Huge news from AVID: Pro Tools 9 has been announced, and in fact, we already have it in stock and ready to go! PT9 is a radical change from previous incarnations of the leading DAW software. There are now two versions of Pro Tools: Pro Tools 9 and Pro Tools 9 HD. PT9HD has some wonderful improvements, such as:
- stereo pan depth
- new track and send output selector for faster routing
- EuCon support for controlling PT from Euphonx control surfaces (Mac only)
- improved session and system settings
- the ability to run not only AVID HD hardware, but ANY manufacturer’s audio hardware under Core Audio or ASIO — or to run PT9HD software with no additional audio hardware at all
And, of course, there’s MUCH more…but please take a look at that last one again “the ability to run AVID HD hardware, but ANY manufacturer’s audio hardware under Core Audio or ASIO — or to run PT9HD software with no additional audio hardware at all.” Yikes, that’s huge! Now you can take a session created on your HD rig and load it on your laptop for easy editing or arranging work, with no interface required! Or record into PT9HD software using an Mbox or any other manufacturer’s portable audio interface and bring it right back into your studio-based HD rig! This is something we’ve all been desiring for a long time…and it’s here!
But it doesn’t stop there. Pro Tools 9 is — if it’s possible — an even bigger deal! Check out these features:
- support for not only AVID audio interfaces, but ANY manufacturer’s audio hardware under Core Audio or ASIO — or to run PT9 software with no additional audio hardware at all
- play back up to 96 audio tracks per session (128 audio tracks can be active per session)
- up to 32 channels of input and output (depending on audio interface used)
- up to 128 aux tracks per session
- up to 64 master tracks per session
- up to 256 MIDI tracks per session
- up to 64 instrument tracks per session
- 24-bit resolution
- up to 192kHz sample rate (depending on audio interface)
- up to 10 sends per track
- up to 10 inserts per track
- up to 256 internal mix buses
- the ability to run certain “non-resource” TDM plug-ins
- EuCon support for controlling PT from Euphonx control surfaces (Mac only)
- MP3 export
- DigiBase Catalogs
- time code and sync features
- multitrack Beat Detective
- one video track
- support for PRE and compatible remote-controllable preamps
Once again, read that first one again: “support for not only AVID audio interfaces, but ANY manufacturer’s audio hardware under Core Audio or ASIO — or to run PT9 software with no additional audio hardware at all.”
That means not only AVID Mbox, 003, or other interfaces, but also audio interfaces from any other manufacturer that supports Core Audio or ASIO protocols. Or, use Pro Tools 9 software with no interface at all!
And, lest we forget, there’s one more feature addition, perhaps the most-requested feature in Pro Tools LE history: Automatic Delay Compensation! In our opinion, the move to Pro Tools 9 is worth it for this feature alone!
Still not excited about Pro Tools 9? How about this: With the addition of the new Complete Production Toolkit 2, Pro Tools 9 essentially achieve feature parity with Pro Tools 9 HD:
- up to 192 playable audio tracks per session (512 active tracks per session)
- QuickPunch on up to 64 tracks
- up to 160 aux input tracks per session
- up to 128 instrument tracks
- advanced Group dialog
- momentary solo latchback/forward
- custom shuttle lock speeds
- shuttle mode for numeric keypad
- autofades
- up to 7.1 surround mixing (depending on audio interfaces)
- advanced editing features
- advanced automation features
- multiple video tracks
- video editing
- D-Control/D-Command support
- VCA mixing
- Neyrinck SoundCode Stereo plug-in
- X-Form plug-in
There are all sorts of deals on interfaces and PT9, crossgrades from PT LE, upgrades from PT8, plus you can purchase Pro Tools 9 stand-alone, with no hardware. Call your Sales Engineer for complete information!
