“Prism Sound is pleased to announce that SADiE6 is now freely available to everyone. As we bring development to a close, our primary focus is to support our dedicated user base while also opening the doors for new users to explore the powerful capabilities of this industry-renowned software.”
In the late 2000s, the BBC utilized approximately 2,000 workstations. During this period, SADiE held a prominent position in radio and broadcast facilities worldwide. Its adoption extended to major broadcasters such as Radio France, Deutsche Welle, and Radio New Zealand, as well as numerous mastering and post-production studios globally.
SADiE’s capabilities expanded significantly from its initial two-input, four-output configuration. It evolved to support multitrack recording, enhanced bit depths (16, 20, and 24-bit), and sample rates reaching 96kHz through external converters. Version 3, released around 1998, marked the introduction of real-time plug-ins, including Apogee’s UV22 dithering and CEDAR Audio’s De-Noise. This version also incorporated features like background recording, real-time EQ, and compression. The Octavia variant offered advanced capabilities for 96kHz/24-bit editing and provided up to 24 outputs for complex multitrack applications.
The software boasted compatibility with third-party plug-ins and facilitated seamless file interchange through formats like OMF, AAF, AES31, and Pro Tools. It also supported industry-standard audio file formats such as Broadcast Wave (BWF) and AIFF.
However, despite its initial success, SADiE encountered significant challenges in the 2010s. The increasing popularity of native Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) like Pro Tools and Samplitude, coupled with the advancements in general-purpose computer processing power, diminished the necessity for dedicated hardware systems. Users voiced concerns regarding the infrequency of updates from Prism Sound, with the last major release (V6.1.1) occurring in 2014. Issues such as limited VST support, incompatibility with modern interface technologies (like USB3 and Thunderbolt), and the removal of features like CEDAR plug-ins and CD burning in the free version led to user dissatisfaction.
By 2025, Prism Sound discontinued active development of SADiE 6 and made it available as a free download, targeting professionals in broadcast, mastering, and high-end production. The free version retains support for BB2, BB2J, and LRX2 hardware but excludes older systems like PCM4 or H64 and omits legacy functionalities.
Despite its once leading status, SADiE ultimately stagnated due to a lack of innovation and responsiveness to evolving industry demands. Consequently, it is now offered without cost.
SADiE 6 Professional included packages like:
• Radio Producer
• Post Suite
• Mastering Suite
• Sound Suite
• And more
Not my brightest moment…