Digidesign announced the immediate availability of Pro Tools 8 software. Features include an enhanced feature set, a completely updated user interface, more than 70 bundled plug-ins and virtual instruments, fully integrated MIDI and score editors, and an expanded array of editing features for both music and post-production applications.
New music creation features include fully integrated MIDI and Score Editor windows; a sizable collection of music creation and sound-processing plug-ins; high-quality amplifiers simulation via Digidesign’s new guitar amp emulator Eleven Free and Tech21 SansAmp amplifier emulator; and an 8GB bundle of high-quality loops. For music and post-production professionals, Pro Tools 8 offers Elastic Pitch, which makes it easy to transpose music in real time right in the Edit window; 10 inserts per channel; enhanced controller integration with Digidesign and M-Audio control surfaces; ICON integration enhancements that increase speed and efficiency; and HD QuickTime support on Mac OS X for increased versatility.
Pro Tools HD 8 also enhances the extensive capabilities of Digidesign’s flagship Pro Tools HD audio hardware, with support for the new Satellite Link option, which allows users to control up to five Pro Tools HD systems as one. Additionally, the Avid Media Composer–based Video Satellite option brings Avid HD/SD video playback into the Pro Tools | HD audio workflow, while the new Video Satellite LE option allows Pro Tools HD editors to play QuickTime HD/SD video or Avid SD video from a separate but synched Pro Tools LE system. Satellite Link, Video Satellite and Video Satellite LE will be available in December 2008.
For project studio owners, Pro Tools LE 8 and Pro Tools M-Powered 8 support up to 48 simultaneous audio tracks out of the box. Adding the new Music Production Toolkit 2 or DV Toolkit 2 (Pro Tools LE only) gives users access to up to 64 audio tracks. And for serious Pro Tools LE users, the new Complete Production Toolkit (Pro Tools LE only) combines the content of both toolkits, and offers up to 128 simultaneous audio tracks and 7.1 surround mixing. All three toolkits are currently available through authorized Digidesign dealers, as well as at www.digidesign.com.
