Pro Tools 6 Brings Mac OS X Support, New Look
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October 7, 2002
Pro Tools 6.0 software for Mac OS X adds a powerful set of
new features and improvements that make this the next
evolutionary step for Pro Tools software. With Pro Tools 6.0,
you'll experience a completely new level of efficiency and
effectiveness when working with Pro Tools.
Premier amongst new features is support for Apple's OS X operating system, providing improved,
solid interaction between the Pro Tools environment and Power Mac G4s. You'll also notice a
streamlined new look for the Mix, Edit, and Transport windows, making this the most user-friendly
Pro Tools software environment yet. New multi-user login functionality enables individual users to
save custom display, operation, editing, automation, processing, compatibility, and MIDI
preferences, providing a new degree of personalization with the Pro Tools environment. But that's
just the beginning.
Pro Tools 6.0 software also features the new DigiBase file management utility, enhanced
MIDI functionality (including hi-res groove templates!), additional Beat Detective features, new
Import Session options, plug-in functionality enhancements, MachineControl additions, and much
more.
Improved Organization
Often, the larger your Pro Tools session, the more difficult it is to get your head around all the
elements it contains. Media files may be located on different drives, both internal and external;
and if you're working on multiple projects with multiple media sources (external drives, effects
CDs, etc.), the possibility of confusion increases dramatically.
To help you keep it all straight, Pro
Tools 6.0 software includes a new
file management utility called
DigiBase. Functionally, DigiBase is
similar to Mac's Finder or Windows'
Explorer, enabling you to manage
all of the files on your system.
Moreover, DigiBase allows you to
view complete file information
including duration, timestamps, and
two user comments fields. Display
layouts can be customized to focus
exclusively on the information you
need.
You can also audition files and view
their waveform thumbnails before
importing into Pro Tools, regardless
of file format or sample rate. When
you've determined a selection, the
one-step drag-and-drop process
from DigiBase to your session timeline includes automatic file copy and conversion, guaranteeing
compatibility with your project. What's more, Pro Tools 6.0 now handles many tasks such as
copying, conversion, and fade creation in the background so that you can continue to record and
edit without interruption. A new Task Manager feature also enables users to monitor and manage
background processes.
With the additional functionality provided by the DigiBase Pro option (TDM systems only), file
management options are further enhanced. DigiBase Pro provides for the creation and sharing of
custom catalogs that reference files wherever they're stored, including on networks and offline
media. You're also able to view, search and spot files from offline media such as sound effects
libraries, CDs, etc. And you can pinpoint the files you need by searching on any combination of
file information, such as file type, comment, and creation date.
More MIDI and Beat Detective
Pro Tools 6.0 software incorporates enhanced MIDI functionality,
including full support for Mac OS X's Core MIDI Services. MIDI
Time Stamping (MTS) support provides sample-accurate MIDI
with Pro Tools-compatible software synths and samplers,
eliminating the possibility of compromised sync and drift issues.
Also, you can take advantage of up to sub-millisecond-accurate
MIDI with Digidesign's MIDI I/O and other supported
MTS-capable interfaces, rivaling any dedicated hardware
sequencer.
Pro Tools 6.0 software's new MIDI capabilities also afford you
extensive manipulation of rhythmic content through powerful
groove creation and modification tools. The Groove Quantize
feature incorporates intelligent Bar|Beat adjustment as well as
support for the new 960 ppq DigiGroove templates.
Since its arrival, Pro Tools' Beat Detective tool has proven to be
an extremely valuable resource for all kinds of production
applications. Now with the new Beat Detective functionality (TDM
systems only), you are able to extract and generate DigiGroove
templates based on audio performances and utilize both the
timing and the dynamics of passages elsewhere in your
composition. These DigiGroove templates are also compatible
with new Groove Injection templates from Numerical Sound.
Pro Tools 6.0's MIDI implementation also features a new Restore Performance function, enabling
you to return to an original MIDI-based performance at any time. Working in this non-destructive
manner, you can experiment unhindered with the assurance that you can always recover from
adjustments made during the course of your project. Of course, if you've settled on changes, the
Flatten Performance feature solidifies your edits and gives you a new, permanent basis from
which to proceed.
Additional new features include a new Relative Grid option, a new keyboard shortcut for
temporarily disabling Grid mode, and definable note duration when drawing notes (the Pencil tool
now also trims notes). The Trim tool now trims notes in Velocity view, and MIDI Operations and
Tempo/Meter Change are easily accessible floating windows. And in addition to more MIDI tracks
than ever before (256), Pro Tools 6.0 supports DirectMIDI for plug-ins, enabling automatic tempo
data broadcasting to select plug-ins to ensure that rhythmic delays stay in time without user
intervention.
Increased Mixing Options
The mixing environment in Pro Tools
TDM 6.0 offers new efficiencies to
further your effectiveness. Premier
amongst those is the ability to
import any track attributes from one
session into another (TDM systems
only). Specifically you can choose to
import any combination of track data
including audio playlists, MIDI
playlists, mixer automation, routing
assignments, plug-in instances and
settings, and plug-in automation.
Plus, you can choose to replace or
overlay the data in relation to your
existing session. This new Import
Session Data capability that can be
used in a variety of ways: For
instance, if you've perfected a set of
drum tracks, or portions thereof, you
can migrate only the channel
attributes you want to another
session's raw drum tracks. Or, if you need to scale down a mix to a smaller system, you can
easily move sessions between systems with different I/O configurations by importing only the
track data you choose on a per-track basis. And, analogous to changing tape out in a traditional
analog environment, Pro Tools 6.0 supports the importing of audio/MIDI playlists while
preserving the mixer layout, routing, and plug-in settings.
Other improvements include the Selector tool's (I-beam) ability to select across multiple tracks as
well as a definable Zoom for toggling track heights.
More Control
MachineControl option enhancements (TDM only) are also included in Pro Tools 6.0, providing
post professionals with an even higher degree of workflow streamlining. A new Machine Profile
utility enables you to create deck configuration profiles for controlling any Sony 9-pin controllable
deck, and includes support for custom track name entry in each deck profile, for even easier
operation when remotely track arming. 9-pin deck emulation operation now includes a "Remote
LTC Mode" allowing you to chase LTC while receiving 9-pin record and track-arming commands.
The result: support for higher track counts and faster operation when in deck emulation. You are
also able to generate timecode while emulating a 9-pin deck.
A new Offset setting for MachineControl, chasing timecode, and MMC enables you to compensate
for minor differences in source tape versions. You can create a single session with multiple VOs
and then quickly offset Pro Tools compared to the tape for each layback performed. Additionally,
the Set Timecode Position function allows you to select a location in your timeline and re-enter its
timecode position, relatively resetting the entire timeline.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Digidesign-approved Pro Tools TDM (Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools|24 MIX, Pro Tools|24) or LE (Digi
001 and ToolBox) system running Mac OS X (support for Mbox and Digi 002 coming soon).
Pro Tools on Windows XP support of the new features, and OSX compatibility with AVoption|XL,
Unity, and MediaManager are scheduled for Q2, 2003.
For more information, visit their web site at www.digidesign.com. |
