Avid Announces the Release of Pro Tools 9
In a spirited event at AES 2010 in San Francisco, Avid announced that it has released the latest version of its industry standard DAW with Pro Tools 9. Arriving a full two years after the introduction of Pro Tools 8, this latest version reinforces Avid’s commitment to creating a more open framework for Pro Tools users, on a variety of levels.
Avid has announced the release of Pro Tools 9.
Available for the first time as a software-only option, Pro Tools 9, available globally on November 12th for $599, replaces Pro Tools LE in the product line and supports Core audio and ASIO drivers in the user’s Mac/PC laptop or tower of choice.
Integral to the release is Pro Tools’ significantly improved abilities to support I/O interfaces from either Avid or third-party manufacturers, and, as should be expected, deep new support for the EUCON open Ethernet protocol for improved use of the Avid Artist/Pro Series consoles and controllers (formerly available under the Euphonix banner).
Pro Tools 9 HD is being simultaneously introduced. As a result, the Pro Tools product line now looks like this:
Pro Tools 9, Pro Tools HD 9 — available in either Native or DSP hardware-based versions.
Pro Tools M-Powered — which will continue on in V. 8.0 for the time being.
Pro Tools HD 9 software will come with the Pro Tools|HD system bundles at current prices, and existing Pro Tools users will have upgrade/crossgrade paths available to them. Additionally, the Avid Complete Production Toolkit 2 (CPTK2) ($1,995) option gives Pro Tools 9 users on 3rd-party platforms access to the full feature set of Pro Tools HD, with up to 192 internal tracks, VCA mixing and full 7.1 surround support.
Other highlights of the PT9 release, include:
— Much-requested Automatic Delay Compensation (ADC), which provides increased alignment and phase accuracy, without the need to manually compensate for latencies from hardware I/Os, internal and external routing, and plug-in algorithm processing.
— Increased audio tracks and busses with support for 96 mono or stereo voices in the new software-only version of Pro Tools (192 voices with Pro Tools HD systems), 256 internal busses, and 160 aux tracks.
Finally...You CAN take it with you.
— Deeper production tools, including more standard professional functions in version 9. Users can analyze and adjust timing across multiple tracks for tighter rhythm with the built-in multi-track Beat Detective module, improve organization and asset sharing with the DigiBase Pro file management tool, and experience more streamlined workflows with full Import Session Data dialog.
Audio for picture users can also expect to benefit from these enhancements:
— OMF/AAF/MXF interchange and MP3 export for simplified session and file exchange between applications.
— Built-in Time Code Ruler for greater accuracy when syncing audio to video in post production.
— Updated 7.1 surround panner
— New variable stereo pan depths
The release of Pro Tools 9 caps off an intensive year of product line expansion and renewal for Avid, following the introduction of the new HD I/O series line, next generation M-boxes, and HD Native host-based systems. With a completely updated version of the heart and soul of its offerings, Pro Tools itself, now out, it should be extremely interesting to see how the market — and maybe even music — responds and evolves in kind.
Please note: When you buy products through links on this page, we may earn an affiliate commission.