Monthly Archive for December, 2009

Eleven Rack Update for All Pro Tools 8.0.3 Systems to fix bug

Published on December 30, 2009 in Digidesign, bug and update. 1 Comment Tags: , .

When I posted on the Pro Tools v8.0.3 I referred to a problem with the Eleven plug-in…

Late Breaking Technical Alert — Eleven Rack with Pro Tools LE 8.0.3
We are investigating a late breaking issue found with the initial release of Pro Tools LE 8.0.3 for Windows. On Windows systems (XP, Vista, Win 7) with Eleven Rack and Pro Tools LE 8.0.3, a Runtime error can occur after creating a new session. In some cases, Pro Tools quits without saving the session. Given the possibility of losing session data, we recommend that Eleven Rack users on Windows DO NOT update to Pro Tools 8.0.3 until we are able to resolve this issue and make a fix available.

Digidesign have worked late and have released a new version of Eleven…

Eleven Rack Update for Pro Tools 8.0.3 — Downloads & Details

Who Should Use This Update?

Even if you do not use an Eleven Rack, this update is recommended for all Pro Tools HD, LE, and M-Powered version 8.0.3 users on Mac and Windows to provide session compatibility with other users that may have an Eleven Rack.

What’s Fixed in This Update?

Runtime error, access violation, crash, and possible session corruption with Pro Tools 8.0.3 and Eleven Rack (Item #121196)

  • The Eleven Rack Update for Pro Tools 8.0.3 resolves an issue in which Pro Tools 8.0.3 (HD, LE, or M-Powered) with Eleven Rack could experience a Runtime error, access violation, or crash after creating a new session. In some cases, Pro Tools would quit without saving the session.
  • On Mac, problems with the appearance and use of the Eleven Rack user interface window in Pro Tools were also seen in some cases.

The Eleven Rack updates for Pro Tools 8.0.3 systems require previous installation of Pro Tools 8.0.3 HD, LE, or M-Powered on Mac or Windows:

Pro Tools 8.0.3 — Downloads & Details

Merry Christmas and thank you

Published on December 24, 2009 in announcement. 0 Comments Tags: .

Hi folks,

I would just like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and all the best for 2010. I may drop in the odd post over the holiday season but normal service will be resumed around 4th Jan 2010.

Thanks again for your support and I look forward to hearing from you in the new year.

Mike.

Pro tools 8 fade window waveform bug

Published on December 24, 2009 in Digidesign, bug and problem. 0 Comments Tags: .

I have just received an email from Will Holiday…

Hi Mike,


I read your pro tools blog a lot, it’s one of the best. I noticed a bug in pro tools 8. When in the fade dialog, and the fades are unlinked, the waveforms are drawn incorrectly when you start moving the fades lines around. (Pic attached). I can’t find anything on the web about this. I wanted to see if you or anyone else knows about it, and if there was some kind of solution. Thanks, and keep up the awesome posts.

and here is his picture…

Thanks Will for this. So I did some checking both on line and on my own system and sure enough on my HD rig I found this…

I also did a search on line both in the DUC and the Anwersbase and only found two references, one from Will flagging it up on the DUC here and also another user mrsticks also flagging it up…

The fades dialog box allows control and manipulation of crossfades. In PT 8 the views of waveforms do not correspond to the movement of the fade lines when unlatched. (This is a feature I use often.) The “B” side of the fade actually decreases visually while you try to increase it. The audio is not affected but it makes creating the fade more difficult because the visual is incorrect.

It will be interesting to see what develops…

Command Focus keyboard shortcut part 1

Published on December 22, 2009 in tips. 3 Comments Tags: , , .

Keyboard shortcuts have been with Pro Tools from the start. The number of shortcuts in Pro Tools has grown as the software has developed. Obviously the more shortcuts you know the better, because the less you move your mouse and so the more productive you become.

The Keyboard Focus commands are a real step forward for single-key operations when the [a...z] focus mode in the Edit window is selected by clicking on the a-z button just below the zoom buttons in the Edit Window in Pro Tools 7 or at the top of the Edit window vertical scroll bar in Pro Tools 8.

These are available to use on all Windows and Mac based Pro Tools systems with only a few timecode related limitations on the LE systems. Good news for those who work with both Windows and Mac based systems that unlike some other shortcuts the Keyboard Focus shortcuts are the same for both Mac and Windows systems.

You may find it helpful to have at least sight of a qwerty keyboard as you read this as the commands are grouped together in areas of the keyboard to make them as intuitive as possible.

Alternatively if you like what you see here you may want to buy a Pro tools keyboard with the shortcuts on it or alternatively a sticker set to go on your existing keyboard…

There is a ‘pain barrier’ to go through to get the Keyboard Focus shortcuts into your way of working but rest assured it will be worth it. Perhaps go through the learning curve with a project where the deadline isn’t too pressing.

So lets start the series with some Zoom Functions…

Zoom Level 1-5 – alpha keys 1 to 5
By using the numbers 1 to 5 above the letter keys (not the number pad) you can access the 5 preset horizontal zoom settings that are 5 buttons just below the zoom buttons in the Edit window (see fig 1). To set these presets adjust the horizontal zoom to suit and then Command+Click on the Mac, or Control+Click on Windows, the appropriate button to save the preset.

Zoom Toggle – E
This will zoom an edit selection (Highlighted selection on a track not a timeline selection) to the width of the edit window. If you press E again it will take you back to the previous zoom setting.

Centre Edit Selection Start – Q
This will put the start of an edit selection in the centre of the edit window.

Center Timeline End – W
This will put the end of an edit selection in the centre of the edit window.

Zoom Out Horizontally – R
This is the same as going up to the toolbar and clicking on the zoom out button.

Zoom In Horizontally – T
This is the same as going up to the toolbar and clicking on the zoom in button.

Source Elements release Source Zip

Published on December 19, 2009 in News. 3 Comments Tags: .

Source Elements the makers of Source Connect have released a file compression app that is specifically designed for audio files and session….

Source-Zip solves a specific problem: you need to send your audio session to another location, but you don’t have the time it takes to send such a large file.
Source-Zip compresses your audio session and all its accompanying files for quick and easy transfer over the internet. Source-zip creates a self-extracting file that you can email or ftp to someone quickly, and once unzipped it recreates your session files exactly as they were – including all meta-data that applications like Pro Tools need to recognize the files, and any other files that were zipped along with your audio. Here is the demo video…

There is a fully functional demo downloadable from here and when you can’t live without it after the 7 day trial is up then you can buy it for $48.

Pro Tools 8.0.3 for Windows now out and a bug too

Published on December 18, 2009 in Digidesign, bug and update. 0 Comments Tags: .

I reported here that Digidesign had released the Mac versions of Pro Tools 8.0.3. They have now relased the Windows versions as well…

Pro Tools 8.0.3 Updates for Windows — December 17, 2009
For Pro Tools 8.0.3 details and downloads, see the following pages:

 There has been an issue with Eleven and PT 8.0.3LE…

Late Breaking Technical Alert — Eleven Rack with Pro Tools LE 8.0.3
We are investigating a late breaking issue found with the initial release of Pro Tools LE 8.0.3 for Windows. On Windows systems (XP, Vista, Win 7) with Eleven Rack and Pro Tools LE 8.0.3, a Runtime error can occur after creating a new session. In some cases, Pro Tools quits without saving the session. Given the possibility of losing session data, we recommend that Eleven Rack users on Windows DO NOT update to Pro Tools 8.0.3 until we are able to resolve this issue and make a fix available.

and  you will still have to wait for the M Power updaters…


Not Yet Available — Coming Soon
  • Pro Tools M-Powered Essential 8.0.3 Update for Windows
  • Pro Tools M-Powered Essential 8.0.3 Update for Mac OS X


also no point going to your dealer for an update disc, this is a download only update…

Please Note: The Pro Tools 8.0.3 Updates are only available by download. You will need to use a broadband connection to download the update for your system. If you are not able to download on your Pro Tools system, you can download the update from any broadband connection, then transfer the update to your Pro Tools system.

Pro Tools 8 – Quicktime Playback sucks

Published on December 17, 2009 in News and problem. 0 Comments Tags: , .

There has been a thread on the DUC about jerky video problems in Pro Tools 8. I have covered this issue here and here. Well buried in the v8.0.3 notes is that 8.0.3 fixes  these problems and confirmed in the DUC thread by this post from Digidesign Tech Support…

The 8.0.3 update has fixes for the Quicktime issues in this thread…!

 Let me know what you find please…

Do I need a Mojo for Pro tools to display video on an analog monitor

Published on December 17, 2009 in tips. 0 Comments Tags: , .

Esus asked on this thread on the DUC, Do I need a Mojo?

I’ve been struggling with this for a while, to no avail–so hopefully someone on here can give me some direction. I’m trying to send QT video from my Pro Tools sessions to an external (composite) monitor, primarily for ADR. I’ve tried sending one of my monitor outputs, which kinda works, but it takes the monitor away and screws up the resolution. I’m guessing I have two options now. One is to try a scan converter, which I can resize the picture and still split the signal between my VGA monitor and the composite monitor, or get a Mojo.
If I go the Mojo route, I’ll have to get one second-hand (eBay). If so, what do I need, and what should I look out for? I don’t need to capture video or show HD files, just send the video to the external monitor.  I’m on a G5 dual 1.8GB Mac, running PT 7.4 on an HD2 system.

tom_lowe replied…

The Canopus ADVC110 is the cheapest alternative to a Mojo that doesn’t require scan converters and is fully qualified by Digidesign. You do have to compensate for the FireWire delay, but a rough (and Digidesign recommended) idea of where to start is around 18 quarter-frames.

infiniteloop added…

….but the Mojo hogs a whole firewire bus. Major bummer.

reichman added…

The ye olde Aurora Fuse-X works perfectly in that configuration, provided you stay in 10.4.x and have PCI-X slots. Almost no latency, and able to work with all Quicktime codecs. On the other hand, no further support.
If you upgrade to a MacPro, the Blackmagic card is great.

Ian Palmer said…

The mojo wont actually play some codecs very well. My system (G5, Tiger, HD2 7.3) has a mojo which will slow to outputting about 1 frame a second after 10 minutes using H264. Mp4s just wont play smoothly.
If you go the way of the Mojo then I’d recommend using MPEGStreamclip to convert any files you have to DV. Besides DV will give you the least strain on the system overall. It takes a short while but is worth it overall for smooth playback.

Craig F added…

The mojo wont actually play some codecs very well. My system (G5, Tiger, HD2 7.3) has a mojo which will slow to outputting about 1 frame a second after 10 minutes using H264. Mp4s just wont play smoothly. Intraframe codes kill all Pro Tools rigs, they plain suck.

Nathan W. suggested..

I use a Gefen 1:4 HDMI splitter, 1 HDMI in to 4 HDMI out. Works pretty good. You need a DVI-D to HDMI adapter linked to a satellite LE system (you gotta get DV Toolkit 2 for timecode on the le system) using DVCProHD. I like the Gefen because there’s hardly any delay. Gefen support is good too. DVCProHD doesn’t work very well unless you’re using a satellite LE system, this is esp. true with the new protools 8 systems. There’s a few bugs though including the “white bar” where you try to fit the video to screen using a 1920X1200 resolution but it doesn’t fit the entire screen perfectly.

Phill. asked…

Sorry to be thick here, but is DV25 the Same as DV Pal and DV NTSC? We use Canopus boxes to output the video to various monitors and projectors, but as I understood it the Canopus will only accept DV Pal at 720×576 or DV NTSC at 720×480.
Is there any way to output the picture to the firewire port but also have it on one of the Mac monitors?

Frank Kruse replied to Phill….

1) Also DV PAL 24fps is fine. WIll generate the ghost-frame on the fly.
2) no.

tigas came back…

Frank, are you saying that the Mojo or the Canopus will generate the ghost frame? That’s not our experience.
We run most files we receive through MPEGStreamclip (batch-mode to DV25) to use with our Mojos. Besides, there are two rooms that do not have Mojo, and those have a DV bridge.
There’s no point in complaining about the size of DV files any more, unless you’re forwarding them to someone else – but in that case, send them copies of the H264. Storage is really cheap nowadays – it’s not external 9GB SCSI drives any more.But, a real reason not to use Mojos is that you basically lose the internal Firewire bus. We’ve never been too successful in making a second FW bus work properly. That means copying external sessions into internal storage before use. Big time-waster.

My experience tallies with Tigas. I find that although DV files are large they put much less load on the computer than compressed files like H264 files.

SurCode for Dolby Pro Logic II v2.4!

Published on December 16, 2009 in News and update. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

 Minnetonka have announced a new version of their ProLogic II plug-in….

PL II ArtProvided as a cross platform plug-in suite, SurCode for Dolby Pro Logic II is now a unified encoder and decoder for:
  • Pro Tool Mac + Windows
  • VST Mac + Windows
  • Standalone Mac + Windows
  • Now all on one ilok license!
flavors
With an all-in-one installer, users can choose when and how to use SurCode for Dolby Pro Logic II, giving you powerful multi-platform deployment at no additional charge. For example, the very same license of SurCode for Dolby Pro Logic II on Pro Tools will authorize both the standalone product, on Mac and Windows, along with instances on any VST host.
  • LtRt downmix – full compatibility
  • Encode and Decode simultaneously in real-time
  • Multi-DAW, multi-instance support
  • Flexible license handling
  • Licensed – Use Dolby logos and trademarks on content produced with this plug-in or application
  • Perfect compliment to SurCode for Dolby E

Digidesign announce Pro Tools v8.0.3 across the range

Published on December 16, 2009 in Digidesign, News and update. 0 Comments Tags: .

Digidesign have announced the immediate availability of updater installers for v8.0.3 for Mac OS X and that 8.0.3 for other platforms will be available soon. Also full web installers for the Mac version should be available in about a week.

Pro Tools 8.0.3 — Downloads & Details

December 15, 2009 — In our ongoing effort to provide you with the best experience possible, Avid has released Pro Tools 8.0.3, a free software update that provides many fixes. 

Pro Tools 8.0.3 is a free update for all Pro Tools 8 owners. Version 8.0.3 supports the following operating systems:

  • Mac OS X 10.6.1 – 10.6.2 (Snow Leopard)
  • Mac OS X 10.5.5 – 10.5.8 (Leopard)
  • Windows XP (Home or Professional, 32-bit)
  • Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (32-bit)
  • Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (64-bit) – Pro Tools M-Powered Essential only
  • Windows 7 (32 and 64-bit) – Pro Tools M-Powered Essential only (Pro Tools HD, LE, and M-Powered can be used on Windows 7 as a public beta)

Please Note: Pro Tools 8.0.3 software (and higher) does not support some retired products:

  • Original Mbox
  • Expansion|HD Chassis
  • Macintosh PowerPC Computers

Please read the EOSS (End of Software Support) Announcements for more information.

Pro Tools 8.0.3 Updates for Mac OS X — December 15, 2009
For Pro Tools 8.0.3 details and downloads, see the following pages:

Not Yet Available — Coming Soon

  • Pro Tools HD 8.0.3 Update for Windows
  • Pro Tools LE 8.0.3 Update for Windows
  • Pro Tools M-Powered 8.0.3 Update for Windows
  • Pro Tools M-Powered Essential 8.0.3 Update for Windows
  • Pro Tools M-Powered Essential 8.0.3 Update for Mac OS X

What they have fixed and left behind makes interesting reading…

Edit Tool Selection via Keyboard Shortcuts is Inconsistent (Item #88083)
In previous versions of Pro Tools, it was easy to accidentally hit the same keyboard shortcut twice and inadvertently switch between Edit Tool types. You can now enable Edit/Tool Mode Keyboard Lock in the Options menu to avoid this. When checked, this option locks the ability to change tool types (for example, to change from the normal Trimmer to the Scrub Trimmer) via keyboard shortcuts. However, tool types can still be changed via the mouse or right-clicking, and you can also still switch between tools (such as switching from the Grabber to the Trimmer) via keyboard shortcut. This option affects the following Edit and Tool modes: Grid, Zoom, Trim, Grabber, and Pencil. 

DigiBase Databases are Created on Every Volume Seen, Regardless of Designation (Item #117627)
Beginning in Pro Tools 8.0.3, Digidesign Database files for each volume are now stored on the system drive only, in the location: /Library/Application Support/Digidesign. The benefits of this change are that Pro Tools will no longer write database files on all mounted volumes, volumes can be ejected from the OS while Pro Tools is running, and it resolves potential corruption issues that could occur when changing read/write permissions on some shared storage systems. With this new behavior, in order to maintain a volume’s index when moving a drive from one system to another, make a copy of the volume’s Digidesign Database file from the location mentioned above and place it in the same location on the second system before launching Pro Tools on the second system. Alternately, a volume’s index can be re-created on the second Pro Tools system. Old Digidesign Database files located at the root level of your volumes can be safely deleted with Pro Tools 8.0.3, although users sharing hard drives with older Pro Tools systems may wish to keep the older Digidesign Database files. 

“Don’t Show This Again” Option Added to Some Error and Warning Dialogs (Item #119037)
Pro Tools 8.0.3 adds a new “Don’t Show This Again” option to some common error and warning dialogs. By checking this box in the error dialog, Pro Tools will no longer post that specific dialog or warning. Once checked, this setting is saved with the system. The list of dialogs which have been chosen can be cleared/reset at anytime in Setup > Preferences > Display by clicking the Reset button next to Reset “Don’t Show This Again” Settings.


Shortcuts for Certain Functions Not Operating (Item #119423)
Keyboard shortcuts to toggle Remote Mode on/off, and to toggle LTC generation on/off, have been added.
• To enable/disable Remote Mode, press Ctrl+Opt+Cmd+J (Mac) or Ctrl+Win+Alt+J (Windows).
• If using an ICON, use the 9-pin Remote switch.
• To enable/disable LTC Generating (GEN LTC), press Ctrl+Cmd+J (Mac) or Ctrl+Win+J (Win).
 
Preference for QuickTime Playback Priority No Longer Needed (Item #117243)
The Preferences > Operation setting for QuickTime Playback Priority has been removed (contemporary CPU performance makes it no longer necessary).
 

Sound Designer 2 Session file format (Mac only)  
Due to our adoption of a more modern disk subsystem, Pro Tools 8.0.3 will no longer support the Sound Designer 2 (SD2) Session format on Mac. Pro Tools will no longer have the ability to create new SD2 sessions, and you will be prompted to convert legacy SD2 sessions to WAV on open (the same behavior which occurs on Windows-based Pro Tools systems). Pro Tools will still be able to preview SD 2 audio files, import and convert them to a supported format, and bounce/export to SD2.

The last item although now a major surprise will be a pain for Mac users with SDII sessions archived away. It will mean it will take longer to get an old session back up and running.

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