MaGIC: Media-accelerated Global Information Carrier
high-bandwidth multi-channel media protocol developed by Gibson
for professional and consumer applications.
ethernet-based - can be used to route and send audio, video, MIDI, etc.
Motivation:
Enhanced real-time digital audio
Interoperability
Complete digital solution
Simple installation & ease of use
MaGIC has a 3-layer protocol stack:
Physical Layer: compatible with IEEE 802.3 Ethernet
physical layer.
Data Link Layer: as defined by IEEE 802.3 Ethernet
protocol.
MaGIC Application Layer: uses link layer frames to encapsulate
MaGIC-specific information into packets. The application layer is
independent of the lower layers.
MaGIC currently rides on top of 100-Megabit ethernet
Capabilities:
Up to 192kHz, 32-bit digital audio signal
Up to 32 channels (fully duplexed)
Self-identifying
Multiple control channels (up to 100 MIDI)
Phantom power, i.e. no batteries needed for instruments
Low latency - 250µsec across 100 meters
Example Application
Les Paul guitar equipped with MaGIC port & standard analog pickups
Fast analog-to-digital converter connected between MaGIC port & pickups
Guitar connected to MaGIC-aware amplifier.
The ADC must be as fast as possible to reduce latency
Advantages
Noise is less likely since analog/digital conversion is done
inside the guitar
Cable can be run over long distances without loss of audio quality
Signal processing can be done on a string-by-string basis
Problems
Still largely vaporware - Gibson expected to release digital guitar Q2 2003