The Sonomic Total Library Server (TLS) is the ultimate audio asset management system for professional studios. With the TLS, you always have the latest sound libraries at your fingertips - without buying more CDs. Your existing sound FX, sample and music collection is digitized and databased. Custom, cross-platform (Mac OS 9/X, Win 2000/XP) software lets you instantly find, audition and spot any sound to Pro Tools or drag and drop to any other sampler or sequencer. If the TLS doesn't have what you need, it will automatically download and database new sounds from the Sonomic Online Library, featuring Sound Ideas, BBC and more. Cue sheets, taglists, usage reporting, offsite accessibility and a host of other powerful features let you focus on creating instead of searching.

Below is a brief overview of the main features of the TLS. Of course, the best way to really understand the TLS is to give it a test drive.

TLS Client Software

The TLS is a client-server system. In plain language, this means that there are two main components of the system. There's the server, which is a Windows or Macintosh computer where all your sounds are stored and where the database software that keeps track of everything resides. And there's the client software, which you use to search the server, create taglists, import sounds to your DAW, and do all the other fun stuff outlined below. Typically, the client software is installed on your DAW, and the server would be a centralized computer in your machine room, but there are many exceptions to this. For example, for a single-user facility, the sounds, database, and client software might all be on the same computer. At the other end of the spectrum, some of our biggest clients, such as Microsoft Game Studios, have multiple facilities throughout the world, so for some studios, the server may be thousands of miles away.

In a nutshell, we have years of experience optimizing systems that are customized for the exact needs of a range of clients. We'll work with you to define your precise needs and deliver a system that meets - or exceeds - those needs.

The heart of the Total Library Server is the Sonomic SoundEngine^TM, the most powerful media search algorithm available. Engineered from the ground up specifically for the professional production environment, the SoundEngine goes far beyond a generic keyword search. A sophisticated yet intuitive hierarchical category search and a precision "keyword in:" search can be used independently or in combination to deliver pinpoint-accurate results instantly, every time.

Can't find what you need on your server? No problem! The TLS client software can also search the 250,000-sound Sonomic Online Library. Best of all, every sound you download from the Online Library is permanently databased to your local server.

Sonomic SoundEngine Interface

All search results are available for instant audition with waveform overview via the client software's embedded audio player. Every sound you audition is demarcated, so you can keep track of what you've already listened to.

Audition with Waveform Overview

Sounds can be instantly imported right into your software or even spotted directly to track in Pro tools and most other audio/video applications. You choose the file format, bit rate, and frequency required for your sessions, and your imported files will automatically be converted to conform to your specifications. Multi-channel audio import is also supported.

While previewing a sound with waveform overview, you can select any portion of a waveform to import, spot or even save as a new file for later use. The TLS also allows drag and drop import and spot to all applications that support drag and drop, including Logic, Cubase, Digital Performer, and many more.

Organize and manage your sounds with custom Taglists. Any sound - whether in the Sonomic Online Library or on your server - can be added to Taglists directly from your search results. You can organize Taglists by project, episode, scene, date, producer, client, or any other way, and rename files, change descriptions, and add notes in multiple fields. Best of all, you can share taglists with other users, to make sure that all the sound designers involved in a project are using a consistent set of sounds.

The Taglist Window

Music supervisors will appreciate the Cue Sheet function. With a single click, any track can be added to a standard cue sheet, automatically populated with publisher, society, and composer for all major music libraries. Simply fill in your specific usage details, print it out (or email it) and you're done!

The CueSheet Window

Any sound management system is only as good as the sounds in it. Getting new sounds into the TLS couldn't be easier.

The quickest way to add new sounds is through the Sonomic Online Library. Simply select "Search Online Library" in the SoundEngine to instantly query and download from dozens of top publishers, including Sound Ideas, BBC, Zero-G, Serafine, Valentino, Sampleheads and many more. Every sound you download is automatically databased to your TLS for future use.

If you already have sound FX and music libraries on CD, the TLS will automatically rename and categorize the files and associate all metadata, including description, library name, disc name/number, duration, bit rate, and frequency.

You can also use the TLS to manage audio you've created yourself, including sound FX, samples, music, dialog, or anything else. A spreadsheet-type interface makes it a breeze to categorize sounds. You can enter in as much or as little information as you wish, and if multiple files have the same metadata for a certain field (for example, all songs have the same publisher), you only need to type it in once.

Upload Interface

You can access your TLS from anywhere in the world. In fact, we have a number of clients with multiple facilities in different locations that share a single server. In such cases, it is advisable to encode audio files in both compressed and full resolution formats. Compressed formats facilitate fast audition, and may be of sufficient quality to use for radio and web work. Full resolution files ensure that you have CD-quality (or better) cuts available for high-end uses.

The TLS is the only sound management system that is completely cross platform. Both the server software and the client software can be installed on a Macintosh (OS 9/X) or a Windows PC (2000/XP). Functionality, including keyboard shortcuts, is identical on both platforms.

You can also use a web browser to access your server instead of the TLS client software. A web browser is inherently inferior to the TLS client software; for example, no web browser can support keyboard shortcuts, drag and drop application import, or many other key TLS features. However, for light usage - or if you need to access your server in a pinch from a computer that doesn't have the TLS software installed - using a web browser is a great option.

The TLS supports virtually all audio formats, including BWAV, MP3, AIFF, AAC, SD2. It can even be customized to handle additional content types, including still images and video.

Web Browser Interface

Have more questions? Check out the FAQ, call us toll-free at 877-SONOMIC (877-766-6642; international dial +1 212.604.0272), or email tls@sonomic.com.