Pro Tools M-Powered 7 Reviewed

NEW Pro Tools M-Powered
The new Pro Tools software that works with M-Audio interfaces

Click Here for more info and to Buy Pro Tools Free Shipping in Canada

PRODUCT: Pro Tools M-Powered Recording Software
PLATFORM: Windows XP/ Mac OS X
SUMMARY: This is big news: Pro Tools has released a version of their Pro Tools LE that works with some M-Audio cards and interfaces. For starters it will work with the 2496 series and the new 192 series PCI cards as well as the M-Audio Firewire 410 and 1814 and Ozonic. My big complaint prior to this release was that Pro Tools LE was "proprietary" meaning it only worked with their hardware. Now this opens up a wealth of possibilites. The files will be fully compatible with other versions of Pro Tools and will come with a suite of effects including a lite version of Ableton Live. The full info is below. Should be in the store mid May. Be watching for a free clinic soon.

DETAILS: Below are the details lifted from the M-Audio site:

Features

* Award-winning audio recording, editing, and mixing
* 32 simultaneous audio tracks
* Fully integrated MIDI sequencing with 256 simultaneous MIDI tracks
* Includes over 30 free RTAS and AudioSuite plug-ins, including EQ, dynamics, delays, reverb, and more
* Easily stream output from ReWire applications like Ableton Live directly into Pro Tools M-Powered software for further mixing and processing
* Unique Beat Detective LE automatic groove analysis and correction tool
* Supports Digidesign's Command|8 control surface for hands-on mixing
* Huge selection of optional plug-ins and applications available from Digidesign and Digidesign Development Partners
* Works on Windows XP and Mac OS X systems

Pro Tools M-Powered is an exciting new version of Digidesign's award-winning Pro Tools software designed to work with select M-Audio hardware interfaces. An ideal way to professionally record, edit, and mix your music, Pro Tools M-Powered software includes many of the same features that top studios rely on to produce Grammy-winning albums and Academy Award-winning film sound.

Pro Tools M-Powered software opens a new door for you to take advantage of the recording industry's most popular audio/MIDI production software using a variety of M-Audio interfaces. Plus, you've also got access to additional Digidesign and Digidesign Development Partner products designed specifically for Pro Tools including the Command|8 control surface.

Pro Tools M-Powered software is surprisingly easy to use, and is completely cross-platform, supporting both Windows XP- and Mac OS X-based computers. What's more, sessions created with Pro Tools M-Powered software will open on both Digidesign Pro Tools TDM and LE systems, giving you instant compatibility with countless Pro Tools-equipped project and professional studios around the world.

Professional Recording, Editing & Mixing

Pro Tools M-Powered software gives M-Audio hardware enthusiasts a new way to tap into the powerful recording, editing, and mixing features of Pro Tools. With up to 32 simultaneous tracks of 16- or 24-bit digital audio, and support for up to 96 kHz sample rates, you've got the tools and options you need to record yourself or an entire band.

Once you've done your recording, you can fine-tune your performances with Pro Tools unmatched nondestructive editing tools. Shape sounds, compose parts, and add effects with RTAS (real-time AudioSuite) instrument and effects plug-ins. Create polished mixes with professional mixing features and full mixer automation. Automatically analyze and tighten percussion tracks with Beat Detective LE. With Pro Tools M-Powered, you've got the tools you need to create professional mixes wherever you want to take your music.

Integrated MIDI Sequencing

In addition to professional audio editing and mixing, Pro Tools M-Powered software also includes a fully integrated MIDI sequencer allowing you to record, edit, and mix up to 256 MIDI tracks alongside your audio. Use loop recording to quickly develop a multi-layered drum beat; then, take advantage of Groove Quantize to give it the right feel. Use MIDI Step Input to lay down a difficult passage. Use your favorite instrument plug-in to get the sound you're after. With Pro Tools M-Powered, your MIDI composing options are wide open.

Plug-ins Galore

Pro Tools M-Powered software not only provides access to award-winning Pro Tools software you're also instantly able to take advantage of a variety of products designed by the recording industry's largest professional third-party developer community. From powerful host-based instruments to affordable effects processing plug-ins that emulate expensive vintage outboard gear, Digidesign Development Partners make a wide range of products compatible with Pro Tools M-Powered software.

Pro Tools M-Powered software supports RTAS and AudioSuite plug-ins. Similar to Digidesign Pro Tools TDM and LE systems, Pro Tools M-Powered includes more than 30 DigiRack & Bomb Factory plug-ins, including EQ, dynamics, delay, reverb, and many more. Pro Tools M-Powered software also supports ReWire, allowing you to stream the output of your favorite ReWire-compatible application directly into Pro Tools for further mixing and processing. Finally, you may also take advantage of the huge selection of VST plug-ins on the market via FXpansion's VST-to-RTAS Adapter.

Flexible and Portable

Pro Tools M-Powered software works with a variety of M-Audio interfaces, from the Audiophile 2496, with its small footprint and basic I/O functionality, up to the comprehensive 18-in/14-out FireWire 1814 interface, and Ozonic, the integrated 37-key audio/MIDI FireWire interface and controller. Plus, M-Audio FireWire peripherals are powered from the computer's FireWire bus (6-pin FireWire port required), providing a new variety of completely portable, go-anywhere FireWire-based Pro Tools workstations.

Seamless Session Interchange

Sessions created with Pro Tools M-Powered software may be opened with any Windows XP- or Mac OS X-based Digidesign Pro Tools TDM or LE system, giving you unprecedented production options for your music. Seamlessly collaborate with other musicians using Pro Tools M-Powered or Pro Tools LE systems. Easily take your projects to a Pro Tools|HD-equipped recording studio to have it mixed by a pro. With Pro Tools M-Powered, select M-Audio interface owners instantly become members of the largest community of digital audio workstation users in the world.

MORE INFORMATION: Pro Tools at the M-Audio Official site

BUY PRO TOOLS LE OR PRO TOOLS M-POWERED ONLINE AT

REVOLUTION AUDIO CANADA
CANADA'S SOURCE FOR HOME RECORDING

EQ Your Song to Clarity!

by Jason Johnston The difference between a pro sounding mix and an amateur mix is quite simple: One sounds good and one does not. Just joking...the real answer of a great mix lies in the space that each sound and track is given. We are limited in our sonic frequency. We humans only hear between 20 Hz to 20 KHz, which may sound like a wide frequency but is still limited. One you get your bass, drums (spanning very lows to highs), guitars and keys, then try to add a vocal on top of the mix - the frequency range starts sounding a little crowded. And this is what a good engineer actually is: crowd control. You want each parts and sound to have its own space. There is going to be overlap, without question. But what you don't want is sounds competing for the same frequencies. This is where EQ (short for Equalization) comes into play. EQ basically adjusts the volume up or down of certain frequencies. The frequencies depend on the detail of the EQ. This the standard advice on using EQ: Cut before you boost. In otherwords, if you are looking for more of a particular sound, cut the other frequencies that might be competing with it before you resort to increasing the volume of the frequencies of the track that you want. One great example of this is getting a vocal to sit correctly in the mix. Sometimes what works best is notching out some of the sonic space that the other tracks are using and competing with the vocals and you'll find your vocal will stand up in the mix without adding any more volume to it. Listen to the chorus of U2's "Beautiful Day" and you will hear what I mean. There are a zillion layers going on during that chorus and yet you can understand every word Bono sings. So find that sonic clarity in your songs by using EQ to carve out sonic spaces for each part. If you make a great mix it is a good (and sobering) practice to listen to it along side professional mixes that you like. Don't be discouraged, even Bono needs a Daniel Lanois.

MIDI Basics: importing MIDI into Pro Tools and Finale

By Jason Johnston What is MIDI? MIDI is an acronym for "Music Instrument Digital Interface". It was developed in the 80's as a computer music language that electronic instruments could use to communicate to one another using a midi cable. Here's the KEY: MIDI only sends INFORMATION it does not send AUDIO. Basically computer instructions - Ones and Zeros, that's it. Today, USB devices still use MIDI instructions to tell the computer what to do. What can it do? MIDI is extremely flexible. With it you can: - Change tempo without affecting sound quality - Edit individual notes and sounds easily - Edit groups of notes (like transposing, shifting by a beat, etc) - Edit dynamic elements (velocity, hold, expression) - Quantize pushing the MIDI notes into time - Change sounds at the click of a button What can't it do? - It cannot be exported without first changing to a AUDIO file - It (still) cannot replicate some sounds well (human voice, acoustic guitar) although it is getting closer Using MIDI Files in Pro Tools to create a background track 1) Search and download a desired MIDI file (use Apple-click to download to a targeted folder) 2) Start a new session, named and filed appropriately 3) Use the "import MIDI to track" command from the File menu 4) From the File menu select "New Track" and create as many audio tracks as you have new MIDI tracks 5) On each AUDIO track assign a new desired software instrument in the "insert" area and rename the track 6) On each MIDI track assign the "out" in the i/o area to send to the desired software instrument audio track 7) Mix your new song and record a new lead vocal over the top if you want! 8) Bounce your background to disk by selecting File>bounce to disk a. File Type: (.wav) b. Format: Stereo Interleaved c. Resolution: 16 bit d. Sample Rate: 441000 9) Click "bounce" and in the next dialog box type a song name and where you would like it saved as a ".wav" file (playable in iTunes or for burning on a disk) Using MIDI Files in Finale to create a lead sheet and/or background 1) Search and download a desired MIDI file (use Apple-click to download to a targeted folder) 2) Launch Finale and click on "Open" under "Open Existing Music" 3) Select the MIDI file to open it 4) A dialogue box will open, make sure: a. Tracks become staves is selected b. All boxes under "Include" are clicked on c. "Create Percussion Staves" is selected d. Both the Key Signature and Time Signature are selected "using the file's" e. The rest should be automatic 5) Finale should show you multiple tracks of scored music, just like the MIDI file was recorded. Try hitting play and see what it sounds like, it should automatically assign instruments to each file. These are "General MIDI" instruments and won't sound as good as instruments in Cubase, Pro Tools or Garageband, but they are better than nothing! Here are a few links where you can search and download for MIDI files:

www.mididb.com
This music teacher has a good selection
Lots of MIDI files at www.vanbasco.com

Disclaimer: These MIDI files should only be used for educational and entertainment purposes - please abide by the copyright laws of your country!