A Tribute to Robert Bruce Easton
In an era of software start-ups and corporate acquisitions in the broadcast industry, it is extremely rare to find a 50 year old company with global recognition and a loyal customer base. Manufacturer of the ground breaking DigiCart and world renowned Instant Replay Audio Clip Players, along with its line of broadcast video servers, 360 Systems has grown to be a valuable asset to the music and broadcast industries.
A Focus on Professional Audio
In Memory of Robert “Bob” Bruce Easton. 1945 – 2021
In 1972, Robert “Bob” Easton, a U.S.C. cinema department graduate working in the Hollywood film industry, decided to build a business focused on applying new semiconductor technology to products for the music and recording industries. Several “firsts” in audio technologies came from 360 Systems and have since become industry standards. He would be pleased to know his vision of the company he built was still standing strong over 50 years later.
How did this happen?
Mr. Easton’s dream of 360 Systems was initially to focus on musical instruments and electronics. In the early years, music oriented products such as the Frequency Shifter and Spectre Guitar Synthesizer focused on the Musical Instrument market, while the Programmable Parametric Equalizer aimed at the pro audio market for recording studios and live sound.
First 360 Systems product
360 Systems Frequency Shifter 1976
Spectre Guitar Synthesizer 1979
Programmable Parametric Equalizer 1980
Later, the 360 Keyboard, Midi Bass, and Midi Patcher became popular.
Midi Keyboard
early 1980’s
Many of these products are still in use by musicians and audio enthusiasts around the world – real quality in both hardware and software that literally works for decades!
During the 1980’s, 360 Systems introduced its Permanent Playback digital audio message players, which became a standard in theme parks and other venues around the world. Permanent Playback replaced recording tape by storing high quality audio on EPROM memory chips. Its revolutionary design, removed all moving parts and delivered a virtually maintenance free system and a new standard for audio reliability. Even though most of this equipment has long since been retired, audio enthusiasts and collectors around the world still contact 360 Systems looking to keep these pieces of history alive. Real quqlity in both hardware and software that literally works for decades!
Enter the DigiCart
Digicart 1991
Being a true visionary, in 1991 Mr. Easton then entered 360 Systems into the broadcast equipment business with the introduction of the DigiCart, providing the first real solid state option to analog tape cart machines. The DigiCart was the world’s first hard disk audio recorder/player with editing and playlisting capability. Initially produced for radio as a replacement for stacks of tape cartridges, the DigiCart was quickly picked up and embraced by television production for audio contribution.
Over 30 years later, the 5th generation DigiCart5 is entering the market embracing the needs of modern broadcast workflows. 360 Systems – DigiCart 5
Instant Replay = Instant Audio
Instant Replay 1994
With the success of the DigiCart, the advantages of digital audio were clear to Mr. Easton. 360 Systems began designing the original Instant Replay. Whether it is being used on the road, or installed in the studio or control room the Instant Replay was designed for creative people who needed quick response, intuitive operation, and professional-quality audio. First shipped in 1994 the 360 Systems’ Instant Replay was a completely self-contained audio spot player. And, unlike PCs, Instant Replay had the immediacy of large real illuminated buttons for easy hands-on operation. No need for a mouse!
The Instant Replay was streamlined even further with straightforward controls which made operation completely transparent. Audio cuts could be played instantly, in any order, as many times as needed. When audio elements were needed in a special sequence, Instant Replay let you build multiple playlists of any size and store them for future use.
360 Systems’ Instant Replay was perfect for any application where quality music or effects play from your own audio library – for radio, television, audio/visual, or live events. Instant Replay became known as the original hot-keys audio player.
With its 30 year anniversary upon us, the Instant Replay3 continues to be the go-to instant audio clip player.
Introduction of the ShortCut
ShortCut 1998
With the success of the DigiCart and Instant Replay, the ShortCut was developed in the late 1990’s to bridge the gap between audio recording, editing and playout. Loved by radio personnel, the ShortCut brought a simple way to quickly edit a recording and cue it for playout significantly reducing the turnaround time. Once again, all of this functionality came within a self contained audio box. The built in LCD wavform editor and scrolling edit functionality made the ShortCut the go to device for on-the-fly audio editing for live broadcast.
A Shift to Broadcast Video
Image Server 2000 (2003 release model)
Moving into the 2000’s Mr. Easton shifted the company focus from audio to broadcast Play-to-Air video servers. Launching the Image Server 2000 in 2003, the three channel SD-SDI system quickly became known for providing exceptional broadcast quality at an unheard of low market price. These Linux® based multi-channel servers became known for their rock solid performance and ease of use. With a simple VTR style interface for basic controls, they were the perfect fit for everyone from seasoned station engineers to volunteers in houses of worship or even students in an educational environment. This innovation was followed several years later by the Maxx HD Servers, once again providing high channel counts at mid market prices.
Fast forward to the latest generation video servers, the TSS Series provides both Play-to-Air and Time Delay servers which have cornered a unique market for cost effective 1, 2 ,3 or 4 channel servers. Still produced on a Linux base with a simple interface, there is virtually no learning curve for customers replacing older systems. Yet, the TSS servers are designed to function in modern workflows capable of producing high quality playout from standard definition to 1080p resolutions.
The Next Generation 360 Systems
After 40 years as captain of the 360 Systems ship, Robert Easton stepped down in 2015 handing off the company to the employees of 360 Systems. After retiring and returning to his childhood home in Indiana, he continued to enjoy his passion for electronics, helping local schools with their media departments and teaching electronic repair at a small shop.
As a company with a grand history, we were deeply saddened that Mr. Easton was not able to witness the success of the next generation Instant Replay3 and DigiCart5. Suffice to say, we believe without a doubt, he would be extremely proud that his company continues to produce professional broadcast quality hardware products that support the broadcast and entertainment industries. There are so few products in this world that can boast of the longevity and popularity that 360 Systems has produced over these 50 years.
So to what does 360 Systems attribute their half century of success? A focus on listening to customers’ needs and providing products that are simple to use at a reasonable price point. Add to that a diverse product line in both audio and video, along with international recognition and the philosophy that customers deserve the best.
360 Systems still today promotes the philosophies and principles that Robert Easton developed with over 50 years ago.
360 Systems Broadcast Flexibility, Reliability, Simplicity Economics That Make Sense!