Digidesign has just announced Pro Tools 8. It should be shipping in Canada by the end of the year. It may be available as a downloadable upgrade before that.
New Features
So, as with every software update you have to ask the question: Is it worth it? Will it give me more than just a new number at the end of my software name?
At first glance, this seems like a very impressive update. Knowing Pro Tools 7, here are a few features that point to the fact that this upgrade will be worth it:
Advanced MIDI Editing and New Software Instruments
MIDI is the area that I felt Pro Tools 7 was lagging behind Cubase and Sonar for functionality. They have now added some more virtual instrument plug-ins right out of the box: inluding Mini Grand piano, Boom drum machine, DB-33 tonewheel organ, and Vacuum and Xpand!2™ synths. These are not just "light versions" of other full software expecting you to upgrade.
There are also some new MIDI editing features that seem promising including a separate MIDI Editor window! For avid Cubase users for myself, this is a huge upgrade. You will be able to open your MIDI information in a new floating window, or split the screen (looking a little bit like Garageband, if you are familiar with that program).
Pro Tool 8 also includes a "Scoring Feature." While it will not be as feature rich as Finale or Sibelius, it's nice to have for some situations.
New Look
Pro Tools is now starting to look like it has joined the rest of their competition in the new millennium. Looks are not everything, but it's a nice change.
More Tracks
The default for Pro Tools LE will be 48 tracks now. Nice upgrade, especially as computers are much more powerful now and can one could easily take up the 32 voices available before, especially I found if you are doing anything with post production.
Other Features
It seems they have also added a few more audio plug-ins, more control surface integration and a number of other audio editing and mixing functions. We will review Pro Tools 8 at a later date when we have our hands on it, but from the feature list and videos it is looking like a great upgrade. Available (hopefully) by the end of 2008 for Pro Tools LE, Pro Tools M-Powered and Pro Tools HD.
10.03.2008
Pro Tools 8 announced - is it worth the upgrade?
Digidesign has just announced Pro Tools 8. It should be shipping in Canada by the end of the year. It may be available as a downloadable upgrade before that.
New Features
So, as with every software update you have to ask the question: Is it worth it? Will it give me more than just a new number at the end of my software name?
At first glance, this seems like a very impressive update. Knowing Pro Tools 7, here are a few features that point to the fact that this upgrade will be worth it:
Advanced MIDI Editing and New Software Instruments
MIDI is the area that I felt Pro Tools 7 was lagging behind Cubase and Sonar for functionality. They have now added some more virtual instrument plug-ins right out of the box: inluding Mini Grand piano, Boom drum machine, DB-33 tonewheel organ, and Vacuum and Xpand!2™ synths. These are not just "light versions" of other full software expecting you to upgrade.
There are also some new MIDI editing features that seem promising including a separate MIDI Editor window! For avid Cubase users for myself, this is a huge upgrade. You will be able to open your MIDI information in a new floating window, or split the screen (looking a little bit like Garageband, if you are familiar with that program).
Pro Tool 8 also includes a "Scoring Feature." While it will not be as feature rich as Finale or Sibelius, it's nice to have for some situations.
New Look
Pro Tools is now starting to look like it has joined the rest of their competition in the new millennium. Looks are not everything, but it's a nice change.
More Tracks
The default for Pro Tools LE will be 48 tracks now. Nice upgrade, especially as computers are much more powerful now and can one could easily take up the 32 voices available before, especially I found if you are doing anything with post production.
Other Features
It seems they have also added a few more audio plug-ins, more control surface integration and a number of other audio editing and mixing functions. We will review Pro Tools 8 at a later date when we have our hands on it, but from the feature list and videos it is looking like a great upgrade. Available (hopefully) by the end of 2008 for Pro Tools LE, Pro Tools M-Powered and Pro Tools HD.
