Pro-Tools 10 is out. Should you upgrade?

A few weeks ago on Oct. 27th, Avid had a Live Webcast where they announced the release of Pro-Tools 10. This new version of Pro-Tools adds clip-based gain, real-time fades, and a new plug-in format known as AAX (Avid Audio eXtension) that will ease the trouble people are having with plug-in naming conventions between Pro-Tools and Pro-Tools HD. In addition to the new software, there is also new hardware in the form of a new DSP Processing card called HDX.

Before I get too deep, this is not a 64bit version of pro-tools. There is no faster than real-time bounce and no freeze track. Everyone has been calling for a 64bit version, but they don’t really care about 64 bit. What they want is to be able to address all the RAM in their system for use with Pro-Tools; not just the 4GB maximum limit in a 32bit application. Although this version is not a true 64bit version of Pro-Tools, there is a work around for the 4GB RAM issue for HD and HDX users. The solution is called Disk Cache Mode, which uses an external program (much like Native-Instruments’ Kontakt) to store session audio in RAM for more responsive session-playback.

Pro-Tools 10 is the beginning of the transition to a 64bit version of Pro-Tools for Avid. There are now three versions of Avid’s digital audio workstation software: Pro-Tools, Pro-Tools HD, and Pro-Tools HDX, and there are now five types of plug-ins to deal with about in a variety of Pro-Tools systems, but before Pro-Tools can go completely 64bit there needs to be some development of plug-ins that run in 64bit. The original plug-in formats of AudioSuite and RTAS still work in Pro-Tools 10/HD/HDX, but the big news is the end of development of TDM formatted plug-ins. While your old TDM plug-ins will continue to work in Pro-Tools 10 HD, there is a new plug-in format called AAX that uses the same code-base to deliver two versions of the same plug-in. AAX Native for host-based processing of AAX plug-ins, which will work on any version of Pro-Tools 10, and AAX DSP which will only run on the new HDX cards. Sorry HD users. AAX DSP will not run on HD cards. AAX plug-ins support 64bit mode, so once you’ve transitioned your plug-ins to AAX you’ll be ready for a jump to 64bit app with Pro-Tools 12.

Here’s a breakdown of what you get for your money.

Pro-Tools 10 = $299 upgrade from PT9/$699 new

AAX Native Plugins.
Real-time Fades.
Clip-based gain.
A new Disk Engine so no more DAE Buffer.

Pro-Tools 10 HD = $999 from PT9/$1499 from PT8/$2499 from PT7

AAX Native Plugins.
Real-time Fades.
Clip-based gain.
A new Disk Engine so no more DAE Buffer.
RAM Caching of Sessions.

Pro-Tools HDX = $5999.99 upgrade from HD3/$9,999.99new w/ Omni IO

AAX Native Plugins
Real-time Fades.
Clip-based gain.
A new Disk Engine so no more DAE Buffer.
RAM Caching of Sessions.
16,000 samples of Delay Compensation.
AAX DSP Plugins.