
workstations (DAW), non-linear video editing, special-effects compositing
and 3D rendering systems. Dual AMD Opteron processor-based workstations
& servers feature Direct Connect Architecture, unbeatable 32-bit performance,
greatly improved reliability and 64-bit readiness. Running off-the-shelf
software, these systems are taking host-based digital content creation to
a new level.
Read
the Press Release |
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Phil
Ramone
“AMD Opteron processors provide incredible speed in a professional
environment. System dependability is always the hope of uninterrupted
work. It has met the new standards we dream of.”
Credits: Frank Sinatra, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Elton John, Barbra
Streisand |
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Elliot Scheiner
“I’ve been working with the dual AMD Opteron processor-based
DAW for many months now and I’ve found it to be remarkably reliable
and quick, and one of the most versatile box I’ve ever worked
with.”
Credits: Steely Dan, The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Flaming Lips, Beck |
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Frank Filipetti
“For me, it’s always been about speed.The main reason
I moved from Mac to Windows® was simply, irreversibly, about speed.This
machine has speed in spades.”
Credits: James Taylor, Rod Stewart, Barbra Streisand, Korn, Fuel,
Courtney Love and Hole, Luther Vandross, Luciano Pavarotti, Elton
John |
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George Massenburg
“I’ve had limited experience with high-end PCs, so I was
unprepared for the performance of the AMD Opteron processor-based
DAW64. Various applications, starting with development environments
for both Nuendo and Pro Tools, have moved onto the platform without
a hitch. We were delighted to find that one of our main graphics applications
ran incredibly fast on the DAW64.”
Credits: Linda Rondstadt, Little Feat, Earth, Wind & Fire, James
Taylor, Lyle Lovett |
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Fred Maher
“The dual AMD Opteron processor-based system has provided me
with unbelievable performance and is stable as you push it to the
limit. For me, that means more plug-ins, more virtual instruments
and total stability throughout the life of the project. And that's
just in 32-bit mode!”
Credits: Matthew Sweet, Scritti Politti, The Breeders, Lloyd Cole,
Korn, Ice Cube |
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Chuck Ainlay
“This machine has got untapped power and speed. Even with tons
of tracks and plug-ins running at 96k, the AMD Opteron™ processor-based
DAW gives new meaning to the words ‘reliable’ and ‘pro’.”
Credits: Mark Knopfler, George Strait, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Peter
Frampton, Emmylou Harris |
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Robert Hill
“I usually work totally ‘inside the box.’ This means
lots of MIDI, lots of virtual instruments, and tons of effects. I
have always pushed my computers to the absolute limit. With my new
AMD Opteron processor-based system, I have not yet found that limit.”
Credits: Everlast, Cypress Hill, Xzibit, Northern State, Zayra |
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Daniel Gregoire
One of the film industry’s most sophisticated and successful
franchises, George Lucas’ Star Wars saga, is scheduled to return
to theaters in 2005 after a complex creative process that is being
helped along by production tools that rely on AMD Opteron™ processors.
“Just a year ago, we had to spend much more time optimizing
our 3D projects so we could simply complete our work,” says
Daniel Gregoire, pre-visualization effects supervisor at JAK Films,
the production company for Star Wars: Episode III.
“In
that not-so-distant past, the image-rendering process often meant
a coffee break,” Gregoire said, “and while the computer
chugged along trying to assemble and display a new image, a production
artist could lose a lot of valuable time. Today, these tasks move
much more quickly.” Gregoire adds, “Speed is just one
of the benefits JAK Films has realized.”
Gregoire describes the process now underway at JAK as “storyboarding
on steroids.” Right now, he and his team are using computer
software including Alias’ Maya and Adobe’s After Effects
to build sets in 3D and match them to plates shot in Sydney. These
pre-postproduction shots form the foundation of the finished film.
“The plates for the film are mostly blue screen, which makes
it difficult to see if scenes are working. We use AMD64 technology-based
hardware to roughly place the appropriate digital sets in with the
actors and of course we do this without spending an exorbitant amount
of money,” Gregoire says.
“This is an incredibly
powerful tool for George (Lucas) to have in his arsenal.”
“Thanks to the AMD Opteron processor and off-the-shelf software
(which JAK Films uses exclusively), we can deliver even more punch
for every shot. Twelve guys working for a week can produce 180-plus
pre-postproduction shots on these machines—from the first 3D
track to the last 2D composite and everything in between,” says
Gregoire. “The chips are awesome,” he agrees. “We
can upgrade to a 64-bit native chip, and it’s totally legacy
compatible. But there’s also an incredibly well thought out
internal architecture, HyperTransport™ technology, which helps
realize the full benefit of faster-than-ever chips.” |
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