What would appear to be one of the worst kept secrets in the audio industry, the release of Pro Tools 9 continues to grow. Today the AIR Users blog posted an update... The inbox at the blog has been on fire with those wanting to know about Pro Tools 9 at AES. We have no confirmed information from our Avid people. However we have been able to glean some unconfirmed information about the pro audio world's worst kept secret and what we should all be expecting to see. So here are the blog predictions. So yes, we should be seeing Pro Tools 9 announced in the coming days at AES. Some of the new cited new features include: 128 tracks as standard Kits will still continue to work on the new version, theoretically offering the same track uplift again. ADC No hardware needed to run the new version of Pro Tools. Integration into one single version - the splash screen leak gave that one away. Price TBA but it will reflect the lack of a hardware tie-in so don't expect sub $500 software! Now there have been other rumours flying around including the splash screen above with a lot of debate on the Gearslutz site. Some interesting comments.... kwilliams said... 2 weeks ago, while in LA, I saw the actual PDF avid document for Protools 9. It supported unlimited audio tracks (CPU limited only). Latency compensation and no hardware requirement. The source was real and this document wasn't some forged PDF put together as a prank. I don't expect anyone to believe this....nor do I care frankly! Just sharing what I saw. I can't tell who this source was or give any specifics cause they would be rightfully pissed..... It seems very confusing to me as well considering the release of PTHD Native....why have the same software specs and more without a $3500 pcie card in Protools 9 released shortly after this PTHD Native system.....very strange?! But again......this reliable source had the document.....and this is what I read....Now make what you will of this. Source Audio added... It has been killing me not to open my mouth but there are a mix of people on this post with valid and invalid info. So I had to create a new log in on here to say something without compromising my identity. Some of your post are right. I talked with Avid directly less then a month ago. I new before HD native, new HD Hardware, and New M Boxes were released. Pro Tools 9 is being announced at AES this year. It has been in works for a couple of years now(heard from another one of my sources a couple of years ago, but did not pay it much mind.) Sometime shortly after Avid purchased M-Audio. It will not be out until 2011 as I was told. No avid interface required, ADC will be there, and track count equivalent(not unlimited tracks) to HD numbers via a purchased toolkit. So there it is. No price was discussed. But PT9 will still be included with your PT Hardware as normal. If you don't believe me I don't give a $h!t. Just be on the look out for it at AES this year. BTW Pro Tools HD Native was released for those who wanted to use Avid converters but did not need TDM Technology. 8.4 is only a release for hardware compatibility. Have fun arguing about whats true or false and about how predictable Avid/Digi is. Anyone can do the unexpected especially when everyone expects them to do the norm. These are just two comments from an 8 page post but you can see a common thread. For what its worth I hope the rumours are right.  However as an HD owner and user this move will surely devalue my investment over night. I will loose my exclusive ADC feature and to a degree my minimal latency feature. Yes I could choose to have a different high end interface that doesn't have Avid on the front like an Apogee though.  Well for your sake Russ I await AES with interest.

Only 3 days left for introductory pricing! Purchase RX 2 before Oct 31st to get special pricing. RX includes all of the tools you need to repair both common and uncommon problems: * Remove noise, hiss, buzz and hum with Denoiser and Hum Removal * Eliminate clicks and crackle with Declicker and Decrackler * Restore clipped audio with Declipper * Visually select and suppress unwanted sounds with Spectral Repair and the Lasso, Brush and Magic Wand tools * Includes a standalone application and a suite of plug-ins * Adaptive Denoiser, 3rd party plug-in hosting, Deconstruct and other professional tools in RX 2 Advanced * Learn More... Get RX 2 for only $249 (reg. $349) Offer valid until October 31, 2010. Only 3 Days Left to GO PRO for $749 with RX 2 Advanced With Advanced, you'll get the power of RX with: * Adaptive mode for Denoiser * 3rd party plug-in hosting * Deconstruct module * Multi-resolution spectral repair * Export time-stamped edit history * Azimuth Alignment * iZotope 64-bit SRC™, MBIT+™, iZotope Radius® If you are a professional, RX Advanced has the tools that you need. Get RX 2 Advanced for only $749 (reg. $1,199) Offer valid until October 31, 2010.

This is what they have said in their newsletter... We would like to announce the availability of product updates for Windows computers- Power Suite 5.53 Master Restoration Suite 5.53 Tube Saturator 1.02 These can be downloaded here: wavearts.com/downloads/ These versions offer a new installer system for improved compatibility with Windows 7 and Vista operating systems as well as bug fixes.  Both 32-bit versions (VST/DX/RTAS) and 64-bit (VST) are available. For full revision history visit: wavearts.com/downloads/version-history/ We are working on updating our Mac versions for 64-bit native compatibility (the current Mac versions will still work with bit-bridge technology in the 64 bit version of Logic Pro for example).

Bobby is a senior product manager for Avid Pro Tools and so is ideally placed to talk about some of the issues raised with the release of the new Mbox family and HD Native. Questions they have asked him include... how do you go about creating a significant differential between something like the amazing Mbox Pro and the new HD technologies? Can you explain the product [HD Native] development philosophy for our readers? We see this is now part of this package which in effect decouples ADC from hardware. Can you explain how ADC works on this new platform? Go over to the AIR Users blog to see the answers to these and other questions.

Available for download here: Pro Tools HD 8.1cs2 Update Pro Tools HD 8.1cs2 for Mac Pro Tools HD 8.1cs2 for Windows Pro Tools HD 8.1cs2 Release Notes For Pro Tools|HD Systems on Mac OS X and Windows October 19, 2010 This update requires previous installation of Pro Tools HD 8.1 software: * Pro Tools 8.1 Downloads and Details For the most recent CS updates, see the following page: * Pro Tools CS Updates What’s included in Pro Tools HD 8.1cs2? Pro Tools could crash or an access violation may occur when importing duplicate tracks to the same session. (PTSW-133048) - One can now successfully import duplicate tracks to a Pro Tools 8.1 session without encountering an error. Volumes named using multi-byte language characters, such as Katakana, don't mount in DigiBase. (PTSW-58406, PTSW-131482) - One can now use the full set of language options provided by the OS when naming audio volumes. Control Surfaces could display "Pro Tools has a Dialog on Screen" when there is no dialog on screen. (PTSW-130634) - When any progress bar dialog is active, hiding Pro Tools until the progress bar finishes, then un-hiding Pro Tools makes Pro Tools think the progress bar dialog is still active. In this state Pro Tools appeared to be mostly unresponsive. Pro Tools would not launch on a user account configured for Open Directory access. (PTSW-130444) - Application failed to launch on OS X systems configured for Network Home Directories (i.e. Open Directory). In 8.1 (and 8.0.4), launching Pro Tools on a user account resulted in an assertion error when loading plug-ins, whereas in 8.0.3, Pro Tools crashed with "Pro Tools has unexpectedly quit" dialog. Tracks created using "Expand to New Tracks" would not allow audio to play back. (PTSW-125445) - "Expand to New Tracks" now creates tracks muted, but with full metering functionality and audio playback. QuickTime playback of DV-PAL codec through Mojo stutters. (PTSW-130719) - The stuttering of QuickTime playback was especially noticeable when manipulating the Pro Tools GUI during playback or having a video sync offset that wasn't divisible by four. Access violation occurs when applying a fade out on 1 sample region when the fade overlaps adjacent regions. (PTSW-131127) - This access violation no longer occurs. On Windows, the Alt and Win keys get "stuck" on. (PTSW-124654) - The Alt and Win keys can get into a state in which they appear to be pressed down all the time, with the only known solution to quit Pro Tools. On Windows XP, the problem is not eliminated but now it should be a simple matter of pressing the affected key once to disengage the "stuck" mode and return to normal operation. If some Pro Tools operations still appear unresponsive, wait 30 seconds until normal operation is restored. Audio routing could be lost when turning off DSP Cache during playback. (PTSW-130638) - DSP Cache on/off switch is not accessible during playback. There is no need to toggle this parameter during playback as it only affects session close/open behavior. On Windows, Runtime errors and crash when using ZIO ADR Express with Pro Tools and recording to ISIS volume. (PTSW-125770, PTSW-125771, PTSW-129529) - Pro Tools would crash or a runtime error would be encountered while using ZIO ADR Express with Pro Tools during recording to ISIS volume, or immediately after recording to ISIS volume while editing, undoing, or scrubbing. Recording gets lost if timeline selection markers are moved during QuickPunch or TrackPunch record. (PTSW-128879) - Moving the timeline selection markers during QP record would cause deletion of the file being recorded. DigiTrace log files (.dlog) not written when the user is not an Administrator account. (PTSW-53712) - DigiTrace files were being placed next to the Pro Tools application, but this path was not allowed for non-admin users. To fix this, .dlog files are written to a new location: Mac OS X: /Users/<User>/Library/Logs/AvidLogFiles Windows XP: \Documents and Settings\<user>\AvidLogFiles Windows 7: \Users/<user>\AvidLogFiles Included from Pro Tools HD 8.1cs1 Fixed: Crash when importing aux tracks via import session data. (PTSW-129732) - Pro Tools could crash with "Floating point exception in thread MainThread at address 0x0" or similar errors when importing Aux tracks from another session. Fixed: Pro Tools running on Windows XP is not creating a log files folder for reporting assertions. (PTSW-122716) - Pro Tools was not creating proper log files folder or log files to assist technical support with troubleshooting. DigiTest updated to be compatible with SYNC HD Revision H and higher. SYNC HD units with Rev H serial numbers (and higher) require a newer firmware that is included in this update of DigiTest. Units will be delivered pre-programmed with the correct firmware version. However, if there is ever a need to update the firmware users should use this version of DigiTest (or higher). The DigiTest version included with this update is also compatible with SYNC HD units with pre Rev H serial numbers. Installation Instructions To update to Pro Tools HD 8.1cs2: 1. Verify that Pro Tools HD version 8.1 (or 8.1cs1) is installed on your system 2. Quit the Pro Tools application if it is open 3. Locate the Pro Tools HD 8.1cs2 update installer and launch it 4. Follow the onscreen instructions 5. When installation is complete, restart your computer

Available for download here: Pro Tools 8.0.4cs2 Update Pro Tools HD 8.0.4cs2 for Mac Pro Tools HD 8.0.4cs2 forWindows Pro Tools LE 8.0.4cs2 for Mac Pro Tools LE 8.0.4cs2 for Windows Pro Tools M-Powered 8.0.4cs2 for Mac Pro Tools M-Powered 8.0.4cs2 for Windows Pro Tools 8.0.4cs2 Release Notes For Pro Tools HD, LE, and M-Powered 8.0.4 on Mac OS X and Windows October 19, 2010 This update requires previous installation of Pro Tools HD, LE, or M-Powered 8.0.4 software: * Pro Tools 8.0.4 Downloads and Details For the most recent CS updates, see the following page: * Pro Tools CS Updates Release Note: There was no Pro Tools 8.0.4cs1 release. The Pro Tools HD, LE, and M-Powered 8.0.4cs2 release is concurrent with the Pro Tools HD 8.1cs2 release. What's included in Pro Tools 8.0.4cs2? On Windows, Pro Tools LE was recording audio to the timeline early by approximately twice the H/W buffer size. (PTSW-130757) - Audio was recorded early depending on the hardware buffer size selected. This problem was specific to Pro Tools LE 8.0.4 on Windows. Fixed in the included Pro Tools LE Avid Audio Drivers installer. On Windows, 002 and 003 optical signal is not monitored when Low Latency Monitoring (LLM) is enabled. (PTSW-130422) - Optical signal was not passing through to Main Output on 002 and 003 when LLM was enabled. This problem was specific to the 002 and 003 devices running Pro Tools LE 8.0.4 on Windows. Fixed in the included Pro Tools LE Avid Audio Drivers installer. Volumes named using multi-byte language characters, such as Katakana, don't mount in DigiBase. (PTSW-58406, PTSW-131482) - One can now use the full set of language options provided by the OS when naming audio volumes. Control Surfaces could display "Pro Tools has a Dialog on Screen" when there is no dialog on screen. (PTSW-130634) - When any progress bar dialog is active, hiding Pro Tools until the progress bar finishes, then un-hiding Pro Tools makes Pro Tools think the progress bar dialog is still active. In this state Pro Tools appeared to be mostly unresponsive. Pro Tools would not launch on a user account configured for Open Directory access. (PTSW-130444) - Application failed to launch on OS X systems configured for Network Home Directories (i.e. Open Directory). In 8.0.4, launching Pro Tools on a user account resulted in an assertion error when loading plug-ins, whereas in 8.0.3, Pro Tools crashed with "Pro Tools has unexpectedly quit" dialog. Tracks created using "Expand to New Tracks" would not allow audio to play back. (PTSW-125445) - "Expand to New Tracks" now creates tracks muted, but with full metering functionality and audio playback. QuickTime playback of DV-PAL codec through Mojo stutters. (PTSW-130719) - The stuttering of QuickTime playback was especially noticeable when manipulating the Pro Tools GUI during playback or having a video sync offset that wasn't divisible by four. Access violation occurs when applying a fade out on 1 sample region when the fade overlaps adjacent regions. (PTSW-131127) - This access violation no longer occurs. On Windows, the Alt and Win keys get "stuck" on. (PTSW-124654) - The Alt and Win keys can get into a state in which they appear to be pressed down all the time, with the only known solution to quit Pro Tools. On Windows XP, the problem is not eliminated but now it should be a simple matter of pressing the affected key once to disengage the "stuck" mode and return to normal operation. If some Pro Tools operations still appear unresponsive, wait 30 seconds until normal operation is restored. Audio routing could be lost when turning off DSP Cache during playback. (PTSW-130638) - DSP Cache on/off switch is not accessible during playback. There is no need to toggle this parameter during playback as it only affects session close/open behavior. On Windows, runtime errors and crash when using ZIO ADR Express with Pro Tools and recording to ISIS volume. (PTSW-125770, PTSW-125771, PTSW-129529) - Pro Tools would crash or a runtime error would be encountered while using ZIO ADR Express with Pro Tools during recording to ISIS volume, or immediately after recording to ISIS volume while editing, undoing, or scrubbing. Recording gets lost if timeline selection markers are moved during QuickPunch or TrackPunch record. (PTSW-128879) - Moving the timeline selection markers during QP record would cause deletion of the file being recorded. DigiTrace log files (.dlog) not written when the user is not an Administrator account. (PTSW-53712) - DigiTrace files were being placed next to the Pro Tools application, but this path was not allowed for non-admin users. To fix this, .dlog files are written to a new location: Mac OS X: /Users/<User>/Library/Logs/AvidLogFiles Windows XP: \Documents and Settings\<user>\AvidLogFiles Windows 7: \Users/<user>\AvidLogFiles On Windows, when selecting the Audio Plug-ins Guide link in the Help menu, the wrong guide is opened. (PTSW-129920) - The correct guide is now opened. When selecting Audio Plug-ins Guide in the Help menu, a dialog appears: "Could not find help file DigiRack Plug-Ins Guide.pdf!" (PTSW-129870) - This problem is fixed. The "Support FAQ.pdf" in Documentation -> Pro Tools is the wrong version. (PTSW-129915) - The correct version is now installed. This problem affected Windows Pro Tools M-Powered only. Installation Instructions To update to Pro Tools 8.0.4cs2: 1. Verify that Pro Tools HD, LE, or M-Powered version 8.0.4 is installed on your system. 2. Quit the Pro Tools application if it is open. 3. Locate the Pro Tools HD, LE, or M-Powered 8.0.4cs2 update installer and launch it. 4. Follow the onscreen instructions. 5. When installation is complete, restart your computer 6. Pro Tools LE Windows users should run the separate "Avid Audio Drivers Setup" installer (included with the download) after updating to Pro Tools LE 8.0.4cs2 for Windows.

Minnetonka Audio Software, Inc. have announced a new SurCode for Dolby E product designed to work inside all common -post production platforms, including RTAS for Pro Tools.  This from the press release…. The SurCode for Dolby™ E Stream Player plug–in provides real–time decoding of Dolby E streams and files to a stereo output. Based on embedded metadata, the real–time downmixing of 5.1 to stereo is automatic, allowing the operator to concentrate on the task at hand. Downmixing is a true emulation of what a consumer equipped for stereo playback would hear. Since Dolby E is commonly used to simultaneously carry a surround mix, a stereo mix and/or multiple foreign language tracks, the SurCode for Dolby E Stream Player plug–in also lets the operator choose which program to decode and monitor within the range of available program configurations. Visual indication of bit depth and frame rate are also provided, as is the display of all metadata extracted from the Dolby E stream or file. The plug–in includes the ability to save existing metadata as either a text or XML file, for archiving, workflow automation, and media asset management. The SurCode for Dolby™ E Stream Player plug–in is compatible with the RTAS, VST, AU and AudioTools AWE formats. The suggested retail pricing is set at US$995 for an all–platform license.

TC Electronic have reduced the prices by varying amounts on all their TDM plug-ins. For example from their price list. TDM Plug-ins View Name and description Price DVR2 ProTools TDM (Download) For PC & Mac OSX. Pro Tools HD or HD Accel required 595,00 € 299,00 € Harmony4 ProTools TDM (Download) For PC & Mac OSX. Pro Tools HD or HD Accel required 799,00 € 149,00 € LM5D Loudness Rader Meter ProTools TDM (Download) For PC & Mac OSX. Pro Tools HD or HD Accel required 1.140,00 € 999,00 € Master X3 ProTools TDM (Download) For PC & Mac OSX. Pro Tools HD or HD Accel required 599,00 € 399,00 € MD3 ProTools TDM (Download) For PC & Mac OSX. Pro Tools HD or HD Accel required 1.295,00 € 799,00 € NonLin2 ProTools TDM (Download) For PC & Mac OSX. Pro Tools HD or HD Accel required 495,00 € 149,00 € Tube-Tech CL 1B ProTools TDM (Download) For PC & Mac OSX. Pro Tools HD or HD Accel required 799,00 € 749,00 € UnWrap ProTools TDM (Download) For PC & Mac OSX. Pro Tools HD Accel required 1.250,00 € 999,00 € VSS3 ProTools TDM (Download) For PC & Mac OSX. Pro Tools HD or HD Accel required 795,00 € 399,00 € Mastering Bundle ProTools TDM (Download) For PC & Mac OSX. Pro Tools HD or HD Accel required UnWrap requires HD Accel 1.680,00 € 1.649,00 € Production Bundle ProTools TDM (Download) For PC & Mac OSX. Pro Tools HD or HD Accel required 2.100,00 € 1.829,00 € Studio Complete Bundle ProTools TDM (Download) For PC & Mac OSX. Pro Tools HD or HD Accel required UnWrap requires HD Accel 2.950,00 € 2.399,00 €

Lowender has, by many, been considered the closest to the DBX 120 bass synthesizer hardware unit. But until now to run it you had to use Pluggo which has been discontinued. So at last we can get Lowender back into the Pro Tools world. The new version is 1.1.2 It is native RTAS versions for both Mac and Windows. In addition to some minor bug fixes, version 1.1.2 uses a new authorization code, which you will need the first time you use the plug-in. If you are updating from a previous version, please login at the User Area to get your new authorization code

Zplane have made some improvements that are larger than the 0.0.1 increase in the version number. - (all) new: Goniometer feature - (all) new: Testtone of 997 Hz available - (win) Plugin loads now in Wavelab 6, Nuendo, SonyVegas9 - (mac) Plugin loads now in Nuendo 4 The Goniometer is like a Jellyfish or Oscilloscope trace and can show the usual phase and channel identifying traces as well as how wide the stereo signal is. PPMulator can now generate a digital test tone file that you can import back into your DAW to make sure everything is calibrated.

Waves have introduced a new bundle aimed at sound designers rather than musicians. This is what they have to say... With over 30 plug-ins hand-picked especially for sound designers and post production facilities, the Waves Sound Design Suite is a comprehensive and cost-effective collection of audio plugins that provides all the essentials—without breaking the bank. And to be sure we included the perfect plugins for sound design, Waves worked closely with two of the hardest-working pros in the business: movie maven Scott Martin Gershin (Star Trek, Hellboy 2, Chronicles of Riddick, American Beauty) and game guru Charles Deenen (Need for Speed, Fast & Furious 1 and 2). From conventional effects to creative sonic textures, Sound Design Suite covers all your bases. With compression, EQ, pitch shifting, level maximization, and more, you get everything need to mold, modulate, and mangle your sound. If you’ve been looking for an all-in-one, off-the-shelf audio processing solution, Sound Design Suite is it—no more mixing and matching plugins from different bundles. Whether you work in TV, movies, or games, the Waves Sound Design Suite gives you essential sound-shaping tools, for endless sound design possibilities. Waves Sound Design Suite Includes: C4 Multiband Compressor | DeEsser | Doppler | Doubler | Enigma H-Comp | H-Delay | L1 Ultramaximizer | L2 Ultramaximizer | L3 Ultramaximizer L3-LL Ultramaximizer | Linear Phase EQ | Linear Phase Multiband | LoAir MetaFlanger | MondoMod | Morphoder | Paz Analyzer | Q10 Equalizer PS22 Stereo Maker (TDM Only) | Renaissance Axx | Renaissance Bass Renaissance Compressor | Renaissance EQ | S1 Stereo Imager | SuperTap SoundShifter | TransX | UltraPitch | GTR3 (Software Only) Prices Native $1380 TDM $1920

I number of people have asked me my thoughts of the new HD Native, and so here they are as of today! It is interesting that they call it Native but then say "Oh by the it needs a card and that will cost you $3500 plus a new interface". Now I think most people when they thought of HD Native prior to the release were expecting HD Native to be completely native, ie no card. But is that expectation realistic? Other than for short time with Pro Tools Free and prior to that there was a version of Pro Tools that didn't need hardware; all Digidesign products have needed some form of Digidesign hardware, from the Mbox Micro through to an HD3 with loads of 192 interfaces, so perhaps the expectation of a hardware free system is very desirable but not something Avid is ever going to bring out. They clearly want to protect the brand by providing an range of end to end solutions. However it is interesting to see that they have been much more open to users using their hardware for other platforms, just take a look at the support in the new Mbox series of interfaces. On the other hand I am pleased that the HD Native card will support the 'legacy' interfaces like the 192 etc. I do feel they have over priced the HD Native. That said, surely they do need to protect the HD product, both for themselves and all the users that have invested so heavily in the platform. So do I think the HD Native system has a place? Well for me it is going to come down to how low the latency will be. I just love my HD2 system for tracking, I just don't have to think about latency, disabling plug-ins etc, I just use it. On the few occasions I have tracked on an LE system I have found it a less than enjoyable experience and I think the talent I was recording would have agreed too! I have read that the HD Native will only offer 2 channels of low latency cue mixing which, if true, seems really odd when you look at what they are now offering with the new Mbox control panel. But when mixing with my HD2 system it is a little annoying to have all the processing power in my Mac Pro so underused when it is using the expensive HD Accel cards so the HD Native solution has great merit in that quarter. Avid Audio have missed a trick in not come up with a PCI Express card version so you could have a MacBook Pro and an HD Omni and go, now that would be something worth having. What do you think?

Russ at the AIR Users blog posted a survey on what we think about the new HD Native. He has now posted the results and they make interesting reading. Pro Tools HD Native, what do people think? Our survey of user opinion received the highest ever response to any survey we have run - 346 responses from 38 different countries. First the numbers and then our analysis. What Do You Think Of Pro Tools HD Native? Miss 63% Hit 37% What Do You Think Of The Pricing? Way too expensive 44% More than I think it is worth 38% About right for what you get 16% Excellent value 2% What Will Your Future DAW Be? I'm sticking with my existing Pro Tools set-up 47% I'm an existing Pro Tools user but am now thinking about moving to another DAW 20% I'm now using Pro Tools as well as another DAW 18% I'm buying HD Native and committing to a Pro Tools future 12% I'm no longer a Pro Tools user 3% For Russ's comments and analysis of these results read the post on his excellent blog.

There is nothing yet on the Avid/Digidesign web site but the AIR Users blog seems very well informed. According to the AIR Users blog this is from the press release... 'This morning, Avid Professional Audio, formerly known as Digidesign, announced the arrival of their new Pro Tools|HD Native system, making use of the speed and performance of today's native computer processors and bringing the price of an HD system into the truly affordable range! The Pro Tools|HD Native core card will retail for only $3495, and is compatible with all HD Series interfaces, both the new series of I/O (HD Omni, HD I/O, and HD MADI), but the legacy "Blue" series (192 I/O, 192 Digital I/O, etc.). You can chain up to 4 I/O together for a total of 64 channels of audio, or interface with a single HD MADI I/O. With extremely low latency for a native system, not only will you have the full feature set of the included Pro Tools|HD software, you'll also have an open system using Core Audio and ASIO to run your Logic, Nuendo, Wavelab or other software.' The AIR Users blog go onto to describe it in some more detail... As a basic system, Pro Tools|HD Native consists of an Avid Pro Tools|HD Native Core PCIe card card, Pro Tools|HD software, and an Avid HD interface. These interfaces include the HD I/O, HD Omni I/O, and HD MADI I/O, as well as the legacy 192 I/O, and 96 I/O. DigiLink Mini inputs on the Pro Tools|HD Native Core card provide I/O for up to two separate interface connections and up to 64 channels of ultra-low-latency I/O. Other than TDM plug-in support (which requires DSP), Pro Tools|HD software runs the same with a Pro Tools|HD Native Core system is it does with a Pro Tools|HD Accel system. You get 192 channels of audio (64 at 192kHz), as well as 7.1 surround sound support, Copy to Send, complete multitrack Beat Detective, and other great functions previously unavailable for a native Pro Tools system. And if you're stepping up from a Pro Tools LE system, you'll get all of the plug-ins you already know and love. Avid Pro Tools|HD Native Core Card Features at a Glance: PCIe interface card Compatible with Avid Pro Tools|HD Supports Core Audio and ASIO applications 2 x DigiLink Mini ports interface with Avid HD interfaces including HD I/O, HD Omni I/O, HD MADI I/O, 192 I/O, and 96 I/O Serial port interfaces with SYNCH I/O Provides 64 channels of I/O with almost zero latency Includes Pro Tools|HD DAW and bundled plug-in software Supports full HD feature set including: Support for Mac OS X 10.6 and Windows 7 192 audio tracks, 128 busses Auto delay compensation on hardware and software inserts VCA Mixing Solo Bus AFL/PFL Input Monitoring Destructive/TrackPunch Machine Control ICON Support Advanced audio and video editing For me the interesting things are that here is a native system with ADC as well all the other HD only options. The downside is the cost, $3,500 plus the price of the interface but in another post on the AIR Users blog they make this comparison... Here's a quick chart to show street prices and what the street price for an Avid system could end up at: Apple Logic - $500 Apogee Symphony 64 - $995 Apogee Symphony IO - $1700 16 input card - $2000 16 output card - $2000 TOTAL - $7200 Avid Pro Tools HD FREE Avid PT HD Native - $3000 Avid HD I/O 16in/out - $3650 TOTAL - $6650 Our understanding is that you can also run your DAW on this system so you are not tied to Pro Tools, so if you add the cost of Logic in there you are paying about the same. The only question is, have Avid created a great sounding system that can take on Apogee? Well it is a good question but it does make you wonder whether the Native system will fall between two stools, we shall have to wait and see.

Our Mike Thornton writes the Pro Tools Notes, Techniques and Workshop articles for Sound on Sound as well as reviewing many of the new Pro Tools related products. Note that you will need to be a subscriber to view the recent articles or you can choose to Click & Buy individual ones.   Drive Time - Does Pro Tools sometimes take an unwarranted dislike to one of your hard drives? Here’s how to deal with it, and how to let non-admin users join the Pro Tools party.

Contact your dealer to save even more! SoundGrid bundles not included in this promotion. Upgrades available! Offers good for a limited time only. All purchases and upgrades include one full year of Waves Update Plan coverage. Contact your Waves dealer or visit our online store for details today. Waves Specials are applicable only to the products and time periods specified. They are not retroactive and cannot be combined with any other promotional offers.