PRESS RELEASE DAVID REAVES OFFERS "FREECHOCOLATE!" For Immediate Release Recklinghausen, Germany, April 16, 2012 -- David P. Reaves III, announces the public beta of his new, free Windows-based personal audio level controller, 'FreeChocolate! Loudness and Level Comfortizer.' According to Reaves: "In every media device, iPods ... home computers ...TVs ...or automobile sound, consumer irritation with abrupt and excessive level variations is well-known. While the frustration is pervasive, I think it's safe to say that most consumers have little interest in the intricacies of high-quality audio level control." "But I do. With 'FreeChocolate!' I'm trying to bridge that gap, by initiating the development of software with a radically simple user interface in front of a very sophisticated, natural-sounding control system. If I do this right, such a control concept will allow the end-user the option to maintain loudness levels within their own personal 'comfort zone,' while, importantly, perceptually maintaining the integrity of the original work." "CALM (US Congress' loudness legislation) may be a great solution for broadcast TV, but what about DVDs, downloaded or streaming media, watching a movie on the plane on your iPad, or the 'train wreck' transition from old to new songs on your iPod? I'm leveraging my professional audio processor design studies and experience to focus directly on the commonality of those problem areas, to put effective control where it's presently most lacking: at the fingertips of the consumer." "In short, my goal is to enhance the media user's experience by giving them the option of a simple control to dial-in whatever dynamic range feels exactly right to them, whenever they like, wherever they are, whatever they're listening to or watching, on whichever device they are using." Reaves is initially offering a free Windows app "FreeChocolate!" to get as much initial user feedback as possible before moving forward, and to work out any rough edges in the idea. "A separate app such as 'FreeChocolate!' is just the trial stage. Ultimately, this concept needs to be integrated right into electronic devices, just before the final volume control. I'd like to offer a refined core set of 'universal,' resource-friendly DSP code to vendors as a licensed plug-in for any number of mobile or home products whose enjoyment might be enhanced by more consistent levels and loudness." Why call it 'FreeChocolate!'? "I LOVE chocolate!" says Reaves. "The word suggests a positive feeling to many people; it's a name that brings with it a kind of cozy charm. And 'comfortizer' is a simple way of saying exactly what it's intended to do: Make uneven audio sources more comfortable to listen to." "FreeChocolate! Level and Loudness Comfortizer" is available to interested beta users by sending a request to beta@DavidReaves3.com System requirements are Windows XP SP 3, Vista or Windows 7. Works with ASIO or standard Windows audio I/O drivers. ### More information is available from David Reaves at +49 171 851 3340 or email David@DavidReaves3.com David P. Reaves III is an independent DSP audio design engineer. He formed DavidReaves3.com in early 2012 upon leaving TranslanTech Sound, LLC which he co-founded in 1998. His broadcast engineering experience includes 8 years as Chief Engineer of WHTZ/New York (Z100) and three years at NBC Television, New York. At TransLanTech Sound, LLC, he conceived and designed the Ariane Stereo Audio Leveler, and led the design of the Ariane Sequel Digital Audio Leveler, AGCs that are in successful service at hundreds of broadcast facilities the world over. Reaves has made several formal presentations on the subject of sound processing and loudness control to preeminent engineering conferences, including national and international meetings of the Audio Engineering Society and the National Association of Broadcasters. Born in Gainesville, Florida, David Reaves currently resides in Recklinghausen, Germany, with his wife, professional violinist Ariane Reaves.