Tonight I went along to a function suite at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall for Avid's demonstration of the new ProTools version 9 range.
I was heavily impressed. For a long time I've felt like I was missing out with ProTools LE 8 - missing basic functions that other front-end programs contained as standard (such as the option to bounce to mp3).
With PT9 comes the shake-up that I was beginning to think I'd never see. Not only have Avid ditched the M-powered and LE versions, but the fact that any DAW or control surface (or none at all!) can be used (thanks to ASIO and Core Audio Support - yay!), has really opened up the avenues for further creativity.
One or two other features that were demonstrated were increased track count, delay compensation and Avid "Heat" (a lovely, warm, "make-sound-nice-button" that induces a sort of tube-amp/tape-saturation warmth to your mix).
Equally impressive were the range of new Euphonix control surfaces. Not just limited to use with ProTools; these magic, slim, ergonomically designed wonders of invention adopt the EUCON Ethernet protocol, allowing them to be used in conjunction with any program that also adopts this protocol (Logic, Cubase, Digital Performer, Final Cut, Maestro... to name but a few) - and to top it all off for all you non Mac-type people; it works on windows 7 too.
You don't get away Scot-free... you still have to buy/have an i-lock (a small price to pay and these have been given a makeover too).
All in all, I'm really impressed with Avid's new "customer based" approach to it's products - long may it continue!
Thanks to Mediaspec and Avid for organising the event and I look forward to the next one!
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