With the decline in Professional large format Samplers, and the increase in reliable IT Technology, Orbital realises that much of the future of Sound Effects playback and Show Control rests in the computer domain. To this extent, Orbital has taken the time to research into theatre-specific computer systems, the result being a high specification PC based Digital Audio Workstation tailored to both the needs of theatre sound designers and operators alike.

Housed within a sturdy, attractive 4U Black Rack Case, core features include RAID-Array Hard Drives for Audio Playback, DVD Writer for full system backups, Dual Head graphic card, Fast Intel processor and large DDR RAM. Quiet operation is achieved with multiple low noise fans for optimal cooling, high quality heat sink components and a low noise PSU, allowing the unit to be run at FOH positions with no offensive noise.

PC Audio Workstation also features a Dual-Boot System Drive, activated by a front panel key switch. This enables designers to create a complete backup of the system drive onto a second drive in case of OS corruption or operator error, and allows a "new" installation to be switched in as necessary to restore a working playback system minutes before a performance.

For Theatre usage, the systems are shipping with SFX Pro Audio, the current standard in PC Based Theatre Playback, Audio Editing software, and, in most cases, this is complemented with a 24-channel outboard soundcard offering 8 channels of Analogue or 24 Channels of ADAT/TDIF output. The same hardware can also be used with PC Based Audio recording and sequencing systems, the PC offering excellent multi-track performance.

Training is available on the systems, with a high level of in-house knowledge on the workings of both the software and the hardware itself - The Orbital computer team being actively involved in software and hardware development for Theatrical and Show Control situations.