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Pro Tools
 | |
| Original author(s) | Evan Brooks Peter Gotcher |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Avid Audio under Avid Technology (previously Digidesign) |
| Initial release | January 20, 1989 |
| Stable release | Pro Tools 2024.6
/ June 20, 2024 |
| Written in | C, C++, Assembly |
| Operating system | macOS, Windows |
| Available in | 8 languages |
List of languages Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Spanish | |
| Type | Digital audio workstation |
| License | Proprietary (software-as-a-service) |
| Website | www |
Pro Tools is a digital audio workstation (DAW) developed and released by Avid Technology (formerly Digidesign)[1] for Microsoft Windows and macOS.[2] It is used for music creation and production, sound for picture (sound design, audio post-production and mixing)[3] and, more generally, sound recording, editing, and mastering processes.
Pro Tools operates both as standalone software and in conjunction with a range of external analog-to-digital converters and PCIe cards with on-board digital signal processors (DSP). The DSP is used to provide additional processing power to the host computer for processing real-time effects, such as reverb, equalization, and compression[4] and to obtain lower latency audio performance.[5] Like all digital audio workstation software, Pro Tools can perform the functions of a multitrack tape recorder and a mixing console along with additional features that can only be performed in the digital domain, such as non-linear[6] and non-destructive editing (most of audio handling is done without overwriting the source files), track compositing with multiple playlists,[7] time compression and expansion, pitch shifting, and faster-than-real-time mixdown.
Audio, MIDI, and video tracks are graphically represented on a timeline. Audio effects, virtual instruments, and hardware emulators—such as microphone preamps or guitar amplifiers—can be added, adjusted, and processed in real-time in a virtual mixer. 16-bit, 24-bit, and 32-bit float audio bit depths at sample rates up to 192 kHz are supported. Pro Tools supports mixed bit depths and audio formats in a session: BWF/WAV (including WAVE Extensible, RF64 and BW64) and AIFF. It imports and exports MOV video files[8] and ADM BWF files (audio files with Dolby Atmos metadata);[9] it also imports MXF, ACID and REX files and the lossy formats MP3, AAC, M4A, and audio from video files (MOV, MP4, M4V).[10] The legacy SDII format was dropped with Pro Tools 10,[11] although SDII conversion is still possible on macOS.[10]
Pro Tools has incorporated video editing capabilities, so users can import and manipulate high-definition video file formats such as XDCAM, MJPG-A, PhotoJPG, DV25, QuickTime, and more. It features time code, tempo maps, elastic audio, and automation; supports mixing in surround sound, Dolby Atmos and VR sound using Ambisonics.[12]
The Pro Tools TDM mix engine, supported until 2011 with version 10, employed 24-bit fixed-point arithmetic for plug-in processing and 48-bit for mixing. Current HDX hardware systems, HD Native and native systems use 32-bit floating-point resolution for plug-ins and 64-bit floating-point summing.[4] The software and the audio engine were adapted to 64-bit architecture from version 11.[13]
In 2022, Avid switched Pro Tools from a perpetual license to a subscription model. New users have to choose between three new plans: Pro Tools Artist, which costs $9.99 per month or $99 per year; Pro Tools Studio, which costs $39.99 per month or $299 per year; and Pro Tools Flex, which costs $99.99 per month or $999 per year.[14] Later in 2022, Avid launched a free version: Pro Tools Intro.[15]
In 2004, Pro Tools was inducted into the TECnology Hall of Fame, an honor given to "products and innovations that have had an enduring impact on the development of audio technology."[16]
- ^ Collins 2002, p. 9.
- ^ "Pro Tools Operating System Compatibility Chart". avid.force.com. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
- ^ "Pro Tools | Ultimate - Audio Editing Software - Features". Avid. July 25, 2019. Archived from the original on July 25, 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
- ^ a b Wherry, Mark (April 2012). "Avid HDX". Sound on Sound. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
- ^ Thornton, Mike (February 2015). "Working Late". Sound on Sound. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
- ^ Avid 2019, p. 7, 2. Pro Tools Concepts.
- ^ Thornton, Mike (April 2009). "Track Comping". Sound on Sound. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
- ^ Avid 2020, p. 1210, 53. Mixdown.
- ^ Avid 2020, p. 1280–1281, 57. Mixing to Dolby Atmos.
- ^ a b Avid 2020, p. 412–413, 21. Importing and Exporting Session Data.
- ^ "Sound Designer II audio file support with Pro Tools 10.3.6 and higher". avid.force.com. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
- ^ Sherbourne, Simon (October 18, 2017). "Ambisonics and VR/360 Audio in Pro Tools | HD". Avid Blogs. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
:19was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Holt, Kris (April 27, 2022). "Pro Tools is now only available as a subscription service". Engadget. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
- ^ "Introducing Pro Tools Intro". Avid. September 28, 2022.
- ^ "TECnology Hall of Fame, 2004". TECawards.org. 2004. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
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