Russ shows how to get more interesting acoustic guitars using the example from the track “Let Her Go” by Passenger.

• Members watch it here
• Watch it here for $1 using on demand

Native Instruments has today turned back the clock again with ABBEY ROAD 50s DRUMMER.

A KONTAKT instrument Abbey Road 50s Drummer features the sound of two classic drum kits from the 1950s. The kits provide the distinctive drum sound of the era, which was necessary to compete with the electrified instruments gaining popularity at the time. Recorded with both state-of-the-art and period equipment at Abbey Road Studios in London, 50s DRUMMER also includes a groove library, mixer presets, and a new set of brush articulations, delivering the authentic feel of rock and roll, rhythm and blues, country, and jazz from the 1950s.

ABBEY ROAD 50s DRUMMER features rare instruments from the very earliest years of popular music. The first kit is an early 1950s Gretsch Cadillac Green Nitron with a 20” bass drum, 12” rack tom and 14” floor tom. Its toms are tuned low, providing a smooth, open sound that still allows excellent placement in a mix full of amplified instruments. The second drum kit is a late-1950s WFL kit. The WFL provides 20” kick drum, 12” and 13” rack toms, and a 16” floor tom. The WFL kit’s toms are tuned high, offering a brighter tone that perfectly complements the Gretsch. Each kit features three different snare drums from the same period, offering a wide tonal variety and added degree of customization. The kits are outfitted with a selection of 1950s Zildjian A and K cymbals to round out their authentic vintage tone.

Click to read more ...

I have just come across a new player on the cloud storage and file sharing ‘block’ simply called Copy. Two things caught my attention. They give you 15GB to start with and then if you find a successful referral then you both get an extra 5GB, not just the person offering the invitation.

Copy comes from Barracuda Networks and is a new online file syncing, sharing and storage service built on the secure Barracuda Cloud. Since its public debut less than 90 days ago, Copy apparently is already approaching half a million users worldwide.

Another feature clearly aimed at Dropbox is Copy’s “Fair Storage for All” Initiative — Instead of counting data in shared folders against all members’ individual storage quotas so everyone pays for the same data over and over, Copy allows users to “split the bill” and control which files count against their storage capacity. You can watch the 40-second video on the Copy “Fair Storage for All” initiative. 

Copy works across Windows, Mac OSX, and Linux computers and offers mobile device support for Apple iOS (iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad) and Android, with Windows Mobile coming soon.

Copy say that they provide a secure alternative to other cloud storage services. Included data verification inspects data before Copy accepts it into the user’s cloud storage. File-level ownership is verified prior to transferring anything to other devices. Copy also allows users to share files privately using Copy’s built-in identify verification. It also has the same “share public link’ feature that Dropbox has with the same idea of a folder you drop stuff in to share and backup across all your computers just like Dropbox.

Individual Copy accounts provide 15GB of cloud storage free of charge, and paid plans start at $9.99USD/month or $99USD/year for up to 250GBs.

This is obviously a new outfit so we don’t have a track record to judge them by but it wouldn’t take much for them to outplay some of their obvious competitors, so if this range of features appeals then sign up, install the app and we both get an extra 5GB of space.

When we discussed the issue of “Should Pro Tools Users Get Same Software Features As Pro Tools HD Users?” in Podcast 65 Neil came up with the idea of “In App” purchases following our conversation about Apple’s App business model. Surely this wouldn’t be that difficult as Avid have added the Marketplace menu into Pro Tools 10. This got me thinking, what the feature options might be…

• Instrument tracks 64 up to 128
• Surround to to 7.1
• Extended RAM/disk cache
• TrackPunch / DestructivePunch
• Input monitoring
• VCA mixing
• Solo bus AFL/PFL
• Advanced audio editing
• Advanced automation
• Advanced video editing 

What do you think? Are there any other features? What prices would you put on each of these features?

I think it is safe to say this won’t happen for the Pro Tools 11 launch unless Avid decide to do a ‘hackathon’ session, but I suspect they are flat out getting Pro Tools 11 ready to launch so it is more likely to happen in a future upgrade if they decide it is a good idea.

Whilst at NAB 2013, between breaks demoing RX2, Mike chatted with iZotope’s Matt Hines and found out how the company started from a dorm room at MIT. Listen to the interview to find out the rest.

Listen on iTunes

If you cannot see the audio controls, listen/download the audio file here

Russ, Mike, Neil & James are here with a packed Pro Tools Expert podcast that includes; 

• Competitions
• Pro Tools PC - more details announced
• Is there a new Macbook Air on the way… 
• Cedar Show & Tell Review
• Avid changes CPTK upgrade prices
• Should Pro Tools Users Get Same Software Features As Pro Tools HD Users?
• Community tip 1 - Chris Bryne - UAD Forum post - Lev Perry response on PTE
• Community tip 2 - Matt Blue
• Community tip 3 - Marco Niccolai - Eleven Rack Help Guide
• Community tip 4 - Christopher Shaw
• Problems with Pro Tools 7 with Mountain Lion 10.8.x 
• Problems with PT7 & Windows 8
• Unable to install PT10 on Windows 8
• Pro Tools session compatibility with PT 6.4 sessions
• Sharing Pro Tools sessions from PT Express to PT9 - Mike’s video tutorial
• Pro Tools 10 & Structure LE Structure 1.0.5
• Track bounce and freeze in PT10
• Playlist on MIDI tracks in Pro Tools 10
• Audio from Pro Tools HDX to Allen & Heath GRS24M Pro Tools Resources Pack

You can listen here;

• Listen on iTunes here
• Download the MP3 here

Our recent discussion about Pro Tools HD features without buying the hardware had a great response.

We continued the discussion on the podcast and decided to run this poll. We’ve based it on the price of Steinberg Nuendo (around £1500) although you have to pay £300 extra to get the NEK (Nuendo Expansion Kit) for the more composer friendly Cubase features. 

However we want to know how many Pro Tools users would pay £1500 to get all the HD features without the hardware. Please feel free to comment.

Sonnox have just announced on their Facebook page the release of the AAX version of their Oxford Limiter plug-in, much loved by post and music guys alike. Anyone like to spot the difference? This is what they say…

Unique processing in the form of the Enhance function provides the sample value limiting needed to reliably avoid overloads in digital workstation environments and allows unprecedented volume and punch to be applied to programme beyond that available from conventional limiting functions. 

Comprehensive metering is provided which displays not only conventional peak sample value, but additionally allows the user to monitor the true validity of the programme in order to avoid the generation of damaging reconstruction overloads in the target equipment which are often invisible during production (sometimes termed ‘inter sample peaks’).

A further function allows the user to dynamically correct for reconstruction overloads in real time, thereby achieving maximum possible modulation levels without the risks of producing illegal signals often associated with compression and limiting.

Comprehensive dithering functionality with selectable and variable depth noise shaping ensures first class mastering output quality in either 24 bit or 16 bit modes.

Features

• Enhance section to increase perceived loudness
• Reconstruction meter shows ‘actual’ signal rather than sampled signal
• Auto compensate feature corrects recon errors without losing overall programme loudness
• Attack, release and variable soft knee controls
• Comprehensive dither and noise shaping
• Complete with many factory presets

Formats

HD-HDX: Pro Tools AAX DSP, TDM, Native

Native: Pro Tools AAX Native, RTAS, Audio Units and VST

Russ takes a look at some of the drum sample libraries from Drums on Demand. The libraries work with Structure, Kontakt, EXS, Reason and Garageband.

Waves are to turn TDM v9 licenses into Soundgrid licenses, this is what they have said….

Very soon, the TDM licenses in your Waves account will be replaced by a new SoundGrid license. Your TDM compatibility will remain unchanged; but now, you’ll be able to take advantage of the awesome new possibilities offered by the SoundGrid platform. SoundGrid will breathe new life into your system, and extend its functionality for years to come. If you use Waves TDM V8 or below, and are covered by Waves Update Plan, move up to V9 and receive the SoundGrid licenses at no additional charge.

Also they have reitterated their support of AAX NAtive…

Waves is currently working closely with Avid on AAX Native support in time for the Pro Tools 11 release. This means you can breathe easy, knowing that the plugins you purchase now will be fully supported today, tomorrow and into the future. In fact, whether you bought your plug-ins 5 years, 10 years, even 20 years ago – as long as your Waves Update Plan coverage is current, you’ll receive the AAX Native update at no additional charge. And with SoundGrid in the mix, you’ll get more from your AAX plugins, for less than you’ve ever imagined.

This confirms their plans to compete with AAX DSP using their DigiGrid platform, so another hardware platform to run dsp type plug-ins.

Community member Marco Niccolai wrote to us with a brilliant email containing an in-depth exploration of Eleven Rack - even if you don’t own it then you should check this out. It is very thorough and Marco deserves our thanks!

“Hello Pro Tool Expert, I really appreciate your daily support, this time a wish to give, if can help, a little tribute to the community. I start to appreciate Avid Eleven Rack, it recreates a lot of nice gear, but it’s not easy to understand what you are using whatching only a small graphic interface. So I took the detailed descriptions on Avid site, some pics of the gear and the corresponding ER interface. Put all together and did a recap on a PDF. If you think this can be useful for the community, you can download from here and  let it be available for who want it.”

Thanks Marco, this is excellent.

Download your copy here

In this video Mike shows how to use Save Session Copy to preapre a session so that it is saved with all its media and the correct version ready for your collaborator.

• Members watch it here
• Or watch it here on demand for $1 

Ample Guitar M Lite aims to bring the Martin D-41 Guitar sound to your studio.

Ample Guitar Lite M is a 670MB reduced version of the 5.59GB Ample Guitar M virtual acoustic guitar.

It features:

• 668 samples in 16-bit / 44.1kHz 
• First four frets limit with fingerstyle - no strumming here. 
• 5 playing techniques are included; sustain, hammer on, pull-off, palm mute and popping
• Reverb and a stereo delay.

Ample Guitar M Lite is available in VST, RTAS and AU formats on Mac OS X and Windows 32 and 64-bits. You can download and compare it to the full version at www.amplesound.net.

Or check our FREE plug-ins database for all the FREE Pro Tools plug-ins

There seems to be a lot of interest and discussion around a the whole issue of Pro Tools users getting the same software features as Pro Tools HD users. Perhaps Avid have made a rod for their own back, this was in fact what CPTK gave users before it was dropped from Pro Tools 11.

However, there are two sides to this argument - on the one side there are those who want the features but don’t want to have to buy what they see as a hardware dongle. On the other side we have those who have invested a great deal in a full HD/HDX system who feel somewhat p*ssed off when they see none-HD users getting the same software. It’s a fallacy to think that HDX users simply benefit from better software, DSP hardware offers lower latency at higher track counts, so there’s more to this debate than simply a software one.

Some suggest that no other company offers tiered systems, not true. Steinberg have several versions of Cubase, as well as Nuendo. Cakewalk Sonar and Studio One have several versions, Reason comes in two versions. Whereas DP and Logic do not, although one could argue that Garageband is Logic Lite. Furthermore, Apple are a unique case, as the software is part of the complete OS package when buying Apple hardware and is often used as a loss-leader to get people to buy Apple computers. Comparing a FREE copy of Garageband with something like Pro Tools Express or Reason Essentials is not comparing Apples with Apples (forgive the pun). One could also argue, as many PC Emagic users did at the time, that Logic does come with a hardware dongle… a Mac!

Given these fact, is it reasonable to expect Avid to give the same features to every user when many competitors don’t? Is it reasonable to expect the same software without making the same investment?

We would be interested in hearing from both sides on this discussion.

Mike presents a show & tell review of the Cedar Studio for Pro Tools plug-ins and covers the DNS One, DeBuzz, DeClip and Adaptive Limiter 2 plug-ins.

After several (what seem to us unecessary) weeks, Avid have finally decided to revise their CPTK to Pro Tools 11 upgrade pricing.

In an announcment this morning via the DUC they write…

“Hi folks, After considering your feedback, Avid is pleased to announce revised pricing for Complete Production Toolkit customers who wish to upgrade to Pro Tools HD 11 software. The pricing now matches the standard Pro Tools HD 11 software upgrade pricing.

Customers will be able to purchase these upgrades from the Avid store when Pro Tools 11 software is available for sale later in Q2:

Price (US MSRP)
PRO TOOLS 10 + CPTK to PRO TOOLS HD 11 $599
PRO TOOLS 9 + CPTK to PRO TOOLS HD 11 $999

Again, thanks for your input and commitment to the Pro Tools platform. We’re committed to serving you.”

Now, let’s wait to see the arrival of Pro Tools 11.

Ever wonder what it’s like to record at the world’s most famous recording studio? Or how a Grammy-nominated producer can pull the perfect performance out of any artist, including Katy Perry and OneRepublic?

Follow up-and-coming UK band Strangefruit’s every step—from preparation to the final mix—as they record a song at Abbey Road with multi Grammy-nominated producer Greg Wells.

• See what it’s like to record in the same studio as The Beatles, with some of the same gear.
• Find out what role Greg plays in the production, and why producers are vital.
• See how Pro Tools home recordings can make it into the final studio mix.
• Get tips at every stage, from mic selection and tracking, to mixing and refining sounds.

Sign up now to start watching and be alerted when the next episode is available.

The winner of the Revoice Pro vocal alignment software is Dave Holt from Tampa, Florida, USA.

Pro Tools PC have released a picture and a base price as well as more details…

• Intel Core i7 3770K 3.5GHz Unlocked
• 8GB DDR3 1600MHz RAM (upgradable to 32GB)
• 120GB SSD System Drive (upgradable to 480GB)
• 1TB SATA III Audio Drive (add up to 6 drives in total)
• Nvidia GT610 Graphics (upgradable to Quadro)
• DVDR/RW Optical Drive (Blu-Ray optional)
• From £1499 inc VAT
• Coming soon…..

They have said that US and International pricing to follow. If you are interested then you can sign up on their web site.

Our friends at Softube have kindly donated a Summit Audio Grand Channel plug-in which is awesome. Click on the image above to see it in all’s it’s magnificent glory!

Not wishing to mess around with long forms and hard questions, all you need is to complete the form below for a chance to grab this uber cool plug-in. No purchase necessary.

Please complete all fields. One entry per email address. You are entering for a chance to win one copy of a Softube Summit Audio Grand Channel, no cash alterntive. Judges decision is final and no correspondance will be entered into. By entering you are giving permission for either/or both Softube and Pro Tools Expert to contact you in the future. You can opt out at any time after the draw has ended, if you do so before it ends then you will be removed from the draw. Contest ends 16th June 2013.