Wow, whilst I am away the Pro Tools world takes a lerch forward!!
Pro Tools HD 8.1 is a free update for Pro Tools HD 8.0-8.0.4 owners.Pro Tools 8.1 Details — Avid is pleased to announce the availability of Pro Tools® HD 8.1, a free update for Pro Tools HD 8.0-8.0.4 owners. This latest update offers performance enhancements and fixes, plus new support for the Pro Tools HD Series interfaces—HD I/O, HD OMNI, and HD MADI. It also adds software support for HEAT (Harmonically Enhanced Algorithm Technology), a new Pro Tools HD software add-on for adding analog warmth and color to your mix.
Now, you may think, 8.1 is a point release, probably some bug fixes and support for the NEW INTERFACES ( back to those in a tic) but in actuality, 8.1 sees the release of a massive, amazing, brilliant new feature set that will save serious mixers potentially hours and hours of their life. No, its not HEAT, the new tube/analogue warmth buss flavour feature….it’s the I/O setup. Yes, the I/O setup! New in 8.1, the I/O setup has been totally overhauled to make moving sessions between rooms a much, much easier process! Avid audio listened to the gripes about moving large projects between rooms, endlessly moving those little squares around to just get audio out your speakers. Taken from the I/O Setup primer:
“In Pro Tools 8.1, changes to the I/O Setup have been made in order to solve session interchange issues (such as maintaining studio settings on different Pro Tools systems) and to provide better overall workflows for session interchange. In lower versions of Pro Tools, I/O settings are recalled from the Pro Tools session document, so studio settings corresponding to your hardware could potentially change each time a session is opened. This can result in a temporary loss of monitor paths. In Pro Tools 8.1, I/O settings can be recalled from the system. This means that your studio settings can be maintained when
opening sessions created on other Pro Tools systems”So, THAT is cool! Cant wait to play with it and put it through its paces.
I completely agree Brent, Although there is no way I would have predicted this as the feature Avid would choose to add at this point but it will be so useful for those of us who move sessions around differently configured systems.
Pro Tools 8.1 Downloads
Please see these individual pages for downloads, installation instructions, and additional information:
Pro Tools HD 8.1 Updates — August 17, 2010
More about the new Pro Tools HD Series interfaces:
Compatibility Summary
Pro Tools HD 8.1 supports the following operating systems:
- Mac OS X 10.6.2, 10.6.3, and 10.6.4 (Snow Leopard)
- Windows XP Service Pack 3 (Home or Professional, 32-bit)
Although not officially supported, Pro Tools HD 8.1 can be used on Windows 7 (32 and 64-bit) continuing the public beta program for HD systems.
Please Note:
- Pro Tools HD 8.1 software will be the last version of Pro Tools HD to support the Windows XP operating system
- Pro Tools 8.0.4 was the last version of Pro Tools to support Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) and Windows Vista operating systems
Please read the EOSS (End of Software Support) Announcements for more information.
Not Compatible
Pro Tools 8.0.3 software and higher does not support some retired products, including:
- Expansion|HD Chassis
- Macintosh PowerPC Computers
Please read the EOSS (End of Software Support) Announcements for more information.
I have to say my favourite of these is the HD OMNI It has the perfect combination of I/O. 8 analog outs for monitoring, cans feeds etc, 2 mic pres for basic tracking, some line inputs for other bits and a raft of 8 way digital inputs so I can add my Focus rite Octopre’s and away I go when I need to multi-track on location and all in a 1U unit.
The only downside is currently my interface is in my computer cupboard so to take advantage of the monitoring section I would need to remote the interface from my computer and I would need to see how long the interface cable can be.
This is what Avid have to say on their web site about this new plug-in HEAT that isn’t a plug-in…
Add some HEAT to your mix. Get the warmth and sonic character of analog “in the box” with HEAT (Harmonically Enhanced Algorithm Technology), an easy-to-use Pro Tools|HD software add-on that gives you the euphonic characteristics of prized analog gear without the expense or added bulk. Whether you’re mixing music or sound for picture, you’ll get the unmistakable sonic characteristics of a vintage analog console or outboard gear to “gel” your mixes together—right in Pro Tools. Try it free for 30 days.
Now there is a demo for you to listen too..
Take a Listen
This song*, “Ninja” by Nimble Tailors, features interchanging mixes done completely “in the box” with Pro Tools|HD and with two different settings in HEAT. Download the video (right click to save file) and take a listen through your best headphones or speakers to hear how HEAT shapes the mix.
Well to my ears it is subtle but I do like the idea of adding more even harmonics, it is of course at the root of the whole analog, valve, tape sound and to have it on every track is an interesting feature to add, again as in the 8.1 update, not the one I would have thought of first.
Now I will have to update to Apple’s Snow Leopard software before I can try any of these things out and I have resisted it so far.
AIR Users Blog ProToolerBlog
Mike is Pro Tools genius and an award winning ‘audiomeister’, defined as ‘a person of great skill and authority in sound’. His vast array of credits include music (from classical to rock), drama and documentaries across all the BBC Radio networks, as well as audio post production for video and TV, ‘new media’, live sound, commercial CDs, DVDs and podcasts, helping clients tell their stories with sound. He has been described as "an oasis of calm in a stormy creative world"; "quick, creative & easy to work with"; "always going the extra mile"; and "invests himself in the success of your project"’.
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Seven radio producers – all based in the north of England – have joined forces to launch a new co-operative venture – ‘Radio Wizards’. It’s equally remarkable that their aim now is to work together on every kind of sound production... except radio!
"It’s taken over a year to get to this point," says ‘wizard’ Mike Thornton, "but now we’ve got a viable business plan, we’ve launched our website and we’re already starting to attract commissions. As a facilities provider we decided to facilitate this partnership and set them up with a web site to help kickstart this excellent partnership."
August 23, 2010 at 8:06 pm
Any word on whether or not this has any of those Canopus issues? Or if the current Izotope audiosuite plugins still have issues? I tried to hunt for their “bug fix” list but couldn’t find anything.
August 24, 2010 at 9:16 am
I haven’t heard anything yet, but as soon as I do I will post what I hear. Anyone had the courage to try it and see what has been fixed?
January 28, 2011 at 8:58 pm
Hi.
It is possible to run Pro tools HD Native + HD IO Digital 16×16 without a digital mixer? Wondrin’ how can i have 16 inputs preamps without a digital mixer…I was thinking a DB25 to XLR Female, would this be possible?
Thanks.
January 31, 2011 at 11:08 am
Yes because you can mix ‘in the box’. ie mixing is done in Pro Tools. Add some mic preamps with digital outputs and you’re done. I use the Focusrite Octopre, – 8 Focusrite mic preamps in a 1U box. choose your digital output from the Octopre and away you go.
Hope that helps,
Mike.